Golden Cities, Far

by Lin Carter

A rich and joyous collection of tales of myth, magic and necromancy, by authors ancient and modern - all the way from the anonymous chronicler of perhaps the oldest of written fantasies - the Sumarian Angalta Kigalshe - to Anatole France and his Merrie Tales of Jacques Tournebroche. Here you will find extracts from the Egyptian Book of Thoth, from Ariosto's Orlando Furioso from Voltaire, Alfred Noyes, and many more - a veritable feast of fantasy.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Speculative Fiction

299 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

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

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, if you think that a collection "largely devoted to ancient writers of classical antiquity and the Middle Ages" would be free of Lin Carter's self-promotional impulse, you would in fact be dead wrong. In this case he provides a reworked version of an English translation of the Sumerian Angalta Kigalshe. It may just be the least successful of the collection: he made use of antiquated verb forms and constructions--"hath", "descendeth", and so forth--rather than using the clean lines of contemporary English. The result feels contrived and stuck in time, and not even in the right time.

The selection from Orlando Furioso, translated by Richard Hodgens, is an oddity because it prefigures Hodgens's later Orlando Furioso The Ring of Angelica (mis-categorized by Carter as the first English prose translation) and because of its curiously self-referential and ironic tone. Is this an embellishment by Hodgens, or did it figure into the original?

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Lin Carter-edited anthology from the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series. This one reminds us that people have been telling stories of gods, demons, swords, wizards, monsters and adventures for a long time -- the oldest pieces in this book date back to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, and even the most recent just barely push into the 20th Century. There's a good mix of standalone stories (The Talisman of Oromanes, The Yellow Dwarf, The White Bull) and excerpts from longer pieces (taken from Huon of Bordeaux, Amadis of Gaul and Orlando Furioso), amongst other things, presented, where necessary, in more-than-serviceable translation, all threaded together by Lin Carter's typically enthusiastic and informative introductions.

[Wayland Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given this book as a gift because a fan of mine (that still sounds weird to say) noticed one of the stories was by the Wayland Smith that wrote before me.

It's a collection of various legends and stories ranging from centuries ago to more recent tales. It's an interesting collection. Nothing really struck me as an amazing story, but it's an interesting view into the history of fantasy writers and stories.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this book, dusty and forgotten in the morale area of the camp I'm living at. So happy I grabbed it and gave it a try. I really, really enjoyed all of the folk/fairy tales, most of which I haven't heard of before. The editorial comments on the stories themselves are also fascinating and worthwhile. I'm plan on checking out the rest of Mr. Carter's collection.