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Kane #8
Exorcisms and Ecstasies
Book by Wagner, Karl Edward
458 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
2 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
About the author
Karl Edward Wagner
245 books390 followersKarl Edward Wagner (12 December 1945 – 13 October 1994) was an American writer, editor and publisher of horror, science fiction, and heroic fantasy, who was born in Knoxville, Tennessee and originally trained as a psychiatrist. His disillusionment with the medical profession can be seen in the stories "The Fourth Seal" and "Into Whose Hands". He described his world view as nihilistic, anarchistic and absurdist, and claimed, not entirely seriously, to be related to "an opera composer named Richard". Wagner also admired the cinema of Sam Peckinpah, stating "I worship the film The Wild Bunch".
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 31, 2024
This is an indispensable collection/tribute for Karl Edward Wagner fans, released three years after his untimely death at age 49. It contains four sections: 1. "Exorcisms and Ecstasies," which is made up of the 20 stories that more or less would have been the contents of his long-delayed third horror collection; 2. "Silver Dagger: Kane," which contains 5 uncollected Kane stories, including a couple fragments from unfinished novels; 3. "Satan's Gun: Adrian Becker," includes three stories featuring Becker, a gunslinger (possibly descended from Kane) battling supernatural threats in the old west; and 4. "Tell Me Dark: Uncollected Stories," which collects some odds and sods throughout Wagner's career, including the original novelette version of "Killer," co-written with David Drake and later expanded into a novel, about an alien creature in ancient Rome. Also, there are plenty of photos of KEW and friends, as well as an invaluable and exhaustive bibliography of his works.
Interspersed throughout are some loving -- and some not so loving -- essays from friends and family about Wagner. Contributors include Ramsey Campbell, Stephen Jones, Brian Lumley, Frances (Mrs. Manly Wade) Wellman, David J. Schow, Karl's brother James, Peter Straub, and David Drake. Drake's essay* is one of the main reasons to own this, a brutally honest portrayal of Wagner's state during his final years. At first I thought his personal attacks were horribly tasteless, considering KEW was ill and in need of treatment, but now I see the essay as a from-the-heart expulsion (or "exorcism") of feelings from a close friend who's both sad and angry .
The stories in the main, self-titled section continue in the vein of his previous collection, Why Not You & I?, in that they have less of the Weird Tales vibe of the stories making up In a Lonely Place, and have fewer overtly supernatural elements in general. They're more brutal and disturbing as opposed to straight-up frightening, though there are some rather chilling moments. They're also sexually explicit, sometimes overly so, and some have an unnecessary cruelty and viciousness about them, possibly reflecting the author's seemingly angry and bitter mental state after the collapse of his marriage. Overall, though, a very strong collection of stories.
The "Kane" section includes "The Gothic Touch," a crossover with Moorcock's Elric character, an early version of Night Winds' "Lynortis Reprise," and a couple present day-setting Kane stories/novel fragments, "At First Just Ghostly" and "Deep in the Depths of the Acme Warehouse." These fragments, as well as the excellent Adrian Becker stories, mostly just made me depressed that I'll never get to read the many planned novels featuring these characters. Good thing he was able to give us what he did.
An essential collection for KEW fans.
4.5 Stars
*Also available in the Centipede Press KEW collection, Walk on the Wild Side.
(P.S. Stay vigilant when searching for a reasonably priced copy. I'd been looking for years, rarely seeing it online for less than $90, when one day it popped up on Ebay for $30 in very good condition.)
Interspersed throughout are some loving -- and some not so loving -- essays from friends and family about Wagner. Contributors include Ramsey Campbell, Stephen Jones, Brian Lumley, Frances (Mrs. Manly Wade) Wellman, David J. Schow, Karl's brother James, Peter Straub, and David Drake. Drake's essay* is one of the main reasons to own this, a brutally honest portrayal of Wagner's state during his final years. At first I thought his personal attacks were horribly tasteless, considering KEW was ill and in need of treatment, but now I see the essay as a from-the-heart expulsion (or "exorcism") of feelings from a close friend who's both sad and angry .
The stories in the main, self-titled section continue in the vein of his previous collection, Why Not You & I?, in that they have less of the Weird Tales vibe of the stories making up In a Lonely Place, and have fewer overtly supernatural elements in general. They're more brutal and disturbing as opposed to straight-up frightening, though there are some rather chilling moments. They're also sexually explicit, sometimes overly so, and some have an unnecessary cruelty and viciousness about them, possibly reflecting the author's seemingly angry and bitter mental state after the collapse of his marriage. Overall, though, a very strong collection of stories.
The "Kane" section includes "The Gothic Touch," a crossover with Moorcock's Elric character, an early version of Night Winds' "Lynortis Reprise," and a couple present day-setting Kane stories/novel fragments, "At First Just Ghostly" and "Deep in the Depths of the Acme Warehouse." These fragments, as well as the excellent Adrian Becker stories, mostly just made me depressed that I'll never get to read the many planned novels featuring these characters. Good thing he was able to give us what he did.
