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Beyond the Golden Stair
Paperback book
210 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1948
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 12, 2016
As an author, Hannes Bok was a fine illustrator. Which isn't meant entirely as a negative -- some of his descriptive passages were well-wrought and vivid.
So we begin with Hibbert, in jail for reasons not entirely his own fault, who gets freed in a jailbreak by his thuggish cellmate Scarlatti and hooks up with Scarlatti's accomplice, Burks (the brains, relatively speaking) and squeeze, Carlotta. And they end up in Florida swampland where they find a ruined staircase to nowhere, except then a blue flamingo flies by (hence the book's original, and rightly altered, title, The Impossible Flamingo) and suddenly the stairs lead up into the sky to ... somewhere?
Specifically, they lead to Khoire, kind of an otherdimensional realm inhabited by powers who keep watch on mankind and now have to figure out how to deal with their not-entirely-benign visitors. Oh, and Khoire has a distressing habit of Changing your outside to match your inside ...
Reasonably-competent Merrittesque lost-race adventure, with more than a smattering of otherdimensional forces and mystical powers.
So we begin with Hibbert, in jail for reasons not entirely his own fault, who gets freed in a jailbreak by his thuggish cellmate Scarlatti and hooks up with Scarlatti's accomplice, Burks (the brains, relatively speaking) and squeeze, Carlotta. And they end up in Florida swampland where they find a ruined staircase to nowhere, except then a blue flamingo flies by (hence the book's original, and rightly altered, title, The Impossible Flamingo) and suddenly the stairs lead up into the sky to ... somewhere?
Specifically, they lead to Khoire, kind of an otherdimensional realm inhabited by powers who keep watch on mankind and now have to figure out how to deal with their not-entirely-benign visitors. Oh, and Khoire has a distressing habit of Changing your outside to match your inside ...
Reasonably-competent Merrittesque lost-race adventure, with more than a smattering of otherdimensional forces and mystical powers.
May 24, 2022
The first question of course is "who put this John D MacDonald prison-escape thriller at the front of this A. Merritt homage?"
You see reviews that say things along the lines of "Bok writes with an artist's eye"--Lin Carter does in the introduction--but it is more than that. Bok picks his words economically to maximum effect instead of burying the reader in description as his idol Merritt might have done. Characterizations are careful, especially as those characterizations later figure into the expected non-ironic twists.
And eventually the adventurers enter the extradimensional realm and are Shown Things, and Bok really lets loose with synesthesia effects and dimensional folding tricks and exquisitely described scenes of visual interest.
The well-telegraphed ending is never really in doubt and has all the usual moral tropes: the protagonist's and antagonists' insides are revealed, true love shines through, but the protagonist cannot remain.
You see reviews that say things along the lines of "Bok writes with an artist's eye"--Lin Carter does in the introduction--but it is more than that. Bok picks his words economically to maximum effect instead of burying the reader in description as his idol Merritt might have done. Characterizations are careful, especially as those characterizations later figure into the expected non-ironic twists.
And eventually the adventurers enter the extradimensional realm and are Shown Things, and Bok really lets loose with synesthesia effects and dimensional folding tricks and exquisitely described scenes of visual interest.
The well-telegraphed ending is never really in doubt and has all the usual moral tropes: the protagonist's and antagonists' insides are revealed, true love shines through, but the protagonist cannot remain.
May 23, 2018
The author, known as an artist and illustrator of various pulp magazines, was also a fine writer of fantasy as exemplified by this novel, first published posthumously in its expanded form in 1970. In it, the prime character, John Hibbert, is a World War II veteran with a crippled leg, due to a war wound, who has wound up unjustly in prison due to betrayal by erstwhile business partners. His cellmate is a thug named Frank Scarlatti, who has a buddy named Burks who breaks them out and they flee into the Florida Everglades, on the way picking up Scarlatti's girlfriend, Carlotta. In the middle of things they discover a golden staircase guarded by a blue flamingo which Burks ends up killing, after which they ascend said staircase into another dimension of reality, as it were. Given the thuggish character of Scarlatti and to a lesser extent Burks, reading it felt like noir meets Fantasyland. But Hibbert meets Mareth of the Watchers and they fall in love. There are other significant characters they encounter as well, especially Patur. All in all, a great read for anyone who gets off on the Fantasy genre. Highly recommended.
