Product Description
An anthology of fantasy stories selected by the eminent Medievalist and Fantasy scholar Tom Shippey, The Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories gathers together thirty-one tales brimming over with imagination. This rich and intriguing collection of fantasy stories features classic figures–the Devil, trolls and werewolves, sorcerers and dragons–that have long been a part of the human psyche. The authors of these marvelous tales draw upon a deep well of images, characters, and landscapes with great imagination and subtlety. Featuring writers as diverse as John Buchan and Mervyn Peake, Angela Carter and Terry Pratchett, this is an anthology for the newcomer and dedicated fan alike…. More >>
The Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories
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You cannot fault the stories selected here: we get a variety of them, all generally classics. I just can’t help it, though… this book is missing some kind of spark. Basically the introduction is nice, but not deeply informative. The stories themselves are neither introduced or postscripted. While, as I say, you cannot fault the selection, the selections are all too safe for my taste. Lovecraft, Dunsany, Howard, Pratchet. Okay, safe ground.
But there should have been some more risk taken here I think. James Branch Cabell instead of Dunsany, perhaps. Or Moorcock or LeGuin or Tanith Lee for Pete’s sake. But the stories are all good and a good introduction (if you need it) or good sampling if not.
Rating: 4 / 5
1. Reflections: Tom Shippey has tried to put together a book of stories from 31 of the most influential short story fantasy authors, while also paying attention to little known works. Does this collection stand on its own, or is it lacking something that would give it that ‘classic’ flavor?
2. Thematics: Shippey maintains that a major theme is sword versus sorcery, barbarian versus wizard, realism versus magic. How does each story show this?
3. Characterization: This collection contains some of the most lovable characters of all fantasy literature, including Conan, Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, Cohen, the Devil, and a whole plethora of individually crafted short story characters that are unforgettable. What is it that makes these characters so powerful?
4. Symbolism: Throughout all of the stories, mythology remains an important symbol. Nearly all of the stories hearken back to a previous time in which legends lived just as we live today. Would these stories stand on their own if that was taken away?
5. Authorship: Many of the stories represented are little known works, backshelf stories that have finally been given credit. Do these stories accurately portray the authors’ legacy?
Rating: 5 / 5
This book takes a look at fantasy in chronological order, taking books from different years from the 1880s up to Terry Pratchett in the 1990s. The editor gives an introduction to the subject, and some types, as well as a discussion of treatment of the genre over the years.
He also gives a useful bibliography of where some of the work in this anthology has come from, and suggestions for further reading, including osme criticism. So, even though the stories only average 3.37, that is worth bonus points on the rating scale, certainly.
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : The Demon Pope – Richard Garnett
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : The Fortress Unvanquishable Save for Sacnoth – Lord Dunsany
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : Through the Dragon Glass – Abraham Merritt
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : The Nameless City – H. P. Lovecraft
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : The Wind in the Portico – John Buchan
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : The Tower of the Elephant – Robert E. Howard
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : Xeethra – Clark Ashton Smith
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : Jirel Meets Magic – Catherine L. Moore
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : The Bleak Shore – Fritz Leiber
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : Homecoming – Ray Bradbury
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : See You Later – Henry Kuttner
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : Liane the Wayfarer – Jack Vance
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : The Desrick on Yandro – Manly Wade Wellman
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : The Silken-Swift – Theodore Sturgeon
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : Operation Afreet – Poul Anderson
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : The Singular Events Which Occurred in the Hovel on the Alley Off of Eye Street – Avram Davidson
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : The Sudden Wings – Thomas Burnett Swann
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : Same Time Same Place – Mervyn Peake
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : Timothy – Keith Roberts
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : The Kings of the Sea – Sterling E. Lanier
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : Not Long Before the End – Larry Niven
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : The Wager Lost by Winning – John Brunner
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : Lila the Werewolf – Peter S. Beagle
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : Johanna – Jane Yolen
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : The Erl-King – Angela Carter
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : Beyond the Dead Reef – James TiptreeJr.
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : Subworld – Phyllis Eisenstein
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : Bite-Me-Not or Fleur de Fur – Tanith Lee
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : The Night of White Bhairab – Lucius Shepard
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : Thorn – Robert Holdstock
Oxford Book of Fantasy Stories : Troll Bridge – Terry Pratchett
Pontiff or Devil, they aren’t sure which is worse.
