Golden Cities, Far
Encyclopedia
Golden Cities, Far is an anthology
of fantasy
short stories, edited by Lin Carter
. It was first published in paperback by Ballantine Books
in October 1970 as the twenty-second volume of its celebrated Ballantine Adult Fantasy series
. It was the third such anthology assembled by Carter for the series.
The book collects twelve fantasy tales and poems by various authors, with an overall introduction and notes by Carter. Most of the pieces are Ancient or Medieval in date, and none later than the nineteenth century. The anthology is a companion volume to Carter's earlier Dragons, Elves, and Heroes
(1969), which also collects early fantasies.
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
of fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
short stories, edited by Lin Carter
Lin Carter
Linwood Vrooman Carter was an American author of science fiction and fantasy, as well as an editor and critic. He usually wrote as Lin Carter; known pseudonyms include H. P. Lowcraft and Grail Undwin.-Life:Carter was born in St. Petersburg, Florida...
. It was first published in paperback by Ballantine Books
Ballantine Books
Ballantine Books is a major book publisher located in the United States, founded in 1952 by Ian Ballantine with his wife, Betty Ballantine. It was acquired by Random House in 1973, which in turn was acquired by Bertelsmann AG in 1998 and remains part of that company today. Ballantine's logo is a...
in October 1970 as the twenty-second volume of its celebrated Ballantine Adult Fantasy series
Ballantine Adult Fantasy series
The Ballantine Adult Fantasy series was an imprint of Ballantine Books. Launched in 1969 , the series reissued a number of works of fantasy literature, which were out of print or dispersed in back issues of pulp magazines , in cheap paperback form—including works...
. It was the third such anthology assembled by Carter for the series.
The book collects twelve fantasy tales and poems by various authors, with an overall introduction and notes by Carter. Most of the pieces are Ancient or Medieval in date, and none later than the nineteenth century. The anthology is a companion volume to Carter's earlier Dragons, Elves, and Heroes
Dragons, Elves, and Heroes
Dragons, Elves, and Heroes is an anthology of fantasy short stories, edited by Lin Carter. It was first published in paperback by Ballantine Books in October 1969 as the sixth volume of its celebrated Ballantine Adult Fantasy series...
(1969), which also collects early fantasies.
Contents
- "Introduction" by Lin CarterLin CarterLinwood Vrooman Carter was an American author of science fiction and fantasy, as well as an editor and critic. He usually wrote as Lin Carter; known pseudonyms include H. P. Lowcraft and Grail Undwin.-Life:Carter was born in St. Petersburg, Florida...
- "How Nefer-ka-ptah Found The Book of Thoth" - from the Egyptian Papyri, retold by Brian BrownBrian BrownBrian Brown or Bryan Brown may refer to:* Brian E. Brown, deceased Los Angeles, California, USA police officer* Bryan Brown, Australian actor* Bryan D. Brown, US general* Brian Brown , Australian rules footballer...
- "The Descent of Ishtar to the Netherworld" - from the Sumerian Epic Angalta Kigalshe in a new version by (Lin CarterLin CarterLinwood Vrooman Carter was an American author of science fiction and fantasy, as well as an editor and critic. He usually wrote as Lin Carter; known pseudonyms include H. P. Lowcraft and Grail Undwin.-Life:Carter was born in St. Petersburg, Florida...
) - "Prince Ahmed and the Fairy Paribanou" - from Galland'sAntoine GallandAntoine Galland was a French orientalist and archaeologist, most famous as the first European translator of The Thousand and One Nights...
Les Mille et Une NuitThe Book of One Thousand and One NightsOne Thousand and One Nights is a collection of Middle Eastern and South Asian stories and folk tales compiled in Arabic during the Islamic Golden Age...
in an old English version - "The Talisman of Oromanes" - from the mock-Persian Tales of the Genii, supposedly translated by Sir Charles MorellJames RidleyJames Kenneth Ridley was an English author, who was educated at University College, Oxford. He served as a chaplain with the British Army...
- "Wars of the Giants of Albion" - from the Welsh Historia Regum BritanniaeHistoria Regum BritanniaeThe Historia Regum Britanniae is a pseudohistorical account of British history, written c. 1136 by Geoffrey of Monmouth. It chronicles the lives of the kings of the Britons in a chronological narrative spanning a time of two thousand years, beginning with the Trojans founding the British nation...
by Geoffrey of MonmouthGeoffrey of MonmouthGeoffrey of Monmouth was a cleric and one of the major figures in the development of British historiography and the popularity of tales of King Arthur...
, in a new version by Wayland Smith - "Forty Singing Seamen" - a modern English ballad on an old legend by Alfred NoyesAlfred NoyesAlfred Noyes was an English poet, best known for his ballads, "The Highwayman" and "The Barrel-Organ".-Early years:...
- "The Shadowy Lord of Mommur" - from the French romance Huon of BordeauxHuon of BordeauxHuon of Bordeaux is the title character of a 13th century French epic with romance elements. He is a knight who, after unwittingly killing Charlot, the son of Emperor Charlemagne, is given a reprieve from death on condition that he fulfill a number of seemingly impossible tasks: he must travel to...
, translated by Sir John BourchierJohn BourchierSir John Bourchier or Bourcher was an English parliamentarian, Puritan and one of the regicides of King Charles I.-Life:...
, retold by Robert Steele - "Olivier's Brag" - a modern treatment of a Carolingian legend by Anatole FranceAnatole FranceAnatole France , born François-Anatole Thibault, , was a French poet, journalist, and novelist. He was born in Paris, and died in Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire. He was a successful novelist, with several best-sellers. Ironic and skeptical, he was considered in his day the ideal French man of letters...
, translated by Alfred AllinsonAlfred Richard AllinsonAlfred Richard Allinson was a 19th- and 20th-century British academic, author, and voluminous translator of continental European literature into English. His translations were often published as by A. R. Allinson, Alfred R. Allinson or Alfred Allinson.-Life:Allinson was born in December 1852 in... - "The White Bull" - from the romances of VoltaireVoltaireFrançois-Marie Arouet , better known by the pen name Voltaire , was a French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher famous for his wit and for his advocacy of civil liberties, including freedom of religion, free trade and separation of church and state...
- "The Yellow Dwarf" - from the French Contes Nouvelles ou les Fees, by Madame d'AulnoyMadame d'AulnoyMarie-Catherine Le Jumel de Barneville, Baroness d'Aulnoy , also known as Countess d'Aulnoy, was a French writer known for her fairy tales...
- "Arcalaus the Enchanter" and "The Isle of Wonders" - from the Portuguese Amadis of Gaul, translated by Robert SoutheyRobert SoutheyRobert Southey was an English poet of the Romantic school, one of the so-called "Lake Poets", and Poet Laureate for 30 years from 1813 to his death in 1843...
- "The Palace of Illusions" - from Orlando FuriosoOrlando FuriosoOrlando Furioso is an Italian epic poem by Ludovico Ariosto which has exerted a wide influence on later culture. The earliest version appeared in 1516, although the poem was not published in its complete form until 1532...
by Ludovico AriostoLudovico AriostoLudovico Ariosto was an Italian poet. He is best known as the author of the romance epic Orlando Furioso . The poem, a continuation of Matteo Maria Boiardo's Orlando Innamorato, describes the adventures of Charlemagne, Orlando, and the Franks as they battle against the Saracens with diversions...
, translated by Richard Hodgens