Has anybody read? - by Kainja on 08:01 28 Jan 2003
Has anybody here read a book called "Ghor Kin-Slayer?" This is what is called a round-robin novel. Basically, before he died Robert E. Howard had started a story about a character named Ghor, but he had only written a few pages or what could essentially be considered a chapter in a longer piece. Years later, the editor of the magazine Fantasy Crossroads persuaded a bunch of other writers to finish the book with each one adding a chapter to the tale. Karl Wagner added what became Chapter 2, and then other writers such as Moorcock, Charles Saunders, Van Vogt and Ramsey Campbell each added a chapter that built on the one previous to it.
Being a Howard fan and something of a completist, I picked up a copy of this book recently, which is available from Amazon, and read it. Even many of the writers are ones I like, and although the individual chapters are for the most part well written, I didn't think the whole think worked well as a book. It just never had any flow to it and I could never get interested.
I'd be curious as to whether anyone else has read the book, or if they've read any other kind of round-robin novel and what they thought of it.
Has anybody here read a book called "Ghor Kin-Slayer?" This is what is called a round-robin novel. Basically, before he died Robert E. Howard had started a story about a character named Ghor, but he had only written a few pages or what could essentially be considered a chapter in a longer piece. Years later, the editor of the magazine Fantasy Crossroads persuaded a bunch of other writers to finish the book with each one adding a chapter to the tale. Karl Wagner added what became Chapter 2, and then other writers such as Moorcock, Charles Saunders, Van Vogt and Ramsey Campbell each added a chapter that built on the one previous to it.
Being a Howard fan and something of a completist, I picked up a copy of this book recently, which is available from Amazon, and read it. Even many of the writers are ones I like, and although the individual chapters are for the most part well written, I didn't think the whole think worked well as a book. It just never had any flow to it and I could never get interested.
I'd be curious as to whether anyone else has read the book, or if they've read any other kind of round-robin novel and what they thought of it.
Has anybody read? - by Brad on 16:09 28 Jan 2003
I have not read it Kainja. The only Howard I read was a bunch of Conan books, way back when.
Back in the '80's I read a bunch of "shared universe" books. Short stories by different authors all set in the same city. Each story stood alone but there was generally some story arc that tied everything together. It was interesting to see how each one added a feature to the mythos and setting. There were a bunch of these books the title was "Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn" or something like that.
Okay I just checked, Thieves World: Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn Edited by Robert Lynn Asprin (That search is not an affiliate link.)
I have not read it Kainja. The only Howard I read was a bunch of Conan books, way back when.
Back in the '80's I read a bunch of "shared universe" books. Short stories by different authors all set in the same city. Each story stood alone but there was generally some story arc that tied everything together. It was interesting to see how each one added a feature to the mythos and setting. There were a bunch of these books the title was "Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn" or something like that.
Okay I just checked, Thieves World: Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn Edited by Robert Lynn Asprin (That search is not an affiliate link.)
Has anybody read? - by Kainja on 19:29 28 Jan 2003
I remember the Shared Worlds series you're talking about, Brad. I got them in the SF book club editons where they'd have three books in a single hardcover. They were great. I think th efirst one was called "Thieve's World" and was set in the city/town of Sanctuary. I really enjoyed those. The main difference with the round-robin Howard novel is that the setting was basically the same in the town of Sanctuary, but the characters were different. In "Ghor" the character was supposed to stay the same but I don't really think the writers succeeded in that.
The Thieves World series was the only shared world series I ever read. I think there were several others.
Robert Lynn Asprin lives in New Orleans now but I've never met him. He apparently is something of a recluse, though he is still writing from what I've heard.
I remember the Shared Worlds series you're talking about, Brad. I got them in the SF book club editons where they'd have three books in a single hardcover. They were great. I think th efirst one was called "Thieve's World" and was set in the city/town of Sanctuary. I really enjoyed those. The main difference with the round-robin Howard novel is that the setting was basically the same in the town of Sanctuary, but the characters were different. In "Ghor" the character was supposed to stay the same but I don't really think the writers succeeded in that.
The Thieves World series was the only shared world series I ever read. I think there were several others.
