The Purple Cloud

The Purple Cloud is an apocalyptic novel by British writer M. P. Shiel, first published in 1901. The book tells the story of Adam Jeffson, who discovers a mysterious and deadly purple cloud whilst on an expedition to the North Pole. The deadly cloud brings about the end of humanity as we know it and Jeffson, the seemingly lone survivor, descends into a type of madness, burning cities for the fun of it including Paris, Bordeaux, London, and San Francisco, declaring himself monarch of the world, and constructing a huge golden palace to honour himself. H. G. Wells called the book 'brilliant' and H. P. Lovecraft said the novel was 'delivered with a skill and artistry falling little short of actual majesty.' A film adaptation of The Purple Cloud was made in 1959 called The World, the Flesh and the Devil.