The King of Speculative Fiction: Fritz Leiber
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- Опубліковано 31 жов 2023
- Have you wondered what to read by "the only writer ever to receive the Grand Master Award of the Science Fiction Writers of America, the Grand Master Award of the Horror Writers of America, and the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement"? I give you some novels and short stories in all three genres to check out.
Fritz Leiber Jr, 1910-1992, writing carrer 1939-1988.
Stories mentioned:
Fantasy novels
- Swords Against Death
- Swords And Deviltry
- The Swords of Lankhmar
Sci-fi novels
- The Green Millennium
- The Big Time
- The Wanderer
- Gather, Darkness!
- The Night of the Long Knives
Horror novels
- Our Lady of Darkness
- Conjure Wife
Fantasy short stories
- Lean Times in Lankhmar
- The Two Best Thieves in Lankhmar
- Stardock
- Ill Met in Lankhmar
- The Sadness of the Executioner
Sci-fi short stories
- Coming Attraction
- A Pail of Air
- Poor Superman/Appointment in Tomorrow
Horror short stories
- The Automatic Pistol
- The Girl with the Hungry Eyes
- Smoke Ghost
- Belsen Express
- The Mind Spider
I also briefly mention “To Arkham and the Stars”, “The Terror from the Depths”, “Catch that Zeppelin!”, and “Ship of Shadows”
I didn't even get to mention stories like "Gonna Roll the Bones" or "The Hill and the Hole" or "The Enormous Bedroom" or "Cry Witch!" or "The Power of the Puppets" or "The Oldest Soldier"...
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My favorite Fantasy Sci Fi short story is Gonna Roll the Bones.
My favorite humorous one is Ill Met in Lankhmar.
"Oh Indeed. To be Sure", said Fafrhd, rolling his eyes.
Both amazing, good taste!
My favourite Leiber book is the brilliant 'Our Lady of Darkness'!
I started a reread of the F&GM stories a while back, but got bogged down in the first story, which was the young Fafhrd intro. I have to admit, I really didn't really like it, so I agree with your suggesting starting with the stories in book 2, which were written much earlier.
I was very much getting used to Leiber when I read Swords & Deviltry and many likely bounce off of it when they'd enjoy other things, you get a better idea of him in book two but I love Ill Met.
Here are two of my favorites of his horror stories you didn't mention: "Four Ghosts In Hamlet," and "The Button Moulder." I'd read "Four Ghosts" years before I found the Leiber website (he was deceased by this time!) and sent them a note saying that Leiber was an influence on my becoming a writer. Justin Leiber wrote me back and said that if I wanted to know what his Dad was like I should read "Four Ghosts." And I first read "The Button Moulder" in an anthology I had just unpacked when I was unpacking boxes after moving into a new house and was pooped one evening. So I sat down and pulled out the book and I hope your experience reading it was as spooky as mine; in a darkening house, lengthening shadows with the orange and purple colors of sunset surrounding you! Thanks for this video about one of my favorite writers!
Happy to provide, he’s one of my favorites too!
I may have read a Leiber story when I was in Grade School (!!!) and then in 69/70 I saw his "The Dead Man" done on a TV show called "Night Gallery." Later on they did "The Girl With the Hungry Eyes."
I wish his stories were still getting adapted!
So do I!@@LiamsLyceum
Great video. Your enthusiasm is infectious!
:D
Yes, I've noticed Leiber is one of those fantasy authors alongside Howard who's been somewhat forgotten about. I don't think that's fair at all, a lot of his stuff is really good. Admittedly, I've only read his Fafhrd and The Grey Mouser stories (I haven't read the last couple because I hear he gets too carried away with the sexual stuff) but I think he's a talented author who deserves more credit than he gets. Great video Liam.
Thanks, Britton. I'm here to help people not forget him.
Although I’m twice your age, you’re far better read in the old school than I am. 😆 I’ve read the F&tGM stories, and will re-read them soon(ish), but it’s great to listen to you drop so much unknown (to me) Leiber knowledge! Keep it up! ♥️
A fun Leiber fact: Gary Gygax said that when they were creating D&D, The Grey Mouser was what they were thinking of when creating the thief class. 🙂
@@MattonBooks Thanks, Matt! I’m glad the video is useful. Hearing Gray Mouser was the inspiration for the Thief class is cool and makes sense to me.
Without Fritz's creation of Fafhrd & the Grey Mouser, Michael J. Sullivan would never have created Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater of The Riyria Chronicles and Revelations. They're essentially the blueprint for these characters.
And Hadrian and Royce are good ones. I really need to read the Chronicles, I think I may like them more than Revelations.
Awesome video. Thanks for the recommendations, I need to read some Leiber and will be looking at some of the books you recommend here.
Happy to help! Congrats on getting into Crimson Quill btw
This was a perfect primer!
Happy to help 🫡
Will give him a look. Best wishes.
Thanks!
I discovered Leiber this year. "Lean Times in Lankhmar" is one of the best, funniest short stories I've ever read. Leiber seems to have a worldliness and a sense of humor that come through more than in other writers of the period.
I definitely like his humor and wit. There are a few things that make him stand out compared to many of his contemporaries. I'm glad you've discovered him!
I just read ‘Lean times’ the other day and I was very impressed with how he described the way religion works in Lankhmar, it was very original.
There is a" holy Trinity" of American fantastic fiction in the 20th century: Lovecraft, Bradbury and Leiber.
I’ve not heard that but I can agree with it
**starts banging fists on the dinner table**
STITCH UPS
STITCH UPS
STITCH
UPS
I’m partial
I love Fritz Leiber's early work but I wish 'Our Lady of Darkness' didn't have so much 'self'-referential stuff regarding the genre. It reminds me too much that I'm reading fiction and kills suspection of disbelief on the spot.
I think it works really well insinuating that other authors of the ilk actually experienced real supernatural things.
@@LiamsLyceum I like the idea that writers of the supernatural experience real supernatural avents but I'd personally prefer if he had have disquised them, just like I believe Fafhrd is a fantasy version of himself.