S.E.’s Comments (group member since Nov 01, 2012)

S.E.’s comments from the Sword & Sorcery: "An earthier sort of fantasy" group.

Anyone here just rewatching the movies? (which ever they may be)

or perhaps a theme if any book or magazine starting with "Tales..."

For July-Aug I am thinkin by Oron series by David C Smith may be a good topic. He just released Tales if Attluma (same universe-continent as Oron).

Hey Joy of Erudition. You can:
1- discuss using the spoiler tags that will hide the good stuff (available in the html help link-popup when you post)
2- discuss general thoughts without spoilers....perhaps lure someone else to try
3- add a review on the book's page, but tell us you did here

L.D. wrote: "Cigars ain't nothin'! Don't get me started on the Mesoamerican hot chocolate enemas.
Wasn't no Swiss Miss either. They liked it thick.
Frickin' love history. XD"

OMG..... barbaric "Mesoamerican hot chocolate enemas"

Now that's some sorcery!

Mary wrote: "Tobacco use was spread widely over the Americas, and given that they ranged all the way from civilizations to wandering tribes, some of them were at the barbarian stage."

You are correct, but I didn't know that! Cigars apparently have been around since the ~10th century Mayans (at least then, probably long before that). Fascinating.

lol! Joy proves me wrong

I'm pretty sure barbarians do not smoke cigars.

Skirmishers – Heroism on the History: Fantasy Battlefront.

Skirmishers is 50% historical fiction, 50% fantasy, a second volume from Perseid Press that chronicles heroism over the ages (the first being Dragon Eaters). There is enough Sword & Sorcery and melee to readily appeal to the crowd here (and several authors from this group contribute).

From ancient Turkey to modern-day Louisiana and even near-future, you'' get a dose of fighting from strange battle ronts. Hero(lines) range from teen-aged girls, peace-keepers, and gun-wielding soldiers!

Each author has their own style, from frenzied-pulpy-madness, to darkly humorous, to plain entertaining. Likewise, each time-period offers a different mythical aspect. Expect wondrous stories, very varied in style but all focused on the theme. Heroika II: Skirmishers is available now in Kindle version, and paperback soon.

Check out the tour guide on BlackGate.com (link)

I think the "barbarian" as a character type is often abused (or inconsistently presented).

Even in REH's "The God in the Bowl" Conan comes across as a relatively civilized sleuth (I know it was rejected in REH's lifetime). I also know REH liked to play on the idea that being civilized wasn't all it may be cracked up to be ... anyway, it is tough to both presents "the barbarian" as both...
(a) a simple-minded, fast-acting warrior who may often be amoral ... and also...
(b) a thoughtful person who does the right thing more than organized folk (from governments or religions), and those even all those learned/evil people (aka sorcerers).

So the question is...what does it mean to be a "barbarian"?

@Joy...Charles Gramlich would be a nice Sword and Planet host... I may bug him.

@LD we're about due for another Clonan theme. Kurt Brugel has been acting as custodian and champion.... we could tap him.

Thanks Clint and LD.
lol. Lazy or indecisive....you guys rock.

I hoped that some folks would have a favorite sub-genre or author they would like to champion...and are probably reading it/them anyway.

Caroline wrote: "I can't wait for it!"

I'm not familiar with the author.... but I adore the DMR collections.

Actually, just like Jack found unexpected comedy in The Lost World (Doyle).... I am finding unexpected comedy from Clark Ashton Smith in his Hyperborea tales from the Lost Worlds collection.

In both "The Tale of Satamphra Zeiros" and "The Door to Saturn", there is an over-abundance of poetic description (which I love)... and wonderful horror.... and true moments of hilarity. Both made me laugh out loud. Though quoting would also be spoiling too.... I may quote excerpts in a review later.

Anyone else finding unexpected delight?

I am enjoying Master Ultan spur the Lost World group read (man, he reads nonstop).

Anyway, I like the idea of rotating host(ess)s with a topic/author they like.
Does that resonate with you?

If you like the idea, or would like the opportunity, please chime in with a topic and volunteer.

We'll see if this takes root or not.

S.wagenaar wrote: "Just ordered a new release from Pulp Hero Press; Tales of Attluma by David C Smith. A collection of short S&S works set in his fantastic world of Attluma, these have not been in print for some 40 y..."

You beat me to the punch, Stan!
I just saw this on Facebook and ordered a copy.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/168...

BLURB:
Fascinating Tales from a Forgotten Era of Fantasy Fiction
A resurrected sorcerer grants the wishes of the desperate men who have returned him to life—but in ways none of them anticipates.

A prince makes a bargain with a barbarian criminal to travel into a lost world of violence and sorcery to save the life of a woman who may already be dead.

Marauders who attack a city devoted to a great goddess suffer her strange curse when she answers the pleas of her dying priestess.

The last survivors of an ancient continent confront evil at every step as they march beneath skies of endless darkness to reach the haven they hope will lead them to safety.

These tales and a dozen more by fantasy and adventure author David C. Smith appear in this unique collection. Out of print for more than 40 years, these stories were first published in the days of limited-circulation fanzines—the only avenue for new work created by the generation of writers who grew up in the shadow of the pulp magazines. The paperback reprints of those pulp stories in the late 1960s and early 1970s encouraged an entire generation of young writers to enlarge on that tradition of popular American storytelling. Now they are in print once more for a new generation of fantasy fiction enthusiasts.

L.D. wrote: "I'm going to second that Stackpole's novelization is better than the Momoa film it is based on. And I even like that film. From my understanding it was based on an earlier script that offers some c..."

Well I watched the 1982 Conan again... and also had my 2 Marvel Comic Adaptations beside me to compare. I can't find them specifically in Goodreads, but Michael L. Fleisher is attributed so I assume this is the combined version Conan the Barbarian. The comic was true to the movie for the most part. A few depictions of Osric's daughter are dead-on look-alikes to Princess Teegra from the Bakshi and Frazetta Fire & Ice movie.

I suppose I should track down Stackpole now...but I had in mind reading some Lost Worlds first...and then Campbells' Solomon Kane...

Joseph wrote: "Actually, CAS is one of my top half-dozen favorite authors (although all other things being equal, I do prefer the more fantasy/imaginary world stories (Zothique, Hyperborea, etc.) to the more conv..."

Oops. My apologies. Must have confused you with another S&S groupie. I'm a big CAS fan myself.

.How was Poseidonis, Master Ultan? I recall you being luke warm to CAS. I'm planning to hit Zothique soon. (a reread). However I also have a copy of Lost Worlds, a collection of several of CAS's worlds...
I could look into that and check out Poseidonis....I never been there.

Greetings Logan!