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Narbondo
The Further Adventures of Langdon St. Ives
Subterranean Press is proud to present The Further Adventures of Langdon St. Ives , which includes three classic adventures, a new novella and novelette, and more than forty illustrations by J. K. Potter.
Langdon St. Ives, explorer, scientist, naturalist, and family man rarely has a restful adventure befalls him and a colorful cast of characters around every seemingly innocent turn.
In this chronicle, St. Ives descends beneath the quicksand of Morecambe Bay into a dark, unknown corner of the ocean littered with human bones and the castaway detritus of humanity in search of a strange, possible alien machine.
Madness at the Explorers Club in London and the disappearance of St. Ives's wife Alice leads him to the underground lair of evil genius Dr. Ignacio Narbondo, who has undertaken to set the entirety of London into a lunatic frenzy.
A simple excursion to the West Indies is interrupted by bloodthirsty pirates whose depredations pale before the fury of the pagan god that erupts from beneath the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea.
An inexplicable cataract of water falling from a cloudless sky sets into motion a ballooning adventure in which St. Ives disappears through a hole in the sky.
And on a holiday in London, St. Ives investigates the insidious patent medicine salesman Diogenes, whose pills awaken strange longings and eons-old memories of man's ascent from the fishes.
Langdon St. Ives, explorer, scientist, naturalist, and family man rarely has a restful adventure befalls him and a colorful cast of characters around every seemingly innocent turn.
In this chronicle, St. Ives descends beneath the quicksand of Morecambe Bay into a dark, unknown corner of the ocean littered with human bones and the castaway detritus of humanity in search of a strange, possible alien machine.
Madness at the Explorers Club in London and the disappearance of St. Ives's wife Alice leads him to the underground lair of evil genius Dr. Ignacio Narbondo, who has undertaken to set the entirety of London into a lunatic frenzy.
A simple excursion to the West Indies is interrupted by bloodthirsty pirates whose depredations pale before the fury of the pagan god that erupts from beneath the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea.
An inexplicable cataract of water falling from a cloudless sky sets into motion a ballooning adventure in which St. Ives disappears through a hole in the sky.
And on a holiday in London, St. Ives investigates the insidious patent medicine salesman Diogenes, whose pills awaken strange longings and eons-old memories of man's ascent from the fishes.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2016
4 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
James P. Blaylock
102 books283 followersJames Paul Blaylock is an American fantasy author. He is noted for his distinctive style. He writes in a humorous way: His characters never walk, they clump along, or when someone complains (in a flying machine) that flight is impossible, the other characters agree and show him why he's right.
He was born in Long Beach, California; studied English at California State University, Fullerton, receiving an M.A. in 1974; and lives in Orange, California, teaching creative writing at Chapman University. Many of his books are set in Orange County, California, and can more specifically be termed "fabulism" — that is, fantastic things happen in our present-day world, rather than in traditional fantasy, where the setting is often some other world. His works have also been categorized as magic realism.
He and his friends Tim Powers and K.W. Jeter were mentored by Philip K. Dick. Along with Powers he invented the poet William Ashbless. Blaylock and Powers have often collaborated with each other on writing stories, including The Better Boy, On Pirates, and The William Ashbless Memorial Cookbook.
Blaylock is also currently director of the Creative Writing Conservatory at the Orange County High School of the Arts, where Powers is Writer in Residence.
He was born in Long Beach, California; studied English at California State University, Fullerton, receiving an M.A. in 1974; and lives in Orange, California, teaching creative writing at Chapman University. Many of his books are set in Orange County, California, and can more specifically be termed "fabulism" — that is, fantastic things happen in our present-day world, rather than in traditional fantasy, where the setting is often some other world. His works have also been categorized as magic realism.
He and his friends Tim Powers and K.W. Jeter were mentored by Philip K. Dick. Along with Powers he invented the poet William Ashbless. Blaylock and Powers have often collaborated with each other on writing stories, including The Better Boy, On Pirates, and The William Ashbless Memorial Cookbook.
Blaylock is also currently director of the Creative Writing Conservatory at the Orange County High School of the Arts, where Powers is Writer in Residence.
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August 1, 2016This is the leather bound hardcover edition numbered 150 of 200 copies signed by:
James P. Blaylock
J. K. Potter
Table of Contents:
007 - Introduction
013 - "The Ebb Tide"
083 - "The Affair of the Chalk Cliffs"
191 - "The Adventure of the Ring of Stones"
301 - "The Here-and-Thereians" (original novella)
357 - "Earthbound Things" (original novelette)
James P. Blaylock
J. K. Potter
Table of Contents:
007 - Introduction
013 - "The Ebb Tide"
083 - "The Affair of the Chalk Cliffs"
191 - "The Adventure of the Ring of Stones"
301 - "The Here-and-Thereians" (original novella)
357 - "Earthbound Things" (original novelette)
April 18, 2016
This book is a rollicking, madcap whirl through a London set more or less firmly in the Victorian era. Mr. Langdon St. Ives is what you would call a “gentleman adventurer”. He’s erudite, polished, soft-spoken, possessed of a boundless curiosity and a thirst for derring-do. He has his amanuensis, bosom chums and fellow colleagues who regularly accompany him on his escapades.
