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Little Book Series II
The Little Ochre Book Of Occult Stories
The eleventh title in our Little Book series is a very special one indeed.
Karl Wagner was one of the finest writers and editors of his generation when he died still in his forties. His efforts as an editor, publisher, and writer earned him the Phoenix Award, the British Fantasy Award, and the World Fantasy Award. Founder of Carcosa Press, creator of Kane the mystic swordsman, and author of some of the most original and intelligent horror and dark fantasy of the eighties and nineties, his body of work remains as some of the best the genre has to offer.
Stephen Jones—a multiple award winning editor—has compiled a wonderful sampling of Wagner’s work for this Little Book. Jones was gracious enough to sign this edition and also contribute illustrations which make this book even more special.
Karl Wagner was one of the finest writers and editors of his generation when he died still in his forties. His efforts as an editor, publisher, and writer earned him the Phoenix Award, the British Fantasy Award, and the World Fantasy Award. Founder of Carcosa Press, creator of Kane the mystic swordsman, and author of some of the most original and intelligent horror and dark fantasy of the eighties and nineties, his body of work remains as some of the best the genre has to offer.
Stephen Jones—a multiple award winning editor—has compiled a wonderful sampling of Wagner’s work for this Little Book. Jones was gracious enough to sign this edition and also contribute illustrations which make this book even more special.
136 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2016
About the author
Karl Edward Wagner
247 books416 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
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June 6, 2016This is copy 61 of 500 signed limited copies, Signed by Stephen Jones.
July 14, 2016
THE LITTLE OCHRE BOOK OF OCCULT STORIES, by Karl Edward Wagner, and edited by Stephen Jones, continues the "Little Series" by Borderlands Press. This is copy #327/500.
The book begins with a "letter" to Wagner (who died in 1994) from his friend, Stephen Jones--who chose the selection of poems and stories. My personal favorite was the story "Sticks"; a Lovecraftian take that is deeply unsettling, no matter how many times I read it. The ambiguity of the stick lattices, rumors of secret ceremonies, and underground cults with megalithic artifacts just takes my imagination away every time!
Also included was Wagner's favorite "Kane" story, "Undertow". While I'm familiar with much of Wagner's work, I don't recall reading this one before, and it was certainly another great addition.
Looking forward to more books in this "series"!
Recommended!
The book begins with a "letter" to Wagner (who died in 1994) from his friend, Stephen Jones--who chose the selection of poems and stories. My personal favorite was the story "Sticks"; a Lovecraftian take that is deeply unsettling, no matter how many times I read it. The ambiguity of the stick lattices, rumors of secret ceremonies, and underground cults with megalithic artifacts just takes my imagination away every time!
Also included was Wagner's favorite "Kane" story, "Undertow". While I'm familiar with much of Wagner's work, I don't recall reading this one before, and it was certainly another great addition.
Looking forward to more books in this "series"!
Recommended!
July 16, 2016
'Sticks' blew my mind, and was worth the purchasing price alone. I'm not a huge high-fantasy fan, but also appreciated the classic Kane piece. This was a great intro to Wagner's body of work, in the form of a very aesthetically pleasing (signed) volume from Borderlands Press publishing.
Copy 488 of 500.
Copy 488 of 500.
August 25, 2023
Wagner, Karl Edward - Little Ochre Book Of Occult Stories
One of the better “Little” book series to track down, and invariably reasonably priced.
A diverse sampler of Wagner that includes three stories, an essay, and scattered poems.
Also a poignant introduction by editor Stephen Jones, who has done much to keep the flame of Wagner burning. This intro is a letter to Karl, updating him on colleagues who have passed, recollections of conventions shared. Jones is not a mere fan, he knew the author. Both men respected each other.
“The Last Wolf” is a failing scribbler, not inferior, but reading tastes have changed, slimmed. Urged to write easier prose, more digestible, for simpler minds, he resists as he can.
“Undertow” is the longest work, and one of Wagner’s Kane stories. A grim, muscular sorcerer, Kane always reminds me of Conan with magic. The chronology is jumbled, making for a challenging read.
“Sticks” is one of his most famous stories, much anthologized, appropriated by film and television ("Blair Witch", "True Detective: S01"). A riveting, page turner, indebted to HPL, and miles above Cthulhu attempts by the usual suspects.
One of the better “Little” book series to track down, and invariably reasonably priced.
A diverse sampler of Wagner that includes three stories, an essay, and scattered poems.
Also a poignant introduction by editor Stephen Jones, who has done much to keep the flame of Wagner burning. This intro is a letter to Karl, updating him on colleagues who have passed, recollections of conventions shared. Jones is not a mere fan, he knew the author. Both men respected each other.
“The Last Wolf” is a failing scribbler, not inferior, but reading tastes have changed, slimmed. Urged to write easier prose, more digestible, for simpler minds, he resists as he can.
“Undertow” is the longest work, and one of Wagner’s Kane stories. A grim, muscular sorcerer, Kane always reminds me of Conan with magic. The chronology is jumbled, making for a challenging read.
“Sticks” is one of his most famous stories, much anthologized, appropriated by film and television ("Blair Witch", "True Detective: S01"). A riveting, page turner, indebted to HPL, and miles above Cthulhu attempts by the usual suspects.
January 4, 2021
This is a decent short collection of three stories and an essay (on H.P. Lovecraft) from the late Karl Edward Wagner. Several of Wagner's poems are interspersed between the prose pieces, so this slim collection makes for a good introduction to his body of work, especially as it includes his best-known story "Sticks".
On the downside, the story "Undertow" is the representative tale of Kane, the dark immortal who was Wagner's greatest creation. As it happens, "Undertow" is a below average Kane tale. That's a bit of a shame, since the Kane character was handled so skillfully in other stories, and choosing a better Kane piece would have made for a stronger introductory collection for readers who are new to Karl Edward Wagner.
On the downside, the story "Undertow" is the representative tale of Kane, the dark immortal who was Wagner's greatest creation. As it happens, "Undertow" is a below average Kane tale. That's a bit of a shame, since the Kane character was handled so skillfully in other stories, and choosing a better Kane piece would have made for a stronger introductory collection for readers who are new to Karl Edward Wagner.
November 5, 2022
A very short collection from KEW, several poems and short stories along with an essay about HP Lovecraft. Some of the poems and the essay aren't collected elsewhere. A nice extra for KEW fans but not really essential reading.
September 13, 2021
This small book is a treasure trove of Wagner's work. There's dark poetry, a treatise on Lovecraft, some of Wagner's own Lovecraftian tales, and a Kane story which I found a dark twist on the barbarian fantasy genre. My favourite was Sticks, which reminded me of Blair Witch (in a good way), as much as it harked to Lovecraft with the protagonist's curiosity leading them to descend into madness.
A perfect introduction to Karl Edward Wagner.
A perfect introduction to Karl Edward Wagner.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews