In the Shadow of Boulder Ridge

Clark Ashton Smith, a lifelong Californian from Auburn, drew inspiration from the Sierra Nevada's beauty to craft his imaginative worlds. His works transport readers to fantastical realms like Zothique, Averoigne, Hyperborea, and Xiccarph, reflecting an otherworldly essence that suggests he belonged to a universe beyond our own. Smith's unique blend of local influence and cosmic creativity sets him apart as a significant figure in speculative fiction.