He also has a long-suffering wife, Alice, who is the epitome of ladies who have the (mis)fortune to marry men like this. She has the mild temper of a Madonna, manners of a queen, patience of a saint and beauty of an angel. She wisely doesn’t attempt to keep her husband by the home fires (the boundless understanding of such women is a staple of such books about such men) and is usually to be found waiting patiently for him to come home so she can bring him his meals.
However, Alice proves to be as mettlesome as any of his boon companions. She is possessed of courage, physical fortitude and fierce loyalty to her husband—qualities for which he is suitably, if intermittently, grateful. This is a good thing, since too much saintliness is a bore, even in fictional women.
The book is written in a more or less breezy tone, even when it purports to relate the machinations of various colorful and nefarious villains. It is also awash in the minute detail of Victorian England. Most chapters immerse the reader in the smog, grime, majesty and walks of merry olde England. It may leave less knowledgeable readers scratching their heads as the characters mention various unknown parts of Brittania. All I can state is that you sit back, buckle yourself into your dirigible and prepare for shootings, explosions and puckish krakens. Hurrah!
He also has a long-suffering wife, Alice, who is the epitome of ladies who have the (mis)fortune to marry men like this. She has the mild temper of a Madonna, manners of a queen, patience of a saint and beauty of an angel. She wisely doesn’t attempt to keep her husband by the home fires (the boundless understanding of such women is a staple of such books about such men) and is usually to be found waiting patiently for him to come home so she can bring him his meals.
However, Alice proves to be as mettlesome as any of his boon companions. She is possessed of courage, physical fortitude and fierce loyalty to her husband—qualities for which he is suitably, if intermittently, grateful. This is a good thing, since too much saintliness is a bore, even in fictional women.
The book is written in a more or less breezy tone, even when it purports to relate the machinations of various colorful and nefarious villains. It is also awash in the minute detail of Victorian England. Most chapters immerse the reader in the smog, grime, majesty and walks of merry olde England. It may leave less knowledgeable readers scratching their heads as the characters mention various unknown parts of Brittania. All I can state is that you sit back, buckle yourself into your dirigible and prepare for shootings, explosions and puckish krakens. Hurrah!
May 23, 2016
https://koeur.wordpress.com/2016/05/2...
Publisher: Subterranean
Publishing Date: July 2016
ISBN:9781596067820
Genre: SciFi
Rating: 4.6/5
Publishers Description: Subterranean Press is proud to present The Further Adventures of Langdon St. Ives, which includes three classic adventures, a new novella and novelette, and more than forty illustrations by J. K. Potter.
Langdon St. Ives, explorer, scientist, naturalist, and family man rarely has a restful day: adventure befalls him and a colorful cast of characters around every seemingly innocent turn.
Review: A heck of a lot of fun as the writing is superb. A few adventures with a sort of Sherlock and Holmes flavor. Really well developed characters tied to plenty of movement.
Publisher: Subterranean
Publishing Date: July 2016
ISBN:9781596067820
Genre: SciFi
Rating: 4.6/5
Publishers Description: Subterranean Press is proud to present The Further Adventures of Langdon St. Ives, which includes three classic adventures, a new novella and novelette, and more than forty illustrations by J. K. Potter.
Langdon St. Ives, explorer, scientist, naturalist, and family man rarely has a restful day: adventure befalls him and a colorful cast of characters around every seemingly innocent turn.
Review: A heck of a lot of fun as the writing is superb. A few adventures with a sort of Sherlock and Holmes flavor. Really well developed characters tied to plenty of movement.
February 7, 2017
A collection of three previously released works and some new works. I had read the first two stories before and have a copy of the third I had not yet read. The last stories where fun in that St. Ives gets caught up in a cult of barrel people, while the last story involves a balloon trip which forces St. Ives to make a decision affecting the course of his life.
December 5, 2023
3 stars, Metaphorosis reviews
Summary
A collection of steampunk adventure stories featuring dilettante scientist Langdon St. Ives.
Review
I’ve generally enjoyed James Blaylock’s stories over the years, though never quite without reservation. From intriguingly odd stories of elves, giants, and homunculi to more contemporary fare, I’ve found his books pleasant. The string of contemporary fantasy stories (The Paper Grail, The Rainy Season, All the Bells on Earth) reminded me of Sean Stewart’s similar stories (or vice versa). I also enjoyed one of the Langdon St. Ives stories, Lord Kelvin’s Machine, but truthfully have not been driven to go back and reread it. I’m afraid that moderate enthusiasm is also my response to this latest collection.