Robert Lynn Asprin lives in New Orleans now but I've never met him. He apparently is something of a recluse, though he is still writing from what I've heard.
Has anybody read? - by Arislyn on 09:01 29 Jan 2003
I loved the Thieves World books and still have most of them, though they are in poor condition. (They were second hand books to begin with and I've had them for many years). I had thought that they had stopped producing them and was rather surprised when I stopped into B&N last weekend and saw a new one on the shelf.
Now, I read something called "Forever After" by Roger Zelanzy (sp?) that seemed to be something of a round-robin. Much like the book you were talking about, it was one, continous story with persistant characters, but each author only dealt with their own character/s. So, it's seems kind of a mish-mash of the persistant world/story. So, basically, you had chapters dedicated to each character but all the characters knew each other and were working towards the same goal.
Does that make sense? Am I explaining it correctly?
I found it to be a great read but the constant change in voice/style kind of threw me. You expect that from a book of short stories, which is what Thieves World kind of is. But, when you are reading a continous story, it can be a bit jarring to have those changes. Overall, I don't think I like the round-robin style. Though, I will admit, there were some chapters that had me rolling with laughter!
I loved the Thieves World books and still have most of them, though they are in poor condition. (They were second hand books to begin with and I've had them for many years). I had thought that they had stopped producing them and was rather surprised when I stopped into B&N last weekend and saw a new one on the shelf.
Now, I read something called "Forever After" by Roger Zelanzy (sp?) that seemed to be something of a round-robin. Much like the book you were talking about, it was one, continous story with persistant characters, but each author only dealt with their own character/s. So, it's seems kind of a mish-mash of the persistant world/story. So, basically, you had chapters dedicated to each character but all the characters knew each other and were working towards the same goal.
Does that make sense? Am I explaining it correctly?
I found it to be a great read but the constant change in voice/style kind of threw me. You expect that from a book of short stories, which is what Thieves World kind of is. But, when you are reading a continous story, it can be a bit jarring to have those changes. Overall, I don't think I like the round-robin style. Though, I will admit, there were some chapters that had me rolling with laughter!
Has anybody read? - by Brad on 19:25 29 Jan 2003
You lose the consistant Voice in a round robin unless the editor does some heavy rewriting. With big name authors that is hard to do. The short stories seem to work better for that.
I used to er, "borrow" ideas from Thieves World for a game I was DM'ing at the time.
Now the shared mythos idea like Lovecraft and his friends wrote about can be interesting.
I think the horror/vampire writers like Poppy Z. Brite have been doing some shared world horror collections but I can't swear to it. They just might be short story collections.
I think Roger Zelazny died a couple of years ago. He wrote some really good books.
You lose the consistant Voice in a round robin unless the editor does some heavy rewriting. With big name authors that is hard to do. The short stories seem to work better for that.
I used to er, "borrow" ideas from Thieves World for a game I was DM'ing at the time.
Now the shared mythos idea like Lovecraft and his friends wrote about can be interesting.
I think the horror/vampire writers like Poppy Z. Brite have been doing some shared world horror collections but I can't swear to it. They just might be short story collections.
I think Roger Zelazny died a couple of years ago. He wrote some really good books.
Has anybody read? - by Kainja on 22:17 29 Jan 2003
I know poppy Brite edited a couple of vampire anthos called "love in vein." I have the first one, though I haven't read it. It looks like just a straight antho, though.
I liked Roger Zelazny quite a bit. He wrote some truly wonderful SF stories in his earlier days. One of my favorite chess and SF stories of all time is his "Unicorn Variation."
I read the first five of the Amber books. Got those in SF book club editoins as well. And I liked them a lot. For some reason I stopped reading that series after five, though I have a couple more of them laying around the house for some future date.
I know poppy Brite edited a couple of vampire anthos called "love in vein." I have the first one, though I haven't read it. It looks like just a straight antho, though.
I liked Roger Zelazny quite a bit. He wrote some truly wonderful SF stories in his earlier days. One of my favorite chess and SF stories of all time is his "Unicorn Variation."
