Thongor alla fine del tempo

Thongor #5

by Lin Carter, Pierantonio Rumignani (translator), Tarcisio Pasquetti (illustrator)

Per molte notti Mardanaax, lo stregone mascherato, si era preparato a prendersi la rivincita su Thongor il potente, il giovane signore della Lemuria. Le cripte e le catacombe del palazzo in cui si era rifugiato dopo la morte degli altri maghi di Zaar avevano visto altre volte orribili scene di tortura e di dolore, ma mai nulla di così orripilante come i riti di magia nera con cui il druido infernale si preparava all'ora del suo trionfo. [...]''.

Genres: Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery, Fiction, Science Fiction

189 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1968

About the author

Lin Carter was an American author, editor, and critic best known for his influential role in fantasy literature during the mid-20th century. Born in St. Petersburg, Florida, he developed an early passion for myth, adventure stories, and imaginative fiction, drawing inspiration from authors such as Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert E. Howard, H. P. Lovecraft, and J. R. R. Tolkien. After serving in the U.S. Army, Carter attended Columbia University, where he honed his literary skills and deepened his knowledge of classical and medieval literature, myth, and folklore — elements that would become central to his work.
Carter authored numerous novels, short stories, and critical studies, often working within the sword-and-sorcery and high fantasy traditions. His own creations, such as the “Thongor of Lemuria” series, paid homage to pulp-era adventure fiction while adding his distinctive voice and world-building style. His nonfiction book Tolkien: A Look Behind The Lord of the Rings was one of the first major studies of Tolkien’s work and its mythological roots, and it helped establish Carter as a knowledgeable commentator on fantasy literature.
Beyond his own writing, Carter was a central figure in bringing classic and forgotten works of fantasy back into print. As editor of the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series from 1969 to 1974, he curated and introduced dozens of volumes, reintroducing readers to authors such as William Morris, Lord Dunsany, E. R. Eddison, and James Branch Cabell. His introductions not only contextualized these works historically and literarily but also encouraged a new generation to explore the breadth of the fantasy tradition.
Carter was also active in the shared literary universe of the “Cthulhu Mythos,” expanding upon the creations of H. P. Lovecraft and other members of the “Lovecraft Circle.” His collaborations and solo contributions in this genre further cemented his reputation as both a creative writer and a literary preservationist.
In addition to fiction and criticism, Carter was an active member of several science fiction and fantasy organizations, including the Science Fiction Writers of America. He frequently appeared at conventions, where he was known for his enthusiasm, deep knowledge of the genre, and willingness to mentor aspiring writers.
Though sometimes critiqued for the derivative nature of some of his work, Carter’s influence on the fantasy revival of the late 20th century remains significant. His combination of creative output, editorial vision, and scholarly enthusiasm helped bridge the gap between the pulp traditions of the early 1900s and the expansive fantasy publishing boom that followed.
Lin Carter’s legacy endures through his own imaginative tales, his critical studies, and the many classic works he rescued from obscurity, ensuring their place in the canon of fantasy literature for generations to come.

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thongor is struck down by prior foe Black Mardanax, who last fled Zaar when the black city was destroyed.
Thongor goes on a quest of the gods of his own to get back to the land of the living.
Meanwhile, his kingdom is in turmoil being run by the devious Dalendus Vool who plans on wedding Thongor’s wife Sumia who has been thought controlled by Mardanax.
On his own adventure, Charn Thovis rescues Thongor’s son Thar and goes through numerous trials of his own.
Carter weaves an amazing tale literally across time and space and provides a chapter at the end on Lemuria and its history and how it played into the entire Thongor collection.

[Derek · Rating 2 out of 5]

It reads as a straightforward adventure, except for the strange bag grafted to its side that is Thongor's spiritual journey through the afterlife, which is a real shift from the rest of the series.

As a ramp-up, the story barely sketches the escape of Mardanax the Black Druid from the destruction of the city of Zaar. He traverses a hostile continent, through enemies and vicious creatures without his instruments of power all the way to the city of his enemies, in order to enact an intricate plan of revenge. Sadly the author doesn't share this adventure, which sounds a lot more interesting than the one actually written.

[Antonio · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this particular novel what really got my attention was the imaginative way in which the author describes Thongor's journey trough the afterworld. Great read.

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice quick and easy read. Good fantasy series. Recommended

[J.W. Wright · Rating 2 out of 5]

The diabolical black magician Mardanax, the sole survivor of the demonic and wicked city of Zaar, has had his revenge at last. Thongor, Grand Sark of Lemuria, is dead. Meanwhile, the Grand Sarkaja, Sumia, the grieving wife of Thongor, is placed under a dark spell and doomed to wed Mardanax’s chosen puppet ruler, who will undo all of Thongor’s policies, and place the capital city of Patanga in total darkness. While Thongor’s spirit wanders the Shadow Realm, a resistance is secretly and slowly being forged against the dastardly usurper and murderer of the king…..

  On reading the synopsis of this installment in Lin Carter’s Thongor Series, and also having really enjoyed finishing the previous volume in the saga, I was expecting this to be an enjoyable episode. With Thongor now wandering the Shadowlands, and, inevitably ending up at the end of time, I was expecting a dark, trippy, weird adventure in the vein of Clark Ashton Smith and Michael Moorcock. Sadly, the reality was this was actually the weakest book in the series. Thongor’s journey through prehistory to the end of time is interesting, and the and adventure of the protagonists among the pirates of Tarakus had its moments, but, as usual from what I’ve read of the Thongor Series by Carter, his ideas are exciting, but they are more often than not poorly executed and lacking. The ending was also completely rushed and lackluster.
  I’ll continue reading the series with Thongor Fights the Pirates of Tarakus and the stories that are collected in Young Thongor and The Sword of Thongor, but I’m really not holding out a lot of hope here for the remainder of this series. And I certainly don’t plan on purchasing the latest, recently released novel, “Thongor Versus the Underground World” by Robert M. Price. Supposedly it is taken from the notes of Lin Carter, and has a really surprising ending, but $18 is far too steep an asking price for a 100-page book. In fact, I doubt the Thongor Series will any longer take up space on my bookshelf after I finish it, as its re-readablity quality is very low.
   I give Thongor at the End of Time by Lin Carter a 2.5 out of 5.

[Aksel Erzinclioglu · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most fantastical installment of Thongor's journey to date! So this was certainly one of my favourites in the series so far. If you're in the mood for something quick and easy and fun then this is absolutely what you want (though if you've not read any, I would recommend starting for the beginning) it's an easy reading, fun filled sword and sorcery novel that really doesn't take too much to get through. (There is also the bonus of the Appendix where Lin Carter talks about where he got his inspiration and it's actually well worth a read)

[Christian Doherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imaginative and well-written story of two warriors encountering the trials and tribulations of a lost world. Lin Carter is an excellent writer!

[Bumex 4Breakfast · Rating 3 out of 5]

unabashedly stat padding my book count with this one

[Tôpher Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the best Thongar books and literary light entertainment of an swashbuckling sort.

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the weakest of the Thongar books. Definitely no more than 2 and a half stars.