3.5 out of 5
To kill an immortal ruler is easy, not.. First you need to kill the invulnerable dragon to get the invincible sword to get through the impenetrable fortress. The there is the whole won’t die thing to get around.
3 out of 5
Boxer rebellion acquisition of otherworldly artifact vistas.
3.5 out of 5
A traveller finds a city under the sand, and exploring, a doorway into it. He explores for a time, but strange noises start coming close:
“I fell babbling over and over that unexplainable couplet of the mad
Arab Alhazred, who dreamed of the nameless city:
That is not dead which can eternal lie,
And with strange aeons even death may die.”
He eventually makes it out.
4 out of 5
Flaming altar ruins.
3 out of 5
Conan is in thieving mode here. In a tavern, he is asking the assembled crowd of nogoodniks why no-one has stolen a famous jewel from this tower.
They tell him because it is guarded by some very nasty things.
He, of course, investigates, and meets a master thief attempting the same thing.
Humans, animals, a giant spider and a wizard are to be encountered, not to mention an alien.
2.5 out of 5
Xeethra should have listend to his uncle Pornos (he who should be careful with pronunciation) and behaved himself and not run off to make a deal with a demon for a soul.
2.5 out of 5
Having to rid herself of a wizard that has killed some or her men, Jirel finds worse, his own ruler, a sorceress.
4 out of 5
Lethal lizards’ master lopped.
3.5 out of 5
I want to feel the wind beneath my wings. Or I’ll cry.
3.5 out of 5
Overcopying extreme.
2.5 out of 5
Witchy Lith.
3 out of 5
John runs into a crimelord, tells him about a hill that is his namesake, and is volunteered to show him there. Apart from a hairy heffalump, monsters await Mr. Yandro.
3.5 out of 5
Virgin deception test, unicorn required.
3 out of 5
Witchwolf teamup success requires djinn psychology.
4 out of 5
Check if tempted, for a spell.
3 out of 5
Old winged guy wants friends, one of each flavour.
3.5 out of 5
Beauty is a beast, stoopid.
2.5 out of 5
Scarecrow animation gallivantin’ cancellation.
3.5 out of 5
Seaserpent turf defender succession deal.
4 out of 5
Once upon a time a swordsman battled a sorcerer. As was fairly de rigeur, really.
To paraphrase Guru Bob, ‘a good big barbarian with weapon will always beat a good little sorcerer when the magic goes away.’
4.5 out of 5
You better bet your life. Only not against a chaos defeating ageless sorcerer.
3.5 out of 5
If your girlfriend eats live canines, follow Paul Simon’s advice. Pick one.
3.5 out of 5
Venison viewing shot down.
3.5 out of 5
Forest Lord shagging will be the death of someone.
3.5 out of 5
Scattered sea woman scare.
4 out of 5
Metro mouse club.
3.5 out of 5
Flighty vamp, unflighty girl.
2.5 out of 5
Nepalese houseboy’s female possession flaming Khaalear out.
4 out of 5
Stony faced god botherer.
3 out of 5
Being a barbarian hero isn’t what it used to be.
3.5 out of 5
Rating: 4 / 5
I needed the book for school. The book contains a good amount of solid fantasy stories. The book is out of print now, so they’re harder to find.
Rating: 5 / 5
diverse collection of fantasy short stories, including heavyweights such as H.P. Lovecraft, Ray Bradbury, and Larry Niven as well as other lesser-known but skilled writers.
Some of the stories I just couldn’t get into, such as “The Erl-King” by Angela Carter, and some dragged on a bit. However, others I now consider among my favorite short stories, such as “The Nameless City”, my first taste of Lovecraft. Other favorites include “The Fortress Unvanquishable, Save for Sacnoth” written in 1908 by Lord Dunsany, “The Kings of the Sea” by Sterling Lanier, “Lila the Werewolf” by Peter Beagle, “Beyond the Dead Reef” by James Tiptree, Jr. and “Troll Bridge” by Terry Pratchett.
Rating: 4 / 5