[Pontifex]

Wow, old thread but i'm now just seeing it (i think. i don't recall seeing it before) but I just have to say this:



PB!!! DUDE!!! You did that??? that is f-ing amazing! If your talent is even more refined now - WOW! I would love to see what you could do now! Seriously, you should submit it. That is truly great work.

back on topic though - I read Fifty-One Tales by Lord Dunsany and loved it. Spring in Town is probably my favorite of the stories. I don't care whether he's the father or uncle of modern S&S, he's good!

[PainBrush]

Don't know how I missed this topic last week !?

deuce said:

Just found out that Vincent Price did some Dunsany recordings way back, including "Gibbelins". Don't know much more than that, though.

Man that is great to know ! - That is 'if' I can track down a copy of it ! I actually never had heard of that - & I have a smallish pile of obscure old records done by Vincent Price that I sought out & collected - stuff like recordings about witchcraft/demonology etc. He definitely had one of the most recognisable voices in the world , evokative & creepy as hell at times too - fits perfectly for all the scary records & movies he narrated . I'd bet he really nails the eerie quality of some of Dunsanies darker stuff ! I'm going to hunt down a copy for sure now that I know that exists .
- That's a sculpt I did of Vincent Price . I own and worked off of/next to an original life-mask casting of his face for special-effects makeup - from I believe it was around the time of "Doctor Phibes' - or Phibes Rises Again ? Don't remember which one for sure & don't wanna try to dig out the certificate . Anyhow - from the early '70's . - Cost me a pretty penny to buy that at a live auction too ! - The cost of that one prevented me from being the winning bidder on Christopher Lees specFx face cast for the last Hammer Dracula film he did which I would have much preferred - but didn't know was going to be up for auction .

Pontifex said:

PB!!! DUDE!!! You did that??? that is f-ing amazing! If your talent is even more refined now - WOW! I would love to see what you could do now! Seriously, you should submit it. That is truly great work.

Thanks for the compliment P. ! - I don't know if my talent is any more refined right now 'yet' , - I slacked off drawing & painting for a number of years when my forsaken 'art career' didn't quite take off way back then - I got dis-heartened a little by a handful of rejection slips from a few different comics companies & book editors because horror story stuff wasn't selling at all in comics during those years - & that was basically the only type of art in my portfolio beside some few S.&S. things ( which also didn't seem to be selling for some years back then , but there were a million artists who already had that market completely covered , I couldn't compete at all back then against long established working painters ).

I got into construction/painting ( house-painting , not painting-painting ) & other jobs over the years , but I did a lot of sign-painting , murals , graphics & stuff to get a steady paycheck coming in & delayed , delayed , delayed getting any 'real' art career rolling , until I fell off a ladder & practically crippled myself for the past month of moons - So I've been slowly trying to get my art-mojo working again after getting rusty for so long , on some paintings & other stuff to try & put together a decent portfolio . I've found out that it's not exactly like riding a bike , I still have an artists eye - but getting my clumsy hands to do what my eyes & brain tell them to - it takes a while , practice makes perfect & all of that . If I keep on working at it I'll be a 'starving artist' someday soon though !! All the great artists who post stuff on these boards & links to their online stuff & websites , & hearing from the actual pro. artists who post here all the time & are working in books & comics is really inspiring , & compliments like yours is really inspiring - thanks man !

The Dunsany you've already read - if it catches your imagination - definitely hunt down more of his stuff , he was one hell of an imaginative writer & that isn't his best I.M.Op. . A lot of his stuff has some weird surrealistic dream-state quality to it , fantasy lit. for sure - but in a mature way , not all elves & happy unicorn crap - dark fantasy I guess is as good a term for it as any other . There's a lot of understated sinister menace in some of his tales even in ones that on the surface almost sound like childrens fables . & he puts the Bros. Grimm to shame for sure in some of his stuff you can tell was written to scare the hell out of kids or steal their imaginations . I know that description falls way short of what I really mean , but you & any other fans probably know what I mean - he's not an author people 'kind-of' like - it seems that you either get lost in his work & really like it , or you just dislike it . I have an old hardcover original edition of Gods , Men and Ghosts that's about threadbare from reading & re-reading over & over - no idea what it would be worth collector-wise if it was like 'new' - but of all the books of his that I have , that ones got most of my favorites in it .

