Swords and Sorcery

by L. Sprague de Camp (Editor), Virgil Finlay (Illustrator)

A collection of eight stories/novellettes of heroic fantasy, selected and with an introduction by L. Sprague De Camp.

Contains stories by Poul Anderson, H. P. Lovecraft, Robert E. Howard, Henry Kuttner, Lord Dunsany, Clark Ashton Smith, C. L. Moore, and Fritz Leiber.

Contents:

7 · Introduction: Heroic Fantasy · L. Sprague de Camp · in
11 · The Valor of Cappen Varra [Cappen Varra] · Poul Anderson · ss Fantastic Universe Jan ’57
27 · Distressing Tale of Thangobrind the Jeweller · Lord Dunsany · ss The Sketch Jan 11 ’11
33 · Shadows in the Moonlight [Conan] · Robert E. Howard · nv Weird Tales Apr ’34
67 · The Citadel of Darkness [Prince Raynor] · Henry Kuttner · nv Strange Stories Aug ’39
97 · When the Sea-King’s Away [Fafhrd & Gray Mouser] · Fritz Leiber · nv Fantastic May ’60
123 · The Doom That Came to Sarnath [revised from The Slot Jun ’20] · H. P. Lovecraft · ss Weird Tales Jun ’38
133 · Hellsgarde [Jirel of Joiry] · C. L. Moore · nv Weird Tales Apr ’39
169 · The Testament of Athammaus · Clark Ashton Smith · ss Weird Tales Oct ’32

Genres: Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery, Anthologies, Speculative Fiction, Science Fiction

186 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1963

About the author

Lyon Sprague de Camp was an American author of science fiction, fantasy and non-fiction literature. In a career spanning 60 years, he wrote over 100 books, both novels and works of non-fiction, including biographies of other fantasy authors. He was a major figure in science fiction in the 1930s and 1940s.

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of several anthologies of swords & sorcery stories that de Camp edited for Pyramid Books in the 1960s, all of which came with excellent illustrations by the wonderful Virgil Finlay. It's quite nice to see how the genre stood in the days before D&D and Magic conquered the Earth and before Conan was a movie star. De Camp includes one of Howard's Conan stories, Shadows in the Moonlight, as well as two of my other favorites, a Fafhrd & the Grey Mouser story by Fritz Leiber and a Jirel of Joiry story by C.L. Moore. Other unusual but interesting selections include stories by H.P. Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Smith, and Lord Dunsany. True fantasy classics, all.

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

In his introduction, de Camp posits the same basic historical progression as Lin Carter flogged for the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series and afterward: William Morris was the first modern writer of constructed-world fantasy, and from there to Lord Dunsany and so on.

But after stating this, de Camp is not here to step through it chronologically. This is a variety grab-bag sampler of styles and plots, ranging from Howard's extremely straightforward "Shadows in the Moonlight" to the dreamlike Dunsany and Clark Ashton Smith pieces to Henry Kuttner and C. L. Moore. Of them, only Lovecraft's "The Doom That Came to Sarnath" stands out as an odd choice, as it lacks a character focus.

Also, Virgil Finlay artwork. Who can argue with that?

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swords &Sorcery edited by L. Sprague de Camp
Pyramid Books
December 1963
186 pages
Cover art and interior art by Virgil Finlay

This has to be one of the best anthologies I've ever had the pleasure to read. The table of contents is a who's who of classic sword & sorcery authors. It is hard to imagine when this book was new--a couple of these fantastic authors were still alive! This December it will have been sixty-one years since this book was published.

De Camp edited the collection, wrote the introduction, and a brief blurb about each author before their respective stories. Each story also begins with a stellar piece of art by Virgil Finlay.

The Valor of Cappen Varra by Poul Anderson concerns the titular minstrel who confronts a troll in her own abode. I've read quite a bit from others about this character, it is my understanding that he turns up in the Thieves World stories too. Poul Anderson has yet to disappoint.

Historically I understand the significance of Lord Dunsany stories but by and large I fail to enjoy them. Such is the case with the short-ish Distressing Tale of Thangobrind the Jeweller.

Shadows in the Moonlight by Robert E Howard was a tread because I've rarely seen it in collections. Conan is trapped on an island, caught between some pirates and the dark things that lurk on the isand.

The Citadel of Darkness by Henry Kuttner was the fiirst Prince Raynor story I've ever read. I didn't like the way he addressed or treated his boon companion. An interesting use of the zodiac.

