The Last Emperor of Gladness - Whispers of Joy and Memory: A Collection of Interconnected Short Stories

By: Blake, Alden

The Last Emperor of Gladness is a poetic and haunting collection of ten interconnected short stories that explore the fragile nature of joy in a fractured world. Through vivid, evocative characters and richly imagined settings, Alden Blake examines the many faces of happiness-childhood wonder, fleeting romance, artistic obsession, and quiet rebellion-each story weaving a thread of longing, memory, and loss.

At the heart of the collection is the mysterious figure known only as "The Last Emperor of Gladness," a metaphorical presence who appears and disappears throughout the tales, symbolizing the elusive but enduring power of gladness in modern life.

From a boy building a city of newspaper scraps to a train where passengers forget their pasts, from whispered names in smoke to a rebellion against a world that has outlawed emotion, these stories invite readers to reflect on the resilience of the human spirit and the small, defiant moments of joy that light even the darkest times.

Rich in atmosphere and emotional depth, The Last Emperor of Gladness is a celebration of memory, identity, and the quiet resistance of hope.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0F9GVTTZ9
• ISBN13: 9798284719107
• Release Date: May 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 186 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"