This post has been edited by PAINBRUSH: 20 June 2007 - 06:33 PM

[Sermon Bath]

Obviously Howard had literally dozens of influences. I will say that if you read a Harold Lamb crusader tale and then read a Howard crusader tale its pretty hard to see the difference...both awesome and VERY similar. I personally think Sword and sorcery is the oldest type of tales there is.....The Iliad, Hercules, Gilgamesh, Beowulf, King Arthur, Samson, ulysses, Cormac Mac Art, David and Goliath,and lots more are just a few examples. I think that was one of Howard's secrets..........he went back to the beginning......to the ORIGINAL GENRE......it seemed to work out ok too.,

[Hawkbrother]

I have all 5 of the Ballantine Adult Fantasy Dunsany books. The 3 novels, "King of Elfland's Daughter, "The Charwoman's Shadow", and "Don Rodriquez." And the two short story anthologies "At The Edge of the World", and "Beyond the Fields We Know." In the Introduction to the first ss collection, Lin Carter lists those whom Dunsany influenced and says "possibly Robert E.Howard."
Dunsany, along with William Morris and E.R. Eddison, is considered one of the founders of modern Heroic Fantasy,of which Sword and Sorcery can be considered a subgenre.
Maybe there were other s&s writers around at the time-but I think it is Howard that has had the most influence in shaping the future of it. I see S&S as differing from heroic fantasy in the Tolkien vein in that among other things there is more emphasis on action,and less on background building and character description.
I see that there are some Dunsany books available on Amazon. May have to add them to my collection, which is obviously far from complete. Perhaps a Jorkens book-Arkham House published at least one Jorkens collection years ago.
I have just noticed how Dunsanian some of the names in the Harry Potter books are, especially when he is writing more whimsically. JK Rowling is British-its not inconceivable that she read some Dunsany at some point

This post has been edited by Hawkbrother: 25 July 2007 - 01:43 PM

[Rusty Burke]

deuce, on Jun 12 2007, 12:41 PM, said:

Just found out that Vincent Price did some Dunsany recordings way back, including "Gibbelins". :D Don't know much more than that, though. :(

Thanks to the wonders of Google:

http://www.thesoundo...com/wonder.html

It has a link to the voice recordings, but it looks like you have to register to listen.

Rusty

[Mikey_C]

Fantastic link, Rusty; I've signed up.

Vincent Price was one of the greats!

[Pontifex]

I need a Lord Dunsany scholar or just someone who knows a lot about him and his work.

I read Tales of War by Lord Dunsany the other day and I really liked it. Were the stories actual events that he witnessed during the war, based on events during the war, complete fabrications, or a mixture of all 3?

When I read most books, I am quite able to imagine the things being described, but Dunsany just takes it way beyond that. When I read his stories, it takes no effort for me imagine that I am there. I've read a lot of stuff over the years and I can't say I've ever read anything quite like Dunsany. The man was a pure literary genius.

I've read that he wrote an autobiography. Anyone know what it is called and if there is any way to get a copy of it? This man seems to have led an amazing life and I would love to read more about him.

[PainBrush]

I'm no Dunsany scholar or expert , just a big fan . The man was truly amazing in not only his writing but in some of the stuff he accomplished in his incredible life . Normally like most other barbarians -I dislike rich folks & 'aristocracy' just on basic principle , - this guy honestly makes me truly admit how stupid that is of myself !! He's someone to emulate for sure . He served in the Boer war & was a Fuselier in WW.I & was in like 'homeland security' in WW.II ( can't remember the English name for it , sorry ) His Tales of War is one I have to admit I haven't read yet , but I recall reading somewhere that it's really stuff he speaks of first-hand , but just like with any author it might bear keeping in mind he liked to spin a great yarn & his writing arena of choice & expertise was 'fantasy' . However with the things he is known to have accomplished in his life there's no reason to think he was ever a bull$h!tter & when he's pulling his readers legs in any of his writing he does make it very obvious & usually humorous . Among other things I know he was a professor of literature at one time also . With such a man you'd expect he would have poetically perished in battle or rushing into a burning building saving people , but alack the poor codger passed away from appendicitis ! One thing to keep in mind when reading his stories & poetry - he 'never' re-wrote or did multiple drafts of any his work supposedly - it's written as it first occurred to him & left as-is , hard to believe with the quality of some of his stories - but it is unfortunately evident that it's definitely true of his poetry , it's not his best writing at all , that honor remains to his stories/fables I.m.h.op.

[Pontifex]

PAINBRUSH, on Sep 12 2007, 02:47 PM, said:

I'm no Dunsany scholar or expert , just