February 13, 2024
Phenomenal and surreal, a scintillant gem of a book. As Lin Carter points out in his introduction, Bok's background as an illustrator comes through with a heavy emphasis on evocative visual setpieces.
October 11, 2007
Hibbert is a rather trusting soul, one of those who lets himself be conned right into prison. He is paired with a bruising hulk named Scarlatti, who keeps talking jailbreak. With the help of a man named Burks, the jailbreak is successful. Hibbert is brought along against his will, so he won’t blab to the authorities. Heading for the Florida Everglades, they hook up with Carlotta, Scarlatti’s girlfriend.
In the middle of nowhere, the four come across a golden stairway into the sky. They ascend, and find a giant pool which may be The Fountain of Youth, guarded by a blue flamingo. It attacks them, and doesn’t last long after several shots from Burks’ pistol. They ascend another stairway to a land called Khoire.
It is something like being inside an M.C. Escher drawing. They meet a man named Patur, who has each of them put a crystal mask to their faces, which shows their true feelings. They are told that they will change into whatever their true essence is within 24 hours, and that they cannot stay in Khoire. Burks volunteers to turn into a blue flamingo, to take the place of the one he destroyed. He’ll accept being on the doorstep of Khoire, and do whatever is necessary to get himself an invitation back to Khoire. Carlotta and Scarlatti experience their Change; it is not pretty, and they end up eaten by a large carnivore. Meantime, Hibbert has fallen head over heels in love with Mareth of the Watchers. His Change is relatively minor; he is still very much human. He returns to Earth, passing Burks the flamingo. Hibbert’s quest is to find those people, who cannot reveal themselves beforehand, who will help him do what is needed to get his own invitation to Khoire.
First published in greatly shortened form in 1948, this is an excellent piece of writing. Bok was best known as an artist and illustrator during the pulp era; this shows that he was also a fine writer. If the reader can find a copy of this novel, it is very much recommended.
In the middle of nowhere, the four come across a golden stairway into the sky. They ascend, and find a giant pool which may be The Fountain of Youth, guarded by a blue flamingo. It attacks them, and doesn’t last long after several shots from Burks’ pistol. They ascend another stairway to a land called Khoire.
It is something like being inside an M.C. Escher drawing. They meet a man named Patur, who has each of them put a crystal mask to their faces, which shows their true feelings. They are told that they will change into whatever their true essence is within 24 hours, and that they cannot stay in Khoire. Burks volunteers to turn into a blue flamingo, to take the place of the one he destroyed. He’ll accept being on the doorstep of Khoire, and do whatever is necessary to get himself an invitation back to Khoire. Carlotta and Scarlatti experience their Change; it is not pretty, and they end up eaten by a large carnivore. Meantime, Hibbert has fallen head over heels in love with Mareth of the Watchers. His Change is relatively minor; he is still very much human. He returns to Earth, passing Burks the flamingo. Hibbert’s quest is to find those people, who cannot reveal themselves beforehand, who will help him do what is needed to get his own invitation to Khoire.
First published in greatly shortened form in 1948, this is an excellent piece of writing. Bok was best known as an artist and illustrator during the pulp era; this shows that he was also a fine writer. If the reader can find a copy of this novel, it is very much recommended.
October 10, 2016
=== The discovery of a multidimensional moralistic fantasy world ===
Hannes Bok (1914-64) was a painter and general illustrator but he also wrote two books: ‘The Sorcerer’s Ship’ and ‘Beyond the Golden Stair' (first published as ‘The Blue Flamingo’ in abbreviated format). I found it difficult to like this book in its first half. The author goes to great lengths to provide mental pictures to objectify a fantasy world. It takes a lot of work to picture what is being described in such great detail. As the story moves along it requires the reader to retain an image of the setting in which events take place.
