At the Edge of the World is another excellent collection of Lord Dunsany‘s short fiction, curated by that notable literary docent, Lin Carter. Dunsany’s prose is by turns, melancholy, enchanting, and elegiac, but always poetic. I’ve read some of these before, but Dunsany holds up tenaciously to re-reading. That one man contributed so much poignant… Continue reading Travel to the Edge of the World with Dunsany. Travel Director, Lin Carter.
Tag: Lin Carter
The Wizard of Lemuria, or Thongor the Bullet Point Barbarian
At this point complaining about the quality of Lin Carter’s fiction is beating a dead horse. Some of it is better than others. I happen to think his ersatz Dunsany is excellent. But in general, if you pick up a Carter book you know what you’re getting. Complaining about it is like going to Taco… Continue reading The Wizard of Lemuria, or Thongor the Bullet Point Barbarian
Wandering Dunsany’s “Beyond the Fields We Know.”
Beyond the Fields We Know is part of the peerless Adult Fantasy series, edited by Lin Carter. Carter curates and edits selections from Lord Dunsany and once again proves his editorial chops. This is an excellent collection and the editorial material isn’t merely filler. The collection starts with early Dunsany, printing his complete The Gods… Continue reading Wandering Dunsany’s “Beyond the Fields We Know.”
Swords Against Tomorrow: A Wickedly Sharp Collection of Yesterday
I can’t say I get the title. The rather generic — but perfectly acceptable — introduction by Robert Hoskins does not clarify. But what is important is not the title but the contents. And what contents! The great Poul Anderson leads off with a story I’ve never encountered before, Demon Journey. Apparently it was originally… Continue reading Swords Against Tomorrow: A Wickedly Sharp Collection of Yesterday
Tower at the Edge of Time. Not Precisely a Towering Achievement.
The indefatigable Lin Carter published a slender novel in 1968 titled Tower at the Edge of Time. I have been open in my admiration for Mr. Carter’s gifts as a scholar, editor, and stylistic imitator. I even enjoy, on occasion, his more independently innovative works. That being said…Well, let me just get into it. Tower… Continue reading Tower at the Edge of Time. Not Precisely a Towering Achievement.
Weird Tales Four, Plus Savage Journal Entry 49.
I picked up this book for the cover. I mean look at it. There’s a story in that artwork. Unfortunately that story isn’t in this book. Not even tangentially. There are other disappointments. It is haphazardly edited and printed. The introduction (which opens the book for a page at the front, then is continued at… Continue reading Weird Tales Four, Plus Savage Journal Entry 49.
The Year’s Best Fantasy Stories 4. Plus Savage Journal Entry 43.
At Howard Days 2023 I picked up a copy of Lin Carter Presents The Year’s Best Fantasy Stories: 4. I have the first volume, so the two make a nice pair on my shelf. Carter’s introduction is, characteristically, informative and interesting. He demonstrates once again the astonishing depth and volume of his reading. “But how… Continue reading The Year’s Best Fantasy Stories 4. Plus Savage Journal Entry 43.
Intro to Sword and Sorcery: Five Names You Should Know. Resurrected Post.
November 24, 2019 Intro to Swords and Sorcery: Five Names You Should Know Perhaps you are new to this planet, or have been living in a bomb shelter all your life with limited reading material. Maybe you recently stumbled upon a trove of Molly Hatchet album covers at a garage sale, with those paintings by… Continue reading Intro to Sword and Sorcery: Five Names You Should Know. Resurrected Post.
Flashing Swords! #4: Barbarians and Black Magicians. Truth in Advertising. Resurrected Post.
January 17, 2021 Flashing Swords! #4: Barbarians and Black Magicians. Truth in Advertising. Lin Carter presents yet another anthology in his stellar Swords-and-Sorcery series. This one is Flashing Swords! #4: Barbarians and Black Magicians. Is there more than alliteration fueling the subtitle? He’s certainly doubled the thematic possibilities. Let’s see. Lin Carter’s introduction is a mere… Continue reading Flashing Swords! #4: Barbarians and Black Magicians. Truth in Advertising. Resurrected Post.