The Black Book of Clark Ashton Smith

by Clark Ashton Smith

Illustrated by Andrew Smith.

Genres: Fantasy, Weird Fiction, Horror

141 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Clark Ashton Smith was a poet, sculptor, painter and author of fantasy, horror and science fiction short stories. It is for these stories, and his literary friendship with H. P. Lovecraft from 1922 until Lovecraft's death in 1937, that he is mainly remembered today. With Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard, also a friend and correspondent, Smith remains one of the most famous contributors to the pulp magazine Weird Tales.

His writings are posted at his official website.

Reviews

[Leothefox · Rating 5 out of 5]

A backdoor into Klarkash-Ton's brain, with loads of footnotes.

Most of this is straight from a notebook that Smith used for 30 years, so it's naturally a mixed bag. There's ideas for horror and sci-fi stories, some random concepts, musings, and tons of poetry stuff.

At one point you get Smith's prospective blurbs to advertise a collection of his stories in which he's careful to say “Not for action-hounds”. It's nice to know he was well aware that readers of “Two-Gun Bob” might not all dig his stuff.

“The Black Book of Clark Ashton Smith” is sort of a buffet, with plenty of good stuff to find if you pick through it. Fans of his poetry won't be disappointed, as there is tons of it here. There's also two bits at the end where George F. Haas recounts visiting older Smith at his shack.

In spots Smith also lists series and titles, and there are copious footnotes explaining which correspond with finished stories. In fact, the notes get a little excessive.

This isn't the same as the kind of entertainment you'd get reading a collection of Zothique stories, but it is interesting for fans of Smith to dig into his idea mill.

[Debra]

Stephen King recommended book as noted in Chapter 9 of Berkley's 1983 paperback edition of Danse Macabre.

[Vanlilith]

Charles Beaumont

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weird and creepy. It is loaded with lots of fascinating ideas though. =)