|
|
|
The Dark World (Trade Paperback)
Paizo Publishing, LLC
by Henry Kuttner, with an introduction by Piers Anthony
Hailed as a “neglected master” by Ray Bradbury and “the best fantasy ever” by Marion Zimmer Bradley, Henry Kuttner has been an inspiration to science fiction and fantasy authors for generations. In The Dark World, Kuttner brings us his most enchanting adventure yet, the story of a World War II airman thrust into a weird and ominous realm of mutants and magic.
Edward Bond is not alone in his mind. Haunted by strange events during the war, he returns home to discover he now shares his body with his identical twin from an alternate dimension, the evil wizard Ganelon. Sucked through a portal to the Dark World, Bond finds himself trapped between two warring factions. On one side is the Coven: a werewolf, an immortal, and a beautiful witch eager to acknowledge Ganelon as their sinister ruler. On the other is the white sorceress Freydis and her band of forest rebels that want nothing more than to see the warlock’s head on a spike. Will Edward/Ganelon join with the rebels to release the oppressed world from the grip of a tyrannical, sacrifice-hungry god—or embrace the Coven to become the world’s greatest villain?
An undisputed fantasy classic from the author of Elak of Atlantis, Henry Kuttner's The Dark World once more takes its place in the Sword and Sorcery pantheon!
144-page softcover trade paperback
ISBN-13: 978-1-60125-136-7
About the Author
Ray Bradbury once referred to Henry Kuttner as "a neglected master... a man who shaped science fiction and fantasy in its most important years." Born in Los Angeles, Henry Kuttner (1915–1958) sold his first story, "The Graveyard Rats," to Weird Tales in 1936, the same year in which he wrote a fan letter to rising science fiction author C.L. Moore, mistakenly believing her to be a man. The two were married in 1940, and in the years that followed they collaborated constantly, publishing under at least 17 pseudonyms, most notably Lewis Padgett and Keith Hammond. Along with Elak of Atlantis and Prince Raynor, both of which were created before his marriage to Moore, Kuttner's most popular solo works were the Gallegher stories, tales about an inventor who could only build robots while drunk, and who upon sobering immediately forgot their purposes. As a friend of H.P. Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith, Kuttner also contributed several stories to the Cthulhu mythos. In addition to writing scripts for television in collaboration with Moore, Kuttner wrote several stories that have since been translated to film, most recently "Mimsy Were the Borogroves," released as The Last Mimsy. In the years since his untimely death from a heart attack at 43, Kuttner has been cited as an influence by everyone from Marion Zimmer Bradley to Roger Zelazny, and both Richard Matheson and Ray Bradbury have dedicated novels to him.
Note: This product is part of the
Planet Stories Subscription.
Usually ships from our warehouse
in
3 to 6 business days
Are there errors or omissions in this product information? Got corrections? Let us know at
webmaster@paizo.com.
Product Reviews
Average product rating:
 
(4.3)
based on
4
reviews
Sign in
to create or edit a product
review.
I've really enjoyed the Kuttner collections offer by Planet Stories so far. Although I enjoyed Elak of Atlantis a bit more, The Dark World was still a very enjoyable read. The explanation behind the world-hopping on this one was more plausible in these modern times than most sword-and-planet stories.
Kuttner was far ahead of his time.
I went to the internet immediately after finishing it to learn more about the author.
Kuttner's Dark World provides a short but gripping read. His protagonist Edward Bond/Ganelon makes the novel as the uncertain nature of his character's personality and shady memory keeps the action in suspense. His setting is evocative and replete with intriguing allusions to world myths and locations. An effective if not entirely original spin on the parallel world concept. The resolution is a touch contrived and feels that Kuttner could have used the elements he had in play a little more elegantly but nonetheless is still quite satisfying. Highly recommended, one of my favourites featured thus far in the Planet Stories line.
A novel that is definitely worthy of resurrection. Apparently Zelazny was influenced by this book in the writing of Amber, and you can certainly see why. A powerful man unsure of his memories is transported to another world, where he is not sure of his equally formidable allies or enemies, both male and female.
Unlike Corwin or Merlin, whom you are fairly sure of personally while reading that series even if you are not sure of their methods, the protagonist here is not so certain of character, which makes for an interesting experience.
A fantasy type setting with a science fictional explanation of mutants and energy (and also the introduction of Guns to Avalon, so to speak) for werewolf, vampire and sorcerer archetypes. There are those with counterparts on all worlds that exist, and Earthman Edward Bond has the Coven member Ganelon as his on the Dark World. However, while Ganelon is on the might makes right ruling side, Bond, when transported by the rebel sorceress threw in his lot with the rebels, as well as his knowledge of Earth warfare.
The Coven and its fading strength want Ganelon back, to influence the most powerful source on the Dark World, that of Lyr. So, with names there are overtones of other myths, and even through one of the Coven an Arthurian analogy that gives some more depth to this short novel.
Having read quite a large amount of Kuttner's SF type work, this is clearly one of his very best efforts.
The dual personality in the Dark World of the Bond influenced amoral Ganelon leaves you unsure right up until the end of what will happen, and perhaps even beyond.
A fine selection by Planet Stories, this volume.
Product Discussion
10
posts.
See all discussion for this product.
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I've updated the cover image and description to match the finished book.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
So is this a graphic novel or a expensive paperback?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I think it is technically called, quality print.
Russell Akred wrote:
So is this a graphic novel or a expensive paperback?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Russell Akred wrote:
So is this a graphic novel or a expensive paperback?
It's fiction in trade paperback form. (And a quick survey of the trades on my shelf shows that most of them are priced around $14, so it's by no means expensive for what it is.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This may help to clarify:
People from a comic book background are accustomed to the term "trade paperback" being used to refer to a collection of previously published comics, like Flaming Man #21-28.
However, the term is also used in "regular" book publishing for books that are of larger dimensions than a normal mass market paperback.
So, to be 100% clear... this is a prose novel, not a comic book or graphic novel.
Hope that helps!
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
PZO8016
|
|
|
|
|
Requests!,
2 hours, 47 minutes ago
by
Mairkurion {tm}
eBooks? ever?,
Yesterday, 06:54 AM
by
Durin1211
New Planet Stories Facebook Page!,
Thursday, 11:46 PM
by
Kruelaid
Do classic science fiction stories still matter?,
Thursday, 06:01 PM
by
Elflock
Summer 2010 Planet Stories Books Announced,
Thursday, 02:42 AM
by
Blue Tyson
Story I just started,
Wednesday, 04:20 PM
by
jjb1011jjb
Planet Stories Changes Format, Frequency, New Subscription Benefits!,
Fri, Oct 30, 2009, 08:26 PM
by
Seabyrn
Back issues,
Fri, Oct 30, 2009, 12:43 PM
by
l00py2
Before They Were Giants,
Thu, Oct 29, 2009, 12:27 PM
by
Russ Taylor
Scifi writing competition,
Fri, Oct 16, 2009, 09:15 PM
by
Seabyrn
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paizo Publishing Hires Rob McCreary as New Assistant Editor,
Oct 29, 2009
Paizo Publishing and King of the Castle Games to Produce Campaign Coins,
Oct 20, 2009
Paizo Publishing Moves Offices,
Aug 27, 2009
Paizo Partners with Reaper to Produce Pathfinder Miniatures,
Aug 12, 2009
Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook Sold Out!,
Aug 3, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vic Wertz
(Technical Director),
