Eric of Zanthodon

Eric Carstairs of Zanthodon #5

by Lin Carter

Book by Carter, Lin

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction

176 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 3, 1982

About the author

Lin Carter was an American author, editor, and critic best known for his influential role in fantasy literature during the mid-20th century. Born in St. Petersburg, Florida, he developed an early passion for myth, adventure stories, and imaginative fiction, drawing inspiration from authors such as Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert E. Howard, H. P. Lovecraft, and J. R. R. Tolkien. After serving in the U.S. Army, Carter attended Columbia University, where he honed his literary skills and deepened his knowledge of classical and medieval literature, myth, and folklore — elements that would become central to his work.
Carter authored numerous novels, short stories, and critical studies, often working within the sword-and-sorcery and high fantasy traditions. His own creations, such as the “Thongor of Lemuria” series, paid homage to pulp-era adventure fiction while adding his distinctive voice and world-building style. His nonfiction book Tolkien: A Look Behind The Lord of the Rings was one of the first major studies of Tolkien’s work and its mythological roots, and it helped establish Carter as a knowledgeable commentator on fantasy literature.
Beyond his own writing, Carter was a central figure in bringing classic and forgotten works of fantasy back into print. As editor of the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series from 1969 to 1974, he curated and introduced dozens of volumes, reintroducing readers to authors such as William Morris, Lord Dunsany, E. R. Eddison, and James Branch Cabell. His introductions not only contextualized these works historically and literarily but also encouraged a new generation to explore the breadth of the fantasy tradition.
Carter was also active in the shared literary universe of the “Cthulhu Mythos,” expanding upon the creations of H. P. Lovecraft and other members of the “Lovecraft Circle.” His collaborations and solo contributions in this genre further cemented his reputation as both a creative writer and a literary preservationist.
In addition to fiction and criticism, Carter was an active member of several science fiction and fantasy organizations, including the Science Fiction Writers of America. He frequently appeared at conventions, where he was known for his enthusiasm, deep knowledge of the genre, and willingness to mentor aspiring writers.
Though sometimes critiqued for the derivative nature of some of his work, Carter’s influence on the fantasy revival of the late 20th century remains significant. His combination of creative output, editorial vision, and scholarly enthusiasm helped bridge the gap between the pulp traditions of the early 1900s and the expansive fantasy publishing boom that followed.
Lin Carter’s legacy endures through his own imaginative tales, his critical studies, and the many classic works he rescued from obscurity, ensuring their place in the canon of fantasy literature for generations to come.

Reviews

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the final book in the Zanthodon series, and it feels like it. It feels, in fact, like a whole bunch of parentheses closing. Unlike the previous book I read in the series, there is no serious crisis to resolve. The battle is over; the good guys won. Some of the bad guys are still out there scheming and need to be wrapped up. Some wrap themselves up and ride off into the sunset together.

The gods who rule our fates devised a cunning and fitting punishment for these two magnificent villains—

They got married.

In fact, there are a whole lot of marriages here, though most of them happen at the end, as if marriage were the ultimate closing parenthesis.

Perhaps the weirdest of this weird fantasy comes in at the end, when Professor Potter and Eric start talking about the civilization they can teach the Cro-Magnons to build, and one of the features will be that only people who can produce will be allowed to survive. There will be no money in their managed civilization, only barter.

There will, of course, be thunder-weapons and even a thunder-bird. The latter is my word, not theirs, and I feel I can safely leave that a subject of suspense since 9it is of no significance whatsoever to the plot.

[Alton Motobu · Rating 3 out of 5]

All plot lines of previous four novels in this Underground World series come together, but there are so many characters and story lines it is difficult to keep track of. Young lovers Jorn and Yualla get mixed up with evil Xosk and Murg and meet black Amazon Niema; Hurak seeks a mate on his home island; Zarys falls in love, Eric and Potter get lost, etc. All converge at the end, and Eric becomes Omad of Omads with Darya as his queen. Escapist fantasy for Lin Carter fans.

[Derek · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'd like to say that the problems start with the first page. This would not be true, however--the problems start with the cover. Consider the image: a sprawled, underclothed woman idly and dangerously fingers a revolver shoved crotchwise into a man's fur-bikini waistband. The man is mustering all the dignity he can, despite his squatting position and the fact that he looks vaguely embarrassed about the tasseled hat somebody forced him to wear. Meanwhile, a toddler thumbing a flint knife gives the evil eye to the viewer.

And then you open the book.

The first twenty-odd pages retells and expands the last five or so pages from the previous of the series. In doing so it puts the lie to a statement about how a pair of antagonists "pass from the knowledge of men"...by continuing to talk about them for at least ten more pages. All of which is completely contradictory because the first person narrator has no way of learning their story before they disappear for good.

It's one of those Lin Carter books where the characters wander aimlessly and nothing interesting happens, despite the many battles and animal attacks and whatnot. The author seems compelled to tie up every loose end, and in doing so lacks any interesting set pieces or cohesive vision of what the book should be about (as evidenced by the vague and lackluster back cover copy). I didn't like it when Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote this sort of running-about jungle adventure, and I certainly don't enjoy it here.

It finally gets somewhere when they meet the lost World War Two German soldiers, but there's no interesting Secret Underworld Nazi Base set piece (or U-boat, to borrow interestingly from The Land That Time Forgot). Their presence is as much an afterthought as anything else in this novel.

[Richard · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only reason I read and finished this book was because I had purchased the series all at once so I could read without interruption. If Mr. Carter had cut out all of the reiterating of past events in the story you might have put this in one maybe two books. I liked that it was first person perspective but that's about it. Definitely not reading this one again.

[Charles · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is Lin Carter's entry into the world at the center of the Earth genre. There are at least four in this series, but it's very derivative of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Pellucidar series, just not as good.