I enjoy the Fafhrd and Gray Mouser stories by Fritz Leiber, but I have trouble following the wordplay. I have to read the story very carefully. The duo find a titillating adventure under the sea. Fafhrd poking holes in the sea walls and making the Mouser so anxious was perhaps the best part of the story.

The Doom That Came to Sarnath by H.P. Lovecraft is another story that is all too short. This story is often used in collections like this. A cautionary fable.

Hellsgarde by C.L. Moore is perhaps my favorite. I am jaded of course because the ace edition of Jirel of Joiry was my introduction to S&S. This was a great choice for the collection too with a dark setting and a palpable menace in the air.

The Testament of Athammaus by Clark Ashton Smith is set within his Hyperborea cycle. It concerns the headsman and the bandit of possible extra-terrestrial origin.

It is not necessary to find a copy of Swords & Sorcery to read these stories. Most have been reprinted countless times elsewhere. I think the hardest to find would be the last story, the Clark Ashton one. For one reason or another his books tend to command a steep price second-hand.

[Jerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing collection of swords and sorcery—it probably conforms to its title more than any other book I’ve read. It’s also almost pure D&D. All but two stories involves a fantasy hero braving a dungeon of sorts. The main innovation from D&D is that the heroes could adventure in groups. Of these, only Fritz Leiber’s story involves two heroes of moderately equal status.

The Valor of Cappen Varra (Poul Anderson): Cappen Varra braves a troll hut to retrieve fire—and the king’s daughter.

Distressing Tale of Thangobrind the Jeweller (Lord Dunsany). The problem of what to call thieves predated D&D, since most thieves probably won’t call themselves thieves. Thangobrind specializes in stealing jewelry, and so calls himself a Jeweller. He enters an ancient temple to outsmart the priests and steal the treasure of their god.

Shadows in the Moonlight (Robert E. Howard): I now need to read some Conan. I’ve only read Conan stories by people other than Howard, and this is head and shoulders above that. Conan discovers an ancient castle or temple filled with strange statues, on an island of strange creatures.

The Citadel of Darkness (Henry Kuttner): Prince Raynor must enter the castle of a sorceror, pass tests based on a fictional zodiac, to retrieve his kidnapped love.

When the Sea King’s Away (Fritz Leiber): Fafrhd and the Gray Mouser descend into a watery dungeon to adventure with sea-witches and mermaids.

The Doom that Came to Sarnath (H.P. Lovecraft): The only story that does not involve an individual striving against strange creatures, it is still one of the more evocative Lovecraft stories.

Hellsgarde (C.L. Moore): Jirel of Joiry enters a dark castle to meet strange creatures and retrieve a treasure.

The Testament of Athammaus (Clark Aston Smith): An urban warrior—the headsman of the king of Commoriom—strives against a supernatural and bloodthirsty villain, who presents a puzzle that must be solved if Commoriom is to be saved.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had read somewhere that this was one of the first (and best) fantasy compliations, coming out in 1963. Even though there are some famous authors, I hadn't read any of them before. Being fantasy, there are a ton of weird names for places and characters. In one book, you'd get used to them. But after ten stories in just under 200 pages, they got all jumbled up in my brain. Of course there is some racism (not as much as I thought there would be though) and rampant sexism, probably normal for pulp stuff like that back in the day (and today still I bet).

I am putting down my thoughts on each story, mainly for my own benefit for when I look back on this review someday.

1. The Valor of Cappen Varra by Poul Anderson (1957, 4 of 5 stars). A good start to this book. A nice battle of wits with a cave troll.

2. Distressing Tale of Thangobrind the Jeweller by Lord Dunsany (1912, 2/5). Just a couple pages, nothing to do with Swords or Sorcery really. More of a tretise on being a thief I guess.

3. Shadows in the Moonline by Robert E. Howard (1934, 5/5). I've never read and Conan and can see why people like it. After the last two, I was wondering where this book was going and this one sucked me in right away. Conan rescues girl, ends up in a jungle, bad guys follow. Can't remember if I've ever seen the movie, but I bet this is the plot. :-)

4. The Citadel of Darkness by Henry Kuttner (1939, 5/5). My favorite in the book. I read another review where someone said this is really a D&D type adventure and totally agree. Loosely based on the Zodiac, the heroes go after the bad guy in a series of mini-adventures leading up to the end.