Thankfully there are only six role-playing characters in the plot, four from the earthly dimension and two from Khoire, a fantasy world beyond the golden star. These characters have their own agendas, the have little in common but find themselves dependent on each other or on Khoiran hospitality. By the end of the book each of them have met their fate or fulfilled their role in the quest for a higher soul destiny. Two chapters, nine and ten, titled ‘Mareth of the Watchers’ and ‘The Wisdom of Khoire’ are full of allusions to how beings from the higher planes view the failings of earth’s so-called civilization. The Watchers make attempts to pacify earth through emissaries who can enlighten members of society to be more spiritually progressive. I think the author had some good ideas he was trying to get across to the reader but he could have built on them by making the book much longer to develop those concepts.
Hannes Bok (1914-64) was a painter and general illustrator but he also wrote two books: ‘The Sorcerer’s Ship’ and ‘Beyond the Golden Stair' (first published as ‘The Blue Flamingo’ in abbreviated format). I found it difficult to like this book in its first half. The author goes to great lengths to provide mental pictures to objectify a fantasy world. It takes a lot of work to picture what is being described in such great detail. As the story moves along it requires the reader to retain an image of the setting in which events take place.
Thankfully there are only six role-playing characters in the plot, four from the earthly dimension and two from Khoire, a fantasy world beyond the golden star. These characters have their own agendas, the have little in common but find themselves dependent on each other or on Khoiran hospitality. By the end of the book each of them have met their fate or fulfilled their role in the quest for a higher soul destiny. Two chapters, nine and ten, titled ‘Mareth of the Watchers’ and ‘The Wisdom of Khoire’ are full of allusions to how beings from the higher planes view the failings of earth’s so-called civilization. The Watchers make attempts to pacify earth through emissaries who can enlighten members of society to be more spiritually progressive. I think the author had some good ideas he was trying to get across to the reader but he could have built on them by making the book much longer to develop those concepts.
July 10, 2022
This originally ran in Startling Stories in 1948, but it was a much condensed version. Because it was discovered after Bok died, we don’t know if the 1948 version was cut from this, or if this was expanded from that. Lin Carter, who championed the resurrection of Hannes Bok’s stories (as well as many others).
This is a classic “really fun read”. Bok creates a visually fascinating world beyond a magic stair in a sparkling pool in the depth of the Florida Everglades. If that makes you think “fountain of youth”, you’d be right, but the way Bok interprets that basic idea is very different.
Also very different is how Bok handles the tall, strong hero. His hero is neither tall nor strong. He has a game leg and is mostly dominated by an escaped felon for much of the book. He acts more like a “greatest generation” style hero than a classic science fiction hero.
The person who holds the role of who would normally be the sinister mastermind is also fascinating. Once they enter the magic world beyond the stair, his means of taking advantage of it is completely different from the felon’s.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the D&D spell “Mirror Image” came from this book. We know Gygax read Lin Carter, and this was part of a series of Carter’s classic resurrections. While escaping from danger, they run into a situation that looks a lot like Mirror Image. Very different, too, of course, but I could easily see the one in the other.
It’s possible from the ending (though in no way guaranteed) that Bok meant to also write a sequel. I would’ve loved to see if so.
This is a classic “really fun read”. Bok creates a visually fascinating world beyond a magic stair in a sparkling pool in the depth of the Florida Everglades. If that makes you think “fountain of youth”, you’d be right, but the way Bok interprets that basic idea is very different.
Also very different is how Bok handles the tall, strong hero. His hero is neither tall nor strong. He has a game leg and is mostly dominated by an escaped felon for much of the book. He acts more like a “greatest generation” style hero than a classic science fiction hero.
The person who holds the role of who would normally be the sinister mastermind is also fascinating. Once they enter the magic world beyond the stair, his means of taking advantage of it is completely different from the felon’s.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the D&D spell “Mirror Image” came from this book. We know Gygax read Lin Carter, and this was part of a series of Carter’s classic resurrections. While escaping from danger, they run into a situation that looks a lot like Mirror Image. Very different, too, of course, but I could easily see the one in the other.