Here, again committing to the steampunkish world of St. Ives, Blaylock has fun inventing odd or absurd, but vaguely plausible adventures. It feels a bit like homage to Arthur Conan Doyle – a mix of both Professor Challenger and Dr. Watson – with many of the tales narrated by faithful sidekick Jack Owlesby. There are times when it’s all a bit too easy – the emphasis here is more on fun than credibility, and it seemed to me there was at least one temporal inconsistency among the stories – two characters who shouldn’t be around at the same time.
Overall, it’s pleasant, but I can’t say that any of the stories particularly stood out, nor that I was so enticed by the world that I feel the need to dive back in through a number of other available books and stories, nor try too hard to fit together the pieces I’ve already read. Fans of the St. Ives world, though, will no doubt enjoy these.
Summary
A collection of steampunk adventure stories featuring dilettante scientist Langdon St. Ives.
Review
I’ve generally enjoyed James Blaylock’s stories over the years, though never quite without reservation. From intriguingly odd stories of elves, giants, and homunculi to more contemporary fare, I’ve found his books pleasant. The string of contemporary fantasy stories (The Paper Grail, The Rainy Season, All the Bells on Earth) reminded me of Sean Stewart’s similar stories (or vice versa). I also enjoyed one of the Langdon St. Ives stories, Lord Kelvin’s Machine, but truthfully have not been driven to go back and reread it. I’m afraid that moderate enthusiasm is also my response to this latest collection.
Here, again committing to the steampunkish world of St. Ives, Blaylock has fun inventing odd or absurd, but vaguely plausible adventures. It feels a bit like homage to Arthur Conan Doyle – a mix of both Professor Challenger and Dr. Watson – with many of the tales narrated by faithful sidekick Jack Owlesby. There are times when it’s all a bit too easy – the emphasis here is more on fun than credibility, and it seemed to me there was at least one temporal inconsistency among the stories – two characters who shouldn’t be around at the same time.
Overall, it’s pleasant, but I can’t say that any of the stories particularly stood out, nor that I was so enticed by the world that I feel the need to dive back in through a number of other available books and stories, nor try too hard to fit together the pieces I’ve already read. Fans of the St. Ives world, though, will no doubt enjoy these.
March 3, 2018
Two previously uncollected stories (both QUITE fun, quite clever) make this volume pretty essential for the faithful.
Cheers.
Cheers.
March 9, 2021
Another entertaining adventure with St Ives. I read this in spurts over the last couple years.
December 13, 2022
Eccentric, Victoriana, steam-punkish (of a sort), unexpected. The illustrations by J.K. Potter make it an especial treat.
March 17, 2017
Blaylock wrote steampunk, before it was called steampunk. This is a book of fairly long-ish short stories, of Professor Langdon St. Ives, whose first novel from Blaylock, was "Homunculus", written in 1986. St. Ives milieu is late 19th century England, and Blaylock has a way with the style of writing from that period. It differs significantly from some of his other works, which are no less entertaining, particularly since virtually all of his books have a touch of the metaphysical, which I enjoy immensely.
May 15, 2016
The Further Adventures of Langdon St. Ives by James Blaylock- This collection of witty steampunk novellas, a second omnibus, follows the exploits of Langdon St. Ives, a Sherlock Holmes styled investigator, who along with his manservant Hasbro and the narrator, Jack Owlesby, serving as his Watson, are faced with perilous quests and dangerous investigations, usually opposing the villainy of the nefarious Ignacio Narbondo, their own Moriarty. Here you will find: The Ebb Tide, The Affair of the Chalk Cliffs, The Adventure of the Ring of Stones, all previously published, and two new adventures: The Here-and-Thereians and Earthbound Things. All stories are set in turn of the nineteenth century London surroundings, and the details are well defined and the speech is lyrical and spellbinding, much like Conan Doyle. The illustrations are first rate and add considerably to the atmosphere of adventure. Subterranean Press always does an excellent job with all their releases and this no exception. Now I need to go back and grab up a copy of the first omnibus.
November 21, 2016
A jolly good series of tales in the Sherlock Holmes tradition where our eponymous hero features in several short stories.
The tales are tall and highly imaginative in a world not so very far from our own but with some distinctly different machinery. This is Holmes, steampunk style and there is some new fiendish scheme on every page, seeking the downfall of Langdon. There are several short stories previously published and a new novella which should entice in readers who enjoy steampunk, mysteries and old-fashioned gentleman explorers who tip their hats to ladies.
The tales are tall and highly imaginative in a world not so very far from our own but with some distinctly different machinery. This is Holmes, steampunk style and there is some new fiendish scheme on every page, seeking the downfall of Langdon. There are several short stories previously published and a new novella which should entice in readers who enjoy steampunk, mysteries and old-fashioned gentleman explorers who tip their hats to ladies.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews