The case of Charles Dexter Ward

"The Case of Charles Dexter Ward" by H. P. Lovecraft is a chilling tale set in the early 1900s that follows Charles Dexter Ward's descent into madness as he becomes consumed by his ancestor, Joseph Curwen, a figure shrouded in dark secrets. Ward, a young man from Providence, Rhode Island harboring a fascination with history and genealogy discovers a link to Curwen that ignites a dangerous obsession. This obsession unravels Ward's sanity, leading him down a horrific path involving witchcraft, alchemy, and ancient evils. The narrative opens with Ward confined to a mental institution after his sudden disappearance, hinting at the terrifying experiences he will endure as he seeks forbidden knowledge and blurs the boundaries between the natural and supernatural.