Weird Tales 3

Weird Tales #3

by Lin Carter (Editor/Contributor), Evangeline Walton (Contributor), Steve Rasnic Tem (Contributor)

Contents:

* "The Eyrie" (editorial) (Lin Carter)
* "The Chinese Woman" (Evangeline Walton)
* "The Messenger" (Steve Rasnic Tem)
* "To the Nightshade" (poem) (Clark Ashton Smith)
* "The Opposite House" (John Brizzolara and Diane Brizzolara)
* "The Guardian of the Idol" (Robert E. Howard and Gerald W. Page)
* "The Black Garden" (Carl Jacobi)
* "The House of the Temple" (Brian Lumley)
* "The Red Brain" (Donald Wandrei)
* "Annals of Arkya: 5. The Summons" (poem) (Robert A. W. Lowndes)
* "Annals of Arkya: 6. The Viola" (poem) (Robert A. W. Lowndes)
* "Nobody Ever Goes There" (Manly Wade Wellman)
* "The Summons of Nuguth-Yug" (Gary Myers and Marc Laidlaw)
* "The Wind That Tramps the World" (Frank Owen)
* "The Winfield Inheritance" (Lin Carter)

Genres: Horror, Fantasy

318 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1981

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

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third of four volumes that attempted to revive Weird Tales Magazine in the mass-market paperback format with Lin Carter as the editor. The book reprints two stories from 1920s issues, from Frank Owen and Donald Wandrei, but the rest appear here for the first time. There's a decided edge to the Lovecraft style of cosmic horror, though Lovecraft himself is not included. There are fun, notable (if typical) stories from Brian Lumley, Carl Jacobi, a fragment from Robert E. Howard completed by Gerald Page, and a good novella by Evangeline Walton. My favorite was Nobody Ever Goes There by Manly Wade Wellman.

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lin Carter might be a diligent and discerning editor and curator of anthologies, but he is also backwards-looking, as seen in his Ballantine Adult Fantasy work and in the intensely imitative styling of his own writing. (I look forward to checking this assertion against Flashing Swords! and The Year's Best Fantasy Stories.)

Unfortunately, any enterprise daring enough to appropriate the Weird Tales label and hold the conceit that it is a continuation in paperback form (this 'issue' is labeled as volume 48, number 3) should be equally daring with its selections. This is not. It contains recycled material from as far back as 1925, famous and established names, and tried-and-true formats and formulas. What was "weird" in the 1930's was conventional in 1981.

In particular, two Cthulhu Mythos stories lean heavily on Lovecraft's precedents that it is hard to discuss their merits. Titles of suppressed and shuddersome books are recited. The protagonist writes his account, which may or not be believed by authorities. A monstrous secret is revealed. So it goes.

Carter's own contribution, "The Winfield Heritance" is particularly guilty, compounding its faults with references and cameos from other stories, quoting the text of the Necronomicon itself, and making weird Mythos statements. When you read of Cthulhu's three sons or his half-brother, you start to wonder if it is time to dynamite the entire edifice of Mythos horror and start over.

This is the first I've read of Manly Wade Wellman's Silver John, and it will not be the last. Likewise, I'm intrigued by Donald Wandrei's "The Red Brain".

But the story that most sticks out as a 'weird tale' is Steve Rasnic Tem's "The Messenger". It was cryptic, unsettling, and the most daring thing in the volume.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Essentially a pulp magazine in book form. The series of stories are average to not so good, with the best of the lot being those inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu mythos (“The House of the Temple,” “The Red Brain,” and “The Winfield Inheritance”). The feature that is supposed to sell the book is a Robert E. Howard (Conan creator) piece, but it is just ok. Like some other published works of Howard, someone else wrote it from notes and an outline.

Overall, a fun, light read that is only for those who are interested in these types of horror stories and even then if you’ve read other, better stories and need more.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The Black Garden” and “The House of the Temple” were excellent - God damned excellent. The rest of the stories were sort of just ok for me.