Discoveries in Fantasy

by Lin Carter (Editor)

This volume presents rare and wonder-filled works by Ernest Bramah, Donald Corley, Richard Garnett, and Eden Phillpotts.

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories, Speculative Fiction, Anthologies, Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

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

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another example that Lin Carter discussing / curating / editing literature is very different from Lin Carter writing / excreting literature. The authors here were near-forgotten in 1972, each has a distinctive style or voice that may or may not resonate with the reader, and all have an eye toward satire.

Ernest Bramah's orientalism may or may not wear thin in larger samples. His work is best interpreted as being pure fantasy that is only superficially Asian, with dialog that is convoluted without being particularly foreign or non-English. But for this selection, the bones of the stories are solid.

Richard Garnett was more obviously humorously satirical, with obvious targets of the human condition.

Donald Corley was inventive in ways the others were not. There is light suggestions of culture, history, and politics trailing from the stories, and they are not conspicuously based on historical sources. "The Song of the Tombelaine" in particular seems an "imaginary world" story according to Carter's criteria. It also was a standout in being singularly brutal, turning dark in a surprising number of ways.

Eden Philpotts's "The Miniature" was...long. Carter correctly pegs it into a sort of Olaf Stapledon story suggestive of The Star Maker but based on having a Greek chorus of Greek gods as both creators and observers of earthly events. But the detachment is 'ironic and hipster' rather than Stapledon's 'profound and unearthly'. I wonder at Philpotts's message, which contains ironies about a dispassionate, highly rational society.

[Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book struck me as a truly remarkable collection. Ever since reading Carter's selection of forgotten author's a summer ago I have constantly wished there were more readily available editions of works by the four authors collected herein.

The collection begins with a couple of selections from the longer works of Ernest Bramah. At the time I had previously read Kai Lung's Golden Hours and was unimpressed; consequently I didn't take the time to fully appreciate his presence in this book. That said, I have since revisited Bramah in the form of his novella "The Transmutation of Ling" (extracted from "The Waller of Kai Lung" in the Carter collection Great Short Novels of Adult Fantasy Volume II) and found it much more to my liking. Like Garnett and Phillpotts, Bramah's writes with tongue firmly in cheek and his work is always amusing. My initial problem must have been that one must read him with a clear and focused mind as his style dazzles with its beauty and his faux-Oriental dialogue, replete with endless kowtowing and references to ancestry, should be savored- not skimmed!

Bramah is followed by two passionate tales by Donald Corley. If his other writings are a pristine and heart wrenching as the "The Bird with the Golden Beak" and "The Song of the Tombelaine" his omission from the literary canon, or at least the annals of fantasy, is an outrage. I teared up at the conclusion of "The Bird with the Golden Beak" which is akin to the best stories from The Thousand and One Nights. Ever since it has been a source of infinite chagrin that Carter never got around to selecting the other fantastic stories authored by Corley for the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series. I really must get my hands on his collections someday.

Corley is succeeded by two witty and altogether much more light-hearted stories by Richard Garnett. Garnett's stories are perfect for lovers of fantasy, mythology, esotericism, and/or religion as the characters are saints, philosophers, magicians, and gods. (He reminds me just a little bit of the much more prolific James Branch Cabell.) "The Poet of Panopolis" tell the story of how Nonnus, the titular poet, came to write both a paraphrase of the Gospel of St. John and an epic poem dedicated to Dionysus at a time when the two deities quite contentious. "The City of Philosophers" tell the tale of how Plotinus' dream fell apart due to the many vices of mankind. Both stories herald the defeat of paganism (which is in keeping with the title of the collection that both are found in The Twilight of the Gods) by Christianity in a manner that is ambiguous and amusing. I have since read other stories by Garnett, his work is commonly available online, and it holds up to the examples here. If you enjoy these stories find the time to read the hilarious "Demon Pope."

The collection is completed with Eden Phillpotts' little romance of creation "The Miniature." Atop the trans-dimensional setting of Olympus the gods decide to begin existence (the miniature of the title) and watch as it unfurls across the cosmos. I remember that Zeus and Athena are the only two who seem to truly care about their work and that the story lent itself to Qabalistic interpretation. I have sought out other works by Phillpotts with some fervor so he must have been my favorite.

So far this has been my favorite antholoy prepared by Carter for Ballantine and I cannot recommend it enough.

[Fraser Sherman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wonder if this anthology wasn't intended as the equivalent of a film trailer, as Carter says in the book that he hopes to publish the various authors as part of the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series. Ernest Bramah is the only author who actually made it (two books of his fantasy-China stories); the two stories here are typical of his whimsy and style (after observing one beauty "the most celebrated picture-maker of the province burned the implements of his craft and began life anew as a trainer of performing elephants"), though they're not his best work. Richard Garnett steals the show with two stories from his "Twilight of the Gods" (which I promptly downloaded); Donald Corley's two fantasies didn't work for me but that's more my mood than Corley's fault. The only complete loser is "The Miniature" which I remembered as breathtaking but on rereading found more didactic than clever.

[Randy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like most anthologies this a bit of a mixed bag. Truth to tell, I haven't read this book since the 80's and if memory serves me I didn't like the Philpot or the Corey stories but this was the books that latched me onto Ernest Bramah the creator of the Kai Lung stories. There's only a handful of them but they are all terrific. So that's why I give this 3 stars. Perhaps I should re-read this book and see whether any of the others have improved with age.

[Craig Herbertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carter deserves a knighthood or whatever for introducing a remarkable number of people to these wonderful tales.