It’s possible from the ending (though in no way guaranteed) that Bok meant to also write a sequel. I would’ve loved to see if so.
October 21, 2012
This is my second Hannes Bok (Not his real name) book. Another find at the time, Lin Carter of Ballantine got hold of a long-rumoured manuscript back in the early 70's. Bok was best known for his lush Sci-fi and fantasy artwork, but like most folks of genius was multi-faceted.
Beware, for this fantasy is very different from the regular sort: No dragons, knights, castles and so on. But it is a true fantasy, in a modern setting. The characters are multi-dimensional and interesting, even when you want to despise them. I can't say whether most readers will find the 'present-day' elements make the story more or less accessible. I got around it, as it was a refreshing change from my Dark Ages/Ancients stint I've been on mostly lately. The main character Hibbert is sympathetic, the love interests range from the sublime to the sick, and the Blue Flamingo in his multiple forms was the best prize of them all. Well worth finding and reading.
Beware, for this fantasy is very different from the regular sort: No dragons, knights, castles and so on. But it is a true fantasy, in a modern setting. The characters are multi-dimensional and interesting, even when you want to despise them. I can't say whether most readers will find the 'present-day' elements make the story more or less accessible. I got around it, as it was a refreshing change from my Dark Ages/Ancients stint I've been on mostly lately. The main character Hibbert is sympathetic, the love interests range from the sublime to the sick, and the Blue Flamingo in his multiple forms was the best prize of them all. Well worth finding and reading.
October 26, 2007
A book that deserves to find its way back into print; part Lord Dunsany, part Edgar Rice Burroughs. From when fantasy thought outside the box.
January 25, 2025
There is an interesting backstory to this novel: Bok was an artist who illustrated for many science fiction and fantasy magazines in the 1930s-40s. He tried to get a few novels published without much success. Beyond the Golden Stair was originally published in severely abridged form as The Blue Flamingo in Startling Stories in 1948. Years later, editor Lin Carter made it his mission to track down the original manuscript, originally titled The Impossible Flamingo. It was published posthumously in 1970, under the title Beyond the Golden Stair.
The novel follows four criminals: Hibbert (was duped by some "friends" into making bad choices), Scarlatti (Hibbert's huge and intimidating cellmate), Burks (Scarlatti's compatriot, the "brains") and Carlotta (Scarlatti's girlfriend.) To escape the law, the four set out into the Florida everglades in an old canoe. They stumble across a mysterious staircase in the middle of nowhere, leading into the sky.
Ascending the staircase, the four find a strange pool guarded by a blue flamingo. When they disturb the place, a golden light shines down from above and a second staircase appears, ascending even higher . . .
What follows is a bizarre fantasy with some incredibly vivid and dreamlike imagery. Khoire is a land where "thought and matter are one. Here, what you are within your hearts holds sway over whatever you may pretend to be!" (p. 59) When people speak, colorful flames appear at their lips, hair floats, gravity is different, and there are all manner of fantastical creatures.
The characters evolve in interesting ways. Burks actually has a backstory that moved me and showed surprising integrity.
There was stuff I didn't like. The whole point of this story is a morality tale, which gets a little tiring. Likewise, the entire idea that physical "beauty" should equal/reward your inner self is one that I find quite dull.
Hibbert, though overall a sympathetic character, is also kind of a creep for how obsessed he is over a pretty girl (Mareth.) Also, he has this weird attitude, especially early on, that because he dreamed about her he should be entitled to her. Ugh.
Overall though, I found this to be a very interesting read with lots of stunning fantasy imagery. The connections between sound and colour/light in Khoire seemed to be trying to evoke an almost synesthesia-type experience.
Also, the flamingo was cool.