An essential collection for KEW fans.
4.5 Stars
*Also available in the Centipede Press KEW collection, Walk on the Wild Side.
(P.S. Stay vigilant when searching for a reasonably priced copy. I'd been looking for years, rarely seeing it online for less than $90, when one day it popped up on Ebay for $30 in very good condition.)
October 23, 2014
Karl Wagner was an excellent writer known for his horror stories & Kane series. He died before his time & this book tracks his career & works. It includes stories he wrote as well as sections written about him by his friends. It's a tragic story, but well worth the read.
I was VERY lucky to pick up a copy of this book in a book store that sold remainders - books that hadn't sold new & were cleared from the shelves. I think I got it for $5 or so & could have picked up a couple more copies. I wish I'd known. Now they're $120 used on Amazon!
I was VERY lucky to pick up a copy of this book in a book store that sold remainders - books that hadn't sold new & were cleared from the shelves. I think I got it for $5 or so & could have picked up a couple more copies. I wish I'd known. Now they're $120 used on Amazon!
May 24, 2016
Wow!
What a read.
I'm only going to consider the initial Exorcisms and Ecstasies stories in this brief sketch.
1. Old punks never die, they just...
2. Kinky Klaw/Page-esque supernatural shenanigans. Did I say kinky?
3. A classic of the 'What if?' tradition. If these walls could talk.
4. Another KEW tale of life-vampires. The acuteness cuts deep.
5. Minimal supernatural, maximum autobiographical? Medical Maladies pt3
6. Heavy sex, climaxing in rapey BDSM meets The Haunted Locket.
7. Don't have a jaspers about this one.
8. Incredible slow-motion journey to Hell (and back?).
9. Zero supernatural, maximum autobiographical? Medical Maladies pt4
10. One could almost imagine Joseph Payne Brennan having written this old-style Weird Tales tale. Which can only be a good thing.
11. Life-vampires, in the pub. Maximum autobiographical? KEW reads the sediment at the bottom of the pint and it doesn't auger well. Heartbreaking.
12. Another old style Weird Tales tale, with added Splatterpunk.
13. A wee bit muddled, yet heartfelt. Non-supernatural?
14. Brilliant! KEW taps into the same lodestone mined by Waldrop, Lansdale, Partridge et al.
15. A single issue comic of this story would have blown my head as a kid.
16. KEW's interpretation of The Picture of Dorian Gray. When KEW was well into writing about sex.
17. Beaumont, Bloch, Bradbury, and thats just the Bs. Done before, no great shakes.
18. Like something from the pages of the True Detective magazines my dad used to get.
19. To paraphrase The Carter Family..'It takes a haunted man/ to write a haunted tale'. One of the finest stories written by KEW. Aickmanesque, and then some.
Essential reading for any student of KEW, but be warned, this is heavy shit. Pre-rolled heavy.
What a read.
I'm only going to consider the initial Exorcisms and Ecstasies stories in this brief sketch.
1. Old punks never die, they just...
2. Kinky Klaw/Page-esque supernatural shenanigans. Did I say kinky?
3. A classic of the 'What if?' tradition. If these walls could talk.
4. Another KEW tale of life-vampires. The acuteness cuts deep.
5. Minimal supernatural, maximum autobiographical? Medical Maladies pt3
6. Heavy sex, climaxing in rapey BDSM meets The Haunted Locket.
7. Don't have a jaspers about this one.
8. Incredible slow-motion journey to Hell (and back?).
9. Zero supernatural, maximum autobiographical? Medical Maladies pt4
10. One could almost imagine Joseph Payne Brennan having written this old-style Weird Tales tale. Which can only be a good thing.
11. Life-vampires, in the pub. Maximum autobiographical? KEW reads the sediment at the bottom of the pint and it doesn't auger well. Heartbreaking.
12. Another old style Weird Tales tale, with added Splatterpunk.
13. A wee bit muddled, yet heartfelt. Non-supernatural?
14. Brilliant! KEW taps into the same lodestone mined by Waldrop, Lansdale, Partridge et al.
15. A single issue comic of this story would have blown my head as a kid.
16. KEW's interpretation of The Picture of Dorian Gray. When KEW was well into writing about sex.
17. Beaumont, Bloch, Bradbury, and thats just the Bs. Done before, no great shakes.
18. Like something from the pages of the True Detective magazines my dad used to get.
19. To paraphrase The Carter Family..'It takes a haunted man/ to write a haunted tale'. One of the finest stories written by KEW. Aickmanesque, and then some.
Essential reading for any student of KEW, but be warned, this is heavy shit. Pre-rolled heavy.
April 21, 2010
I have to start out saying that I don't think that I am a prude.I believe in free love and all that and whatever people do behind closed doors is really none of my business.That said I have found that I am stopping reading this book after the first few stories.It reminds me of male adolescent fantasies of they think what womens' sexuality is and not taking into account the reality of what it is.
Frankly,I find his work distasteful and downright offensive to me as a women.
I don't think violence to women is sexy and a turn on to most women.I really don't.
I loved his story Sticks and I am sure that there are probably some wonderful stories in this book but I can't and won't get passed the revulsion I feel towards this author if that is what he really thinks womens' sexuality is all about.
Frankly,I find his work distasteful and downright offensive to me as a women.
I don't think violence to women is sexy and a turn on to most women.I really don't.
I loved his story Sticks and I am sure that there are probably some wonderful stories in this book but I can't and won't get passed the revulsion I feel towards this author if that is what he really thinks womens' sexuality is all about.
December 5, 2021
This is a review of the entire series!
Kane is a brutal, scarlet-maned barbarian that defied fate by murdering the god that created him. He’s an immortal bastard doomed to wander a bleak apocalyptic world full of criminals, demons and horrifying elder gods. Death stalks him everywhere he goes and he never knows a moment of peace. Armed with twin blades, forbidden sorcery and the dark heart of a mad warrior, Kane conquers and destroys anything that dares to stand in the way of him getting whatever he desires.
If Conan the Barbarian had an edgy goth big brother, his name would be Kane. Kane shares the hotblooded spirit, the lust for danger and conquest, the unparalleled skill for battle as Conan, but he kicks it up a few notches by being extremely intelligent, unlawful, immortal, cruel and possesses a knack for evil sorceries which Conan would definitely not be a fan of. The world he lives in also feels like a much more scary and bloody version of Hyboria. It’s pure gothic horror and lovecraftian nightmare territory. Fans of Dark Souls will feel right at home.
While the action, adventure and world is filled with tons of gritty fun, it manages to be quite creative and original compared to many other sword and sorcery series that begin to feel repetitive after running for too long. Kane constantly keeps things fresh by branching out into areas of exploration such as entire stories dedicated to discussing advanced literature, art, philosophy, history, race, religion, politics, nature, society, human morality and many other topics that stand out from the brutal cutthroat action sequences, bloodthirsty demons and chaotic sorcery the genre is typically known for. This gives the characters more depth and creates a melancholy yet immersive atmosphere that many other sword and sorcery books don’t often capture.
Every Kane tale is a stand-alone story and Kane himself transcends time which means you can read the series in any order you wish without feeling lost or uninformed. The series is a great blend of bloody awesome action, dark humor, philosophical musings and Moorcockian wizardry.
***
If you're looking for some dark ambient music for reading horror, dark fantasy and other books like this one, then be sure to check out my YouTube Channel called Nightmarish Compositions: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPPs...
Kane is a brutal, scarlet-maned barbarian that defied fate by murdering the god that created him. He’s an immortal bastard doomed to wander a bleak apocalyptic world full of criminals, demons and horrifying elder gods. Death stalks him everywhere he goes and he never knows a moment of peace. Armed with twin blades, forbidden sorcery and the dark heart of a mad warrior, Kane conquers and destroys anything that dares to stand in the way of him getting whatever he desires.
If Conan the Barbarian had an edgy goth big brother, his name would be Kane. Kane shares the hotblooded spirit, the lust for danger and conquest, the unparalleled skill for battle as Conan, but he kicks it up a few notches by being extremely intelligent, unlawful, immortal, cruel and possesses a knack for evil sorceries which Conan would definitely not be a fan of. The world he lives in also feels like a much more scary and bloody version of Hyboria. It’s pure gothic horror and lovecraftian nightmare territory. Fans of Dark Souls will feel right at home.
While the action, adventure and world is filled with tons of gritty fun, it manages to be quite creative and original compared to many other sword and sorcery series that begin to feel repetitive after running for too long. Kane constantly keeps things fresh by branching out into areas of exploration such as entire stories dedicated to discussing advanced literature, art, philosophy, history, race, religion, politics, nature, society, human morality and many other topics that stand out from the brutal cutthroat action sequences, bloodthirsty demons and chaotic sorcery the genre is typically known for. This gives the characters more depth and creates a melancholy yet immersive atmosphere that many other sword and sorcery books don’t often capture.
Every Kane tale is a stand-alone story and Kane himself transcends time which means you can read the series in any order you wish without feeling lost or uninformed. The series is a great blend of bloody awesome action, dark humor, philosophical musings and Moorcockian wizardry.
***
If you're looking for some dark ambient music for reading horror, dark fantasy and other books like this one, then be sure to check out my YouTube Channel called Nightmarish Compositions: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPPs...
May 19, 2025
A valuable but distinctly lesser collection of Wagner's later work. Wagner's imagination and writing slipped a lot in later years due to personal problems (some outlined here in biographical sketches from several of Wagner's colleagues). There are gems here, including "Cedar Lane", but mostly these stories pale next to Wagner's best work. The fragment of a never-complete Kane novel is fine, but only makes one regret Wagner never completed the planned book. In fact, the overall effect of the book is to make me shake my head over the lost potential that is Karl Edward Wagner. Recommended only for dedicated Wagner fans who want to read it all.
January 8, 2017
I got a good impression from a short story "Cedar Lane" of 1990. Gotto keep my eye on an author.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews