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The Averoigne Chronicles: The Complete Averoigne Stories of Clark Ashton Smith
The California poet and fantaisiste Clark Ashton Smith (1893-1961) created many imaginary worlds, but none so imbued with terror and strangeness as the realm of Averoigne, set in medieval France. In the dozen tales of this cycle, Smith found a convenient means to indulge his taste for some of the venerable motifs of supernatural fiction-the witch, the sorcerer, the lamia, the quest for eternal life-while also incorporating elements of anti-religious satire and eroticism.
"A Night in Maln�ant" introduces the cycle, where a traveler to Averoigne finds himself falling under the sway of the dead Lady Mariel. "The Holiness of Azedarac" features the Bishop of Nimes, who in spite of his impiety becomes a saint. "The Maker of Gargoyles" tells of gargoyles that may come to life and wreak havoc on the populace.
"The Disinterment of Venus" is a pungent satire on the sexually inexperienced monks of P�rigon. "Mother of Toads" exhibits the loathsome M�re Antoinette, a witch who commands legions of toads. "The Beast of Averoigne" and other tales incorporate elements of H. P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos in ingenious and innovative ways.
This volume also includes Smith's poems and prose poems relating to Averoigne. All the texts have been corrected from previous editions, and the striking artwork of David Ho is also included. Introduced by Gahan Wilson, and with an afterword by Donald Sidney-Fryer, The Averoigne Chronicles is a rich feast of terror and seduction for all devotees of weird fantasy.
"A Night in Maln�ant" introduces the cycle, where a traveler to Averoigne finds himself falling under the sway of the dead Lady Mariel. "The Holiness of Azedarac" features the Bishop of Nimes, who in spite of his impiety becomes a saint. "The Maker of Gargoyles" tells of gargoyles that may come to life and wreak havoc on the populace.
"The Disinterment of Venus" is a pungent satire on the sexually inexperienced monks of P�rigon. "Mother of Toads" exhibits the loathsome M�re Antoinette, a witch who commands legions of toads. "The Beast of Averoigne" and other tales incorporate elements of H. P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos in ingenious and innovative ways.
This volume also includes Smith's poems and prose poems relating to Averoigne. All the texts have been corrected from previous editions, and the striking artwork of David Ho is also included. Introduced by Gahan Wilson, and with an afterword by Donald Sidney-Fryer, The Averoigne Chronicles is a rich feast of terror and seduction for all devotees of weird fantasy.
254 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2016
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148 people want to read
About the author
Clark Ashton Smith
720 books995 followersClark Ashton Smith was a poet, sculptor, painter and author of fantasy, horror and science fiction short stories. It is for these stories, and his literary friendship with H. P. Lovecraft from 1922 until Lovecraft's death in 1937, that he is mainly remembered today. With Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard, also a friend and correspondent, Smith remains one of the most famous contributors to the pulp magazine Weird Tales.
His writings are posted at his official website.
His writings are posted at his official website.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
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August 14, 2016This is copy number 40 of 200 signed and numbered copies, signed by:
David Ho
Donald Sidney-Fryer
editor Ron Hilger
with a facsimile signature by Clark Ashton Smith.
Color printing on sumptuous Italian paper.
David Ho
Donald Sidney-Fryer
editor Ron Hilger
with a facsimile signature by Clark Ashton Smith.
Color printing on sumptuous Italian paper.
October 19, 2016
Unabashedly romantic fantasy/horror stories and poems set in a lost/alternate medieval country in the south of France. Some of the most elegant, eloquent and cultured prose stylings to be found anywhere in fantasy and horror literature. Not the complete Averoigne Chronicles Smith contemplated during his lifetime (there were many stories he never got around to writing), but what he did write and is gathered here gives the reader a sense of the unique and imaginative greatness of this underappreciated poet-writer-sculptor-painter.
Highly recommended (though this is a limited edition and is not readily available).
Highly recommended (though this is a limited edition and is not readily available).
April 12, 2021
Beautiful, wonderful book. My favorite of all the Centipede editions, and that is saying something. The stories are poetic and grotesque. For me, Clark Ashton Smith is the absolute best of the Weird Tales stable of writers. If you haven’t tried him, you’re missing greatness.
July 30, 2025
Very enjoyable collection of Smith's Averoigne stories. As usual, some are a cut above others but still all are quite good or decent. Endings were usually the weakest parts of the stories, it seemed like they were rushed, which is quite weird for such short form of ficiton. Still, even these onse were okay. It definitely got me interested in reading other works of CAS.
HOWEVER, I read this in the Polish edition and I have to say, the afterword is AWFUL - and I fully mean it. I actually got quite mad after reading this disgusting piece of garbage. The authors (as there are two) actually made an argument for the young man in one of the stories to let the witch rape him in order to survive (after he already got raped once while being under effect of some kind of elixir), then they also insinuated that he could've gotten something positive out of that if he survived. Are you fucking kidding? Imagine if this was reversed :) There were other bits that I found quite annoying as well. I'll not be reading anything by written be either of the two "authors" in the future.
HOWEVER, I read this in the Polish edition and I have to say, the afterword is AWFUL - and I fully mean it. I actually got quite mad after reading this disgusting piece of garbage. The authors (as there are two) actually made an argument for the young man in one of the stories to let the witch rape him in order to survive (after he already got raped once while being under effect of some kind of elixir), then they also insinuated that he could've gotten something positive out of that if he survived. Are you fucking kidding? Imagine if this was reversed :) There were other bits that I found quite annoying as well. I'll not be reading anything by written be either of the two "authors" in the future.
October 31, 2021
Although Clark Ashton Smith's (CAS) tales of Averoigne are not quite as remarkable as his Zothique stories, they are still highly worthwhile, and often display an impish sense of humor that did not quite fit the Zothique canon.
The only really strike against these narratives of medieval France is that some of them (such as "The Maker of Gargoyles") are uninspired make-work, not worthy of CAS' considerable talents. At the other end of the spectrum, stories such as "The Colossus of Ylourgne" and "The Disinterment of Venus" are among the author's very best.
Both of those tales feature Christian monks confronting the inequities of the real world intruding into their idealized anchorite lifestyles, scenarios that allow CAS to revel in mocking the pious and the oblivious. It's that touch of ribald humor that elevates the Averoigne tales above the ordinary, and makes them interesting companion pieces to the excellent Zothique fictions.
The only really strike against these narratives of medieval France is that some of them (such as "The Maker of Gargoyles") are uninspired make-work, not worthy of CAS' considerable talents. At the other end of the spectrum, stories such as "The Colossus of Ylourgne" and "The Disinterment of Venus" are among the author's very best.
Both of those tales feature Christian monks confronting the inequities of the real world intruding into their idealized anchorite lifestyles, scenarios that allow CAS to revel in mocking the pious and the oblivious. It's that touch of ribald humor that elevates the Averoigne tales above the ordinary, and makes them interesting companion pieces to the excellent Zothique fictions.
March 9, 2020
I admit I don’t have this exact edition, but my ebook of the same name I believe has all of Smith’s Averoigne stories.
Smith has written story cycles around several fantastic locations, all with a horror bent.
Hyperborea deals with a northern continent of the past, whereas Zothique deals with stories of the distant future with a dying sun.
But if you want more familiar, and what I found, more enchanting ground, you may want to read the stories set in the mythical medieval French land of Averoigne.
Here you’ll find tales of werewolves, wizards, sexy enchantresses, living gargoyles, vampires and frightening toad loving witches.
Ghastly fun!
Smith has written story cycles around several fantastic locations, all with a horror bent.
Hyperborea deals with a northern continent of the past, whereas Zothique deals with stories of the distant future with a dying sun.
But if you want more familiar, and what I found, more enchanting ground, you may want to read the stories set in the mythical medieval French land of Averoigne.
Here you’ll find tales of werewolves, wizards, sexy enchantresses, living gargoyles, vampires and frightening toad loving witches.
Ghastly fun!
November 3, 2018
I wish I hadn't read this book. Haunting, and lovely and horrifying all at the same time. This is a loose collection of stories set in a similar setting - France hundreds of years ago.
If you read this, by the end, you'll be like the characters in the book, lost in a hazy, somewhat foggy, surreal landscape of impressions and experience. You won't like what happens. The illustrations in the book emphasize the mood and enhance it. The experience won't leave you for days.
I wish I hadn't read this book.
If you read this, by the end, you'll be like the characters in the book, lost in a hazy, somewhat foggy, surreal landscape of impressions and experience. You won't like what happens. The illustrations in the book emphasize the mood and enhance it. The experience won't leave you for days.
I wish I hadn't read this book.
April 7, 2022
The Averoigne Chronicles gathers all the stories and poems set in Averoigne - medieval France. There are no obvious connections between the stories other than the setting of Averoigne. There are some really good short stories, especially, “A Night in Malénant” “Maker of Gargoyles” and “Colossus of Ylourgne” to name a few. The themes cover, sorcery, witchcraft, the supernatural, and the quest for eternal life.
Clark Ashton Smith uses a similar prose style to Lovecraft, flowery, purple prose. If you’ve read Lovecraft and you enjoy his writing, chances are you will enjoy these stories albeit with a supernatural fantasy setting rather than horror.
I enjoyed this collection by Smith, his stories are nice easy reads. His poems are standout and very well written. Overall, an enjoyable collection, I shall be reading more Clark Ashton Smith in the future.
Clark Ashton Smith uses a similar prose style to Lovecraft, flowery, purple prose. If you’ve read Lovecraft and you enjoy his writing, chances are you will enjoy these stories albeit with a supernatural fantasy setting rather than horror.
I enjoyed this collection by Smith, his stories are nice easy reads. His poems are standout and very well written. Overall, an enjoyable collection, I shall be reading more Clark Ashton Smith in the future.
October 17, 2022
It was fine, interesting and of the age and style of Cthulu and Lovecraft without being as bizarre or as troubling.
I read it mostly as background for a D&D adventure I'm running, Castle Amber X-2. One section of the module is based on the Averoigne that Clark Ashton Smith created, a medieval France, where the devil is loose, magic is outlawed and the righteous are in danger of losing their souls. It is a perfect companion for this adventure and allows you to flesh out a segment that we treated very perfunctorily when I first played it 40 odd years ago.
It is interesting and atmospheric on it's own, but Ashton Smith always seems to be written in little case letters next to HP Lovecraft and Robert Howard who were his more famous contemporaries.
I enjoyed the stories but without the aim in mind I had I'm not sure that they would resonate with me.
I read it mostly as background for a D&D adventure I'm running, Castle Amber X-2. One section of the module is based on the Averoigne that Clark Ashton Smith created, a medieval France, where the devil is loose, magic is outlawed and the righteous are in danger of losing their souls. It is a perfect companion for this adventure and allows you to flesh out a segment that we treated very perfunctorily when I first played it 40 odd years ago.
It is interesting and atmospheric on it's own, but Ashton Smith always seems to be written in little case letters next to HP Lovecraft and Robert Howard who were his more famous contemporaries.
I enjoyed the stories but without the aim in mind I had I'm not sure that they would resonate with me.
February 20, 2025
A decent collection that often gets heralded as Smith's best setting. Averoigne is atmospheric, without a doubt, but the stories ultimately lacked some of the otherworldly charm of the usual CAS story. All preferential, but they felt a little more generically gothic and like a departure from his usual cosmic-inclined style.
May 30, 2025
Great tone and setting!
Though a bit too much stories of “Young man getting seduced by a witch/sorceress” the writing style is beautiful and I generally really liked the stories.
Wish to read more Clark Ashton Smith.
Weird Fantasy best fantasy!
Though a bit too much stories of “Young man getting seduced by a witch/sorceress” the writing style is beautiful and I generally really liked the stories.
Wish to read more Clark Ashton Smith.
Weird Fantasy best fantasy!
July 12, 2024
Superb collection of very well written short stories, each of which has a goodly dose of the macabre or horror. Is the sister short-story collection to Clark Ashton Smith's otherworldly Zothique: The Final Cycle. If you like a bit of creepy eldritch-type horror without the misogyny or racism of H.P. Lovecraft, then CAS is your guy.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews