Beyond the Black River [Mass Market Paperback]

Robert E. Howard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2008

Robert Ervin Howard (1906-1936) was an American pulp writer of fantasy, horror, historical adventure, boxing, western, and detective fiction. He is well known for having created the character Conan the Cimmerian, a literary icon whose pop-culture imprint can be compared to such icons as Tarzan of the Apes, Sherlock Holmes, and James Bond. Voracious reading, along with a natural talent for prose writing and the encouragement of teachers, conspired to create in Howard an interest in becoming a professional writer. One by one he discovered the authors that would influence his later work: Jack London and Rudyard Kipling. It's clear from Howard's earliest writings and the recollections of his friends that he suffered from severe depression from an early age. Friends recall him defending the act of suicide as a valid alternative as early as eighteen years old, while many of his stories and poems have a suicidal gloom and intensity that seem prescient in hindsight, describing such an end not as a tragedy but as a release from hell on earth.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Di Filippo's lyrical debut fantasy novel, conceived when he was 18 and written a decade later, features an innocent young hero much in the mold of Voltaire's Candide. After a brief, unexpected meeting with his doppelgänger, perhaps the book's most original if overly enigmatic figure, Thomas Rhymer strides down the Great Road to discover a world "where everything's in harmony." In a series of mild adventures, Rhymer encounters scoundrels, liars, villains and even an upside-down castle. The action picks up a bit when he comes across the scrumptious tidbit Mab, Queen of Faerie, whom he later catches reading Candide. This amiable apprentice work will be of most interest to fans of Di Filippo's more sophisticated fiction (The Steampunk Trilogy; A Mouthful of Tongues; etc.) curious to see a lighter side of this versatile author. (Feb.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Cosmos Books (July 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0843959207
• ISBN-13: 978-0843959208
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #472,341 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #38 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Anthologies
  • #53 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction > Short Stories

More About the Author

(1906-1936) Robert Erwin Howard was born and rasied in rural Texas, where he lived all his life. The son of a pioneer physician, he began writing professionally at the age of fifteen. Howard killed himself in June 1936 when he learned that his beloved mother had fallen into a coma.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spiritual and Speculative Alchemy, August 23, 2008

By 

G. Porter (CO, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Harp, Pipe, & Symphony (Mass Market Paperback)

Many times we pick up a brief bit of fiction for a reprieve from the study of deep lore or historical fact. In this case, you will be sorely disappointed. This is not little dime store novel. This is a journey of alchemical and spiritual allegory disguised as a novel. Excellent read. Open your mind and enjoy.

8 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ROBERT E. HOWARD = THE BEST OF THE BEST!, July 5, 2008

By 

The Barbarian (Cimmeria) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beyond the Black River (Mass Market Paperback)

Beyond The Black River is a gutsy and barbaric struggle of everyday people trying to survive the attacking Picts which are small animalistic men bent on killing innocent men, women, and children. REH Scholars say this is one or if not his best story. I believe Beyond The Black River will make an excellent movie. Mel Gibson or Clint Eastwood would be perfect as they are the best directors/actors in the industry.

The six superb stories in this third edition of Weird Works from pulp magazine Weird Tales of REH are: A Witch Shall Be Born, The Grisly Horror, Jewels of Gwahlur, Beyond The Black River, The Challenge From Beyond (Horror),and Shadows in Zamboula - 352 pages.

These two horror stories were the first time I've read them and they scared the daylights out of me. The Thing on The Roof (People of the Dark)and Pigeons From Hell (The Black Stranger) are two excellent horror stories. To me, Pigeons From Hell is the scariest! Don't read these stories alone at night.

Highly recommend Volumes One and Two! An introduction in future volumes by the likes of Paul Herman, Don Herron, Mark Finn, Joe Lansdale, Jim & Ruth Keegan, etc. would be nice.

Red Nails is one of my other favorite REH stories and can be found in Crimson Shadows -The Best of REH by Del Rey Vol 2. Vol 1 is a must have, too as is Rogues In The House.

Must reads: Blood & Thunder, The Life & Art of REH by Mark Finn, One Who Walked Alone by Novalyne Price Ellis, The Barbaric Triumph and The Dark Barbarian by Don Herron, Two-Gun Bob, The Last of The Trunk and Selected Letter of REH at REH Foundation, Dark Horse Comics Conan & Pigeons From Hell, Marvel Conan B&W Magazine of the seventies by Roy Thomas & John Buscema, Almuric, The Star Rover by Jack London which had a major influence on REH, Bran Mak Morn, All Conans, Kull, El Borak, Solomon Kane, Boxing stories - Steve Costigan, Lord of Samarcand, The Black Stranger & Other American Tales, Cormac Mac Art, and more!!

Be sure to tell others about REH as if you've never read one of his stories before it's similar to the first time wearing glasses and seeing the world differently and being in awe! Reread them and you'll encounter details overlooked before. Enjoy!!