Zothique and Hyperborean Cycle

[mabon5127]

I got about half way through the Hyperborean Cycle this weekend and will then read the collection of stories making up the Zothique Cycle.

This is mandatory reading for Reffing ASSH. Well its not really but it sure is fun!

Its also free online.

www.eldritchdark.com/

Morgan

[monk]

Is there a list on that site of which stories make up those cycles? I have "Return of the Sorcerer", a compilation that served as a nice intro to CAS. The stories I most enjoyed from it were the Hyperborean and Zothique tales, though, so I'd like to specifically read the rest next.

[Ghul]

I've often wondered whether Zothique influenced Vance's way of thinking as he developed the Dying Earth stories. He's been interviewed enough times; I wonder if the question has been asked . . .

[mabon5127]

Aug 27, 2012 7:56:16 GMT -6 monk said:

Is there a list on that site of which stories make up those cycles? I have "Return of the Sorcerer", a compilation that served as a nice intro to CAS. The stories I most enjoyed from it were the Hyperborean and Zothique tales, though, so I'd like to specifically read the rest next.

Wikipedia has a list for both but I dont know if they are definative.

[paulg]

Aug 27, 2012 7:56:16 GMT -6 monk said:

Is there a list on that site of which stories make up those cycles? I have "Return of the Sorcerer", a compilation that served as a nice intro to CAS. The stories I most enjoyed from it were the Hyperborean and Zothique tales, though, so I'd like to specifically read the rest next.

www.eldritchdark.com/articles/criticism/67/cycles-of-clark-ashton-smith

Googling clark ashton smith story cycles gives good results too.

[monk]

Thanks!

[mythos]

I have to encourage any reading of CAS. Smith, lovecraft, and Howard are the three writers that anyone running AS&SoH needs to be familiar with.
Yes, there are others that rightfully deserve their own accolades, but it was these three that started it all.

[talysman]

Aug 27, 2012 7:56:27 GMT -6 Ghul said:

I've often wondered whether Zothique influenced Vance's way of thinking as he developed the Dying Earth stories. He's been interviewed enough times; I wonder if the question has been asked . . .

I've often thought the same thing. I've read Vance, but only some short minor story (excerpt?) of the Dying Earth sequence... that story, and what I've read about the Dying Earth, seem to match Zothique's ideas and style pretty closely, with maybe some additions from CAS's stories about Maal Dweb, the omnipotent sorcerer.

[Eibon of Mhu-Thulan]

Chaosium publishes stories by Clark Ashton Smith.

[Deleted]

There's a 6-volume collection of all CAS's stories, but I can't recall its name.

[Ghul]

Mar 12, 2013 15:39:38 GMT -6 @sirravd said:

There's a 6-volume collection of all CAS's stories, but I can't recall its name.

Are you thinking of the Night Shade Collection? They are fantastic.

[blackadder23]

I picked up the Necronomicon Press editions of Zothique and Hyperborea on ebay for about $20 each. I definitely recommend both. I got one or more adventure ideas from literally every single story.