The City Beyond Play

by Philip José Farmer

When Wilson Gore arrives in the Barony of Scadia, all he really knows is that the place is an enclave devoted to the recreation of the Middle Ages as they should have been—a refuge for hardcore individualists and historical costume enthusiasts, whom the crowded utopia of the twenty-second century is glad to see the back of. Soon dubbed "Will Son of Gore," Gore finds himself at odds with arrogant knights, a wicked Duke, mad forest outlaws, pernickety Byzantine bureaucrats, a witch, cybernetic dragons, enigmatic women of the court and the wilds, and a social system in which anyone can rise to the top—or, just as likely, leave his bones mouldering by the roadside. All is not well in the land of Scadia, as Gore discovers after fixing his lustful gaze on the beautiful Lady Melisounde—competing for her hand, he ends up fighting the best and most treacherous warriors in the land, one of whom, the Knight of the Red Gauntlet, is far more, and far less, then he seems . . .

112 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Philip José Farmer was an American author, principally known for his science fiction and fantasy novels and short stories. He was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, but spent much of his life in Peoria, Illinois.

Farmer is best known for his Riverworld series and the earlier World of Tiers series. He is noted for his use of sexual and religious themes in his work, his fascination for and reworking of the lore of legendary pulp heroes, and occasional tongue-in-cheek pseudonymous works written as if by fictional characters.

Reviews

[Mathew Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to have this hobby that is not what you call ‘run-of-the-mill’, but not so unusual as most people think. I was a recreationalist. I spent untold hours, imagination, energy and money fashioning equipment, garb, costume and accoutrements so that I could walk across the buffet of Medieval History and pick and choose what I and a gathering of like minded fans wanted to recreate. Armor of lighter steel that didn’t rust, stainless steel chain mail turned by a power drill and cut with a band saw so the edges were clean and the patterns didn’t snag. No rust on our weapons, with welds and joints all strong, fashioned by the modern craftsmen with better means. Our cloth may have been cotton instead of wool and we may have used machines to surge the edges and make the stitches even and strong, but the patterns and fashion was straight out of the history books.

In the midst of some tournament or war, someone would turn to someone else and say, "Wouldn't this be really great if we could just live like this?" Yeah, camping in costume. Acting noble before getting in our modern day carriages and cutting each other off as if we had never heard of chivalry. In the end, it wasn't real, as we had to often remind some of our co-recreators. But what a nice dream for a moment.

And then there is the co-authored novella by Danny Adams and Philip José Farmer. I have read The City Beyond Play twice now. It was more entertaining and captivating the second time because I could imagine what I used to enjoyed when I actually swung a sword at an opponent and heard the ring of metal against metal and the smell of steel as it sparked against my opponent's weapon leaving that faint trail of smoke.

I could imagine being the characters. I came to like the protagonist as I learned his back story and admired his drive to make something in a world that lived by different rules. This is a story that takes place in the not too distant future, when the world has evolved and parcels of land are granted to groups who will re-invigorate the damage done by the post-modern efforts of getting to a life of plenty. In the process, someone makes up a place with laws that mimic the medieval recreation games. If you want to live there, then you only have to follow the rules. There is plenty for everyone. If you wish to be an artisan or 'peasant', great! You have a nice place to live, you get indoor plumbing, and you get to skip draught and the plague. Nice work when you can get it. All you have to do is bow to the guys who are ready to fight for titles and some nicer accommodations. The rest of the feudal structure is left behind and modified with a modern application of justice and law. No pillaging the villagers. No rapine and molesting the peasants. If you do you will answer to the undefeated law enforcer and that keeps everyone on track.

Knights fight dragons, combat each other for nicer castles and better titles, and anyone can aspire and gain the crown to become King and Queen for a term.

But our main character was not born in the Kingdome. He has a past from which he is trying to hide. He got into the Kingdome and is trying to start a new life. And having figured out the rules of this medieval dream gone haywire, he sees a chance of making something out of this situation. The rest of the story follows. And so we go to our scattered bodies with the added style and consistent handling of Mr. Farmer's Nephew, Danny Adams. The collaboration works, and we are left with a tale that is too good to end. I found myself wanting to stay and explore the various aspects of this world and to plunge into the back story. Shoot, I wanted to go and visit.

In my opinion, once you have tasted the offerings of Scadia, you may very well want more. Mr. Farmer was fond of expanding his worlds as he made them. With his passing, and looking over the various collaborations he had in the past, I wonder if there isn't some further or prior adventures to be had? Thieves World anyone? I recommend you get the book and read it. I hope you lose yourself and come back wanting more. I know I did.