The Black Gondolier: & Other Stories

Name: The Black Gondolier: & Other Stories
Price: 21.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781497642164

✍️ Fritz Leiber

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$21.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A curated collection of Fritz Leiber's supernatural horror stories spanning fifty years.

This volume gathers difficult-to-find tales from across Leiber's career, edited by John Pelan and Steve Savile. It bridges the gap between early Weird Tales pulp fiction and later small-press publications. The book highlights the author's versatility in the weird tale genre, showcasing works that have remained virtually unobtainable for decades. By including both well-known entries and rare pieces, it provides a complete overview of his contributions to horror and fantasy literature.

Key Themes

supernatural horror weird tales small-press magazines

Literary Context

Fritz Leiber was an SFWA Grand Master and Hugo and Nebula Award winner. This 2014 Open Road Media edition compiles his best horrific tales, many previously unobtainable, spanning over fifty years of his career as a master of the weird tale.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

H.P. Lovecraft · Clark Ashton Smith · Algernon Blackwood · Robert Bloch

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Open Road Media 📅 2014 📖 300 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781497642164

📝 Description: The Black Gondolier: & Other Stories

Fritz Leiber, a Grand Master of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and winner of both Hugo and Nebula awards for his Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser novels, presents a curated selection of supernatural horror tales in this volume. The collection spans over fifty years of his career as an acknowledged master of the weird tale, bringing together stories that have been difficult to find for decades. This edition, edited by John Pelan and Steve Savile, offers a comprehensive look at Leiber's enduring influence on the genre. Readers will encounter tales from various periods, including early works like "Spider Mansion" and "The Phantom Slayer," which originally appeared in Weird Tales. The book also features more recent stories such as "Lie Still, Snow White" and "Black Has Its Charms," sourced from rare small-press magazines. This organization allows fans to trace the evolution of Leiber's style across different eras of horror fiction. The volume includes a table of contents that lists these specific chapters, providing clear navigation through the author's diverse bibliography. This collection suits readers who appreciate classic weird tales and those interested in the historical development of horror literature. It may not appeal to those seeking contemporary mainstream horror or fast-paced thrillers. Instead, it offers a steady, atmospheric experience rooted in mid-century pulp traditions and later small-press experimentation. The inclusion of previously unobtainable stories makes this a valuable resource for dedicated collectors and scholars of the genre.

💎 Our verdict on The Black Gondolier: & Other Stories

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

This curated selection successfully bridges the gap between early pulp origins and later small-press publications, offering a comprehensive look at Leiber’s versatile career. The organization allows readers to trace the evolution of his style across different eras, highlighting works that have been virtually unobtainable for decades. It excels in providing a steady, atmospheric experience rooted in mid-century horror traditions, appealing strongly to those who appreciate classic weird tales and historical development in the genre. While it may not suit readers seeking contemporary mainstream horror or fast-paced thrillers, it stands as a significant contribution for enthusiasts of supernatural fiction. The inclusion of rare pieces alongside established works makes this volume an indispensable addition to any serious collection of dark fantasy.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

This collection is essential for readers who appreciate the historical evolution of the weird tale and seek to trace an author's stylistic development across fifty years. It offers a unique opportunity to access difficult-to-find tales that have remained unobtainable for decades, providing a comprehensive overview of Leiber’s contributions to horror and fantasy. Fans of classic pulp fiction will find value in seeing how early Weird Tales stories connect to later small-press works. The volume is particularly suited for those interested in the atmospheric and psychological depths of supernatural horror rather than fast-paced action. By gathering both well-known entries and rare pieces, it serves as a vital resource for understanding the genre's nuances and the author's enduring influence on dark fantasy literature.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

This curated selection successfully bridges the gap between early pulp origins and later small-press publications, offering a comprehensive look at Leiber’s versatile career. The organization allows readers to trace the evolution of his style across different eras, highlighting works that have been virtually unobtainable for decades. It excels in providing a steady, atmospheric experience rooted in mid-century horror traditions, appealing strongly to those who appreciate classic weird tales and historical development in the genre. While it may not suit readers seeking contemporary mainstream horror or fast-paced thrillers, it stands as a significant contribution for enthusiasts of supernatural fiction. The inclusion of rare pieces alongside established works makes this volume an indispensable addition to any serious collection of dark fantasy.