5. When the Sea King's Away by Fritz Leiber (1960, 1/5). I've heard of Fafhrd and they Gray Mouser, but never read one. If the rest are like this, I never will again. Slow, boring and I have no idea what it was about. Imagine some drugs were taken before and while writing this (same can probably be said for all of these, ha ha).

6. The Doom That Came to Sarnath by H.P. Lovecraft (1919, 1/5). I knew of Lovecraft, but not a lot until I started playing more board games 20 or so years ago since there are a ton of Cthulhu settings in board games. This had nothing to do with fantasy and was probably only included since the author's name had some cache. Funny, the two most famous authors are the ones I did not like at all. Anyway it's about a city or something.

7. Hellsgarde by C.L. Moore (1939, 5/5). Nice to see a female author AND a female protagonist, especially in 1963. Great story, rich with detail. Another possible D&D type adventure. Hero goes after some treasure only to end up in a very strange situation. My second favorite in this collection. I will search out for more of her writing. Interesting, this one and my favorite (#4) are from two people that eventually married (right after this was published).

8. The Testamanet of Athammaus by Clark Ashton Smith (1932, 3/5). Took me a couple starts as there are so many "big" words (I think added for comedic effect?) and fantasy names. A tale of a person, a city and a very, very bad monster. I mean, very bad.

I rated this a 3 and then decided to rate each story. I ended up with a total of 26 stars for 8 stories, 3.25 average so my instinct was correct. The usual: A few good, a few OK and a couple downright bad. Fun delve into this type of genre.

[Carlos West · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually very few typical sword and sorcery stories. Compilations often try to be varied in content and this is no exception. It's safe to say that different readers will have different favorites. The Conan story, Shadows in the Moonlight, most will like. Some will say that , The Valor of Cappen Varra, and , The Citadel of Darkness, are the cream of the crop. Fans of HP Lovecraft probably already have, The Doom that Came to Sarnath in their collection. All the authors are well known, no risky picks by the editor. It's good to see a woman as the lead character in Hellsgarde! Fritz Leiber wrote a number of stories featuring the characters Fafhrd and Gray Mouser. When the Sea King's Away, is one of them. Perhaps you've read others and this might be a worthy addition. If not, this story may seem a bit slow. The Testament of Athammaus, may feature the most powerful human-monster of all time. Very atypical story. L. Sprague de Camp's intro is good, but much too short. Nice biographical page preceding each tale. The stories came from Weird Tales, Strange Stories, Marvel Tales, Fantastic Universe Science Fiction, and others. The full page illustrations are a treat and for a 1963 original edition, the paper is still in good condition.

[Tim Deforest]

This is a superb anthology. It leads off with a Poul Anderson story that features a fun plot twist. Then there's a classic of dark fantasy by Lord Dunseny. Robert E. Howard, Henry Kuttner, Fritz Leiber and C.L. Moore are represented by tales featuring Conan, Prince Raynor, Fafhrd & the Grey Mouser and Jirel of Joiry. (The Kuttner story is the second of his two Prince Raynor stories. Because I hadn't read them before, I was forced to pause and find the first one to read before continuing on in this book. Gee whiz, de Camp, he only published two of them and you pick the second! No respect for those of us with Reader's OCD!)

Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith round out the book with tales that are as much horror as sword and sorcery (though the same could be said for the Kuttner and Moore tales as well).

Every story is at least good and several are excellent. For Sword and Sorcery fans, this one is a winner.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Swords and Sorcery is an anthology novel which serves as an introduction to the titular fantasy subgenre. It includes 8 short stories by some of the best sword and sorcery authors, most of which are excellent though there are a couple duds.

The anthology does a good job of introducing readers to sword and sorcery and demonstrating the subgenre’s themes of dark fantasy, adventure, magic, and horror. What I think is interesting about these early fantasy stories is how closely they are tied to eldritch horror (HP Lovecraft is included in the anthology after all). Magic in these tales is less whimsical, and more terrifying.

Of the included short stories, my favorites were:
- The Valor of Cappen Varra (Poul Anderson)
- While the Sea King’s Away (Fritz Leiber)
- Hellsgarde (CL Moore)

[Martin Rundkvist · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read C.L. Moore's and Fritz Leiber's fine stories, skip the rest.

One note of nerd interest: Kuttner's story from 1939 is pretty much a 1970s D&D adventure without the monster stats.

[Tyler Featherstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasy isn't really my thing, but this was a fun collection. Some tales lean nicely into horror, which suited it all well.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe 4 and a half stars. A really good collection. Very pulpish.