I read the first five of the Amber books. Got those in SF book club editoins as well. And I liked them a lot. For some reason I stopped reading that series after five, though I have a couple more of them laying around the house for some future date.
Has anybody read? - by CorellianRogue on 01:20 30 Jan 2003
Yay! A new Thieve's World! I used to have all of the books, but lost them all years ago. Asprin is one of my favorite authors.
Yay! A new Thieve's World! I used to have all of the books, but lost them all years ago. Asprin is one of my favorite authors.
Has anybody read? - by Time Lady Judy on 03:01 10 Feb 2003
Hi Arislyn and Corellian-
Arislyn, can you list the Thieves World titles and who the primary author is for each title, in chronocological order please? I had the series too, until they fell apart, and my library has them, but they have them shelved by author, so they are scattered throughout the fiction section. Thanks
Corellian, in case you didn't know, there is a new Myth book. I just checked it out of my library. It is called Myth-ion Improbable.
Time Lady Judy
Hi Arislyn and Corellian-
Arislyn, can you list the Thieves World titles and who the primary author is for each title, in chronocological order please? I had the series too, until they fell apart, and my library has them, but they have them shelved by author, so they are scattered throughout the fiction section. Thanks
Corellian, in case you didn't know, there is a new Myth book. I just checked it out of my library. It is called Myth-ion Improbable.
Time Lady Judy
Has anybody read? - by CorellianRogue on 04:50 10 Feb 2003
Thanks, Judy. The "Myth" series is one of my favorites! It's great reading and often very funny.
Thanks, Judy. The "Myth" series is one of my favorites! It's great reading and often very funny.
Has anybody read? - by Arislyn on 18:24 10 Feb 2003
Hello, Time Lady Judy!
Give me a night to see if I can round them all up.
I thikn some of them may still be packed away in boxes that never got opened after my last move. (You know how that goes. After awhile, if the box does not contain something necessary to everyday living, it gets put in a closet or attic and you never see it again. :P )
I'll get you that list as soon as I gather them all.
Hello, Time Lady Judy!
Give me a night to see if I can round them all up.
I thikn some of them may still be packed away in boxes that never got opened after my last move. (You know how that goes. After awhile, if the box does not contain something necessary to everyday living, it gets put in a closet or attic and you never see it again. :P )I'll get you that list as soon as I gather them all.
Has anybody read? - by Kainja on 18:52 10 Feb 2003
Arislyn & Lady Time,
Here are The Thieve's World books, in order of publication. All were edited by Robert Lynn Asprin or by Asprin and Lynn Abbey. There were 12 of them and all were anthologies.
1. Thieves' World -1979 (1st story by John Brunner
2. Tales From the Vulgar Unicorn -1980 (1st story by Philip Farmer)
3. Shadows of Sanctuary -1981 (Intro by Asprin, 1st story by Vonda N. McIntyre)
4. Storm Season -1982 (1st story by Asprin)
5. The Face of Chaos -1983 (intro Asprin, 1st story by Janet Morris)
6. Wings of Omen -1984 (intro Asprin, 1st story Chris and Janet Morris)
7. The Dead of Winter -1985 (Dramatis Personae by Abbey, Intro by Asprin, 1st story by Janet Morris)
8. Soul of the City -1986 (Dramatis personae by abbey, 1st story by Janet Morris)
9. Blood Ties -1986 (Dramatis Personae Abbey, intro asprin)
10. Aftermath -1987 (Dramatis Personae by Face of Chaos, inc, intro by Asprin, 1st story by Mark Perry)
11. Uneasy Alliances -1988. (Dramatis Persona by Face of chaos, intro by Face of Chaos, 1st story by Asprin)
12. Stealer's Sky -1989, (Dramatis Personae by face of chaos, intro by asprin, 1st story by Andrew Offutt)
Janet Morris also wrote three novels set in the same world and using the same characters. These were Beyond Sanctuary, Beyond Wizardwall, and Beyond the Veil.
I believe someone wrote a novel called Jamie the Red set in that world too, but I'm not sure of that. It might have been Gordon Dickinson. And I also seem to remember that Andrew Offut wrote a novel set in that world, but I don't know the name of it.
The books were also published in book club editions, with three anthologies to a single hardcover book. The names of the four edited by asprin or by asprin and abbey) were Sanctuary, Cross Currents, The Shattered Sphere, and The Prince of Victory.
Let me know if you need more info about the anthologies themselves. I have them handy.
Arislyn & Lady Time,
Here are The Thieve's World books, in order of publication. All were edited by Robert Lynn Asprin or by Asprin and Lynn Abbey. There were 12 of them and all were anthologies.
1. Thieves' World -1979 (1st story by John Brunner
2. Tales From the Vulgar Unicorn -1980 (1st story by Philip Farmer)
3. Shadows of Sanctuary -1981 (Intro by Asprin, 1st story by Vonda N. McIntyre)
4. Storm Season -1982 (1st story by Asprin)
5. The Face of Chaos -1983 (intro Asprin, 1st story by Janet Morris)
6. Wings of Omen -1984 (intro Asprin, 1st story Chris and Janet Morris)
7. The Dead of Winter -1985 (Dramatis Personae by Abbey, Intro by Asprin, 1st story by Janet Morris)
8. Soul of the City -1986 (Dramatis personae by abbey, 1st story by Janet Morris)
9. Blood Ties -1986 (Dramatis Personae Abbey, intro asprin)
10. Aftermath -1987 (Dramatis Personae by Face of Chaos, inc, intro by Asprin, 1st story by Mark Perry)
11. Uneasy Alliances -1988. (Dramatis Persona by Face of chaos, intro by Face of Chaos, 1st story by Asprin)
12. Stealer's Sky -1989, (Dramatis Personae by face of chaos, intro by asprin, 1st story by Andrew Offutt)
Janet Morris also wrote three novels set in the same world and using the same characters. These were Beyond Sanctuary, Beyond Wizardwall, and Beyond the Veil.
I believe someone wrote a novel called Jamie the Red set in that world too, but I'm not sure of that. It might have been Gordon Dickinson. And I also seem to remember that Andrew Offut wrote a novel set in that world, but I don't know the name of it.
The books were also published in book club editions, with three anthologies to a single hardcover book. The names of the four edited by asprin or by asprin and abbey) were Sanctuary, Cross Currents, The Shattered Sphere, and The Prince of Victory.
Let me know if you need more info about the anthologies themselves. I have them handy.
Has anybody read? - by Brad on 19:55 10 Feb 2003
Hi Time Lady Judy, welcome to the forums!
Hey I had no idea there were 12 books and several spinoff novels!
Hi Time Lady Judy, welcome to the forums!
Hey I had no idea there were 12 books and several spinoff novels!
Has anybody read? - by Kainja on 00:21 11 Feb 2003
oh yeah, there were four other books by Janet and Chris Morris that were spinoffs, "Tempus," "Storm Seed," "City at the Edge of Time," and "Tempus Unbound." And I checked on my recollections. There was a book called Jamie the Red by Gordon Dickson and Roland Green, and Andrew Offutt did write a spinoff book called Shadowspawn, which was one of the characters in the series. And I forgot that David Drake wrote one called "Dagger," which I actually have in hardback.
Apparently Marion Zimmer Bradley wrote a couple of spinoff books too, which I didn't know. They're called Lythande, and The Wandering Lute.
There were also some short stories published with the characters too, though I don't have those.
oh yeah, there were four other books by Janet and Chris Morris that were spinoffs, "Tempus," "Storm Seed," "City at the Edge of Time," and "Tempus Unbound." And I checked on my recollections. There was a book called Jamie the Red by Gordon Dickson and Roland Green, and Andrew Offutt did write a spinoff book called Shadowspawn, which was one of the characters in the series. And I forgot that David Drake wrote one called "Dagger," which I actually have in hardback.
Apparently Marion Zimmer Bradley wrote a couple of spinoff books too, which I didn't know. They're called Lythande, and The Wandering Lute.
There were also some short stories published with the characters too, though I don't have those.
Has anybody read? - by Brad on 18:47 11 Feb 2003
I might have read one of the Morris books those titles sound familier.
I might have read one of the Morris books those titles sound familier.