The novel follows four criminals: Hibbert (was duped by some "friends" into making bad choices), Scarlatti (Hibbert's huge and intimidating cellmate), Burks (Scarlatti's compatriot, the "brains") and Carlotta (Scarlatti's girlfriend.) To escape the law, the four set out into the Florida everglades in an old canoe. They stumble across a mysterious staircase in the middle of nowhere, leading into the sky.
Ascending the staircase, the four find a strange pool guarded by a blue flamingo. When they disturb the place, a golden light shines down from above and a second staircase appears, ascending even higher . . .
What follows is a bizarre fantasy with some incredibly vivid and dreamlike imagery. Khoire is a land where "thought and matter are one. Here, what you are within your hearts holds sway over whatever you may pretend to be!" (p. 59) When people speak, colorful flames appear at their lips, hair floats, gravity is different, and there are all manner of fantastical creatures.
The characters evolve in interesting ways. Burks actually has a backstory that moved me and showed surprising integrity.
There was stuff I didn't like. The whole point of this story is a morality tale, which gets a little tiring. Likewise, the entire idea that physical "beauty" should equal/reward your inner self is one that I find quite dull.
Hibbert, though overall a sympathetic character, is also kind of a creep for how obsessed he is over a pretty girl (Mareth.) Also, he has this weird attitude, especially early on, that because he dreamed about her he should be entitled to her. Ugh.
Overall though, I found this to be a very interesting read with lots of stunning fantasy imagery. The connections between sound and colour/light in Khoire seemed to be trying to evoke an almost synesthesia-type experience.
Also, the flamingo was cool.
January 15, 2024
Definitely a book on the weirder side. I feel as though the story was pretty lacking, somewhat stiff transitions and character interactions sometimes. I think what really led me to like this book was the imagery. Bok is a descriptive powerhouse. I could see things so clearly in my mind and feel as though I were there. From the weird rooms in the other dimension to the everglades, he spares no expense at describing exactly what is there and how you should view it. I think that adds a level of magic to the story that would turn it into a great film.
The story is a bit on the boring end. Because of the long descriptions often times I found it harder to get into the actual plot. I found it somewhat basic, but I did like the end when everyone turned into their "true" selves. The big bad turning into a small sniveling coward because that's what he is. The clingy woman turning into a dog because she follows him around like one. I was a little more than confused about the main character turning into a macho-man. Part of me wonders if it's because of how he treated the alien girl (Ie: want sex from her, almost confrontational when she says she doesn't like him) that he turns into the macho-man, because secretly inside he's a douchebag.
Thank you Mr. Bok, for an interesting tale about higher-level beings and discovering the monster that lies within us. And also for the fun descriptions, the ones that made me feel as though I went to the everglades myself.
The story is a bit on the boring end. Because of the long descriptions often times I found it harder to get into the actual plot. I found it somewhat basic, but I did like the end when everyone turned into their "true" selves. The big bad turning into a small sniveling coward because that's what he is. The clingy woman turning into a dog because she follows him around like one. I was a little more than confused about the main character turning into a macho-man. Part of me wonders if it's because of how he treated the alien girl (Ie: want sex from her, almost confrontational when she says she doesn't like him) that he turns into the macho-man, because secretly inside he's a douchebag.
Thank you Mr. Bok, for an interesting tale about higher-level beings and discovering the monster that lies within us. And also for the fun descriptions, the ones that made me feel as though I went to the everglades myself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2020
My Dad sent me this book! It's a weird, out of print fantasy that he loved in the 60's. This book is full of highs and lows: Wildly imaginative descriptions of extra-dimensional beings and landscapes, and some amazing descriptive writing and good characterization on one hand. On the other, a pretty classist and misogynistic lens, plus tons of genre writing cliches like needless alliteration(?) and tons of exclamation points!!
October 15, 2022
Deeply derivative of Abraham Merritt's adventures of the 1910s and 1920s, drags a bit in the middle, but the descriptive writing is beautiful.
October 26, 2025
Poor mishmash of gangster story, unscientific sci-fi and fantasy. The only good part is the fantasy and that only comes in at the very end and is far too little, too late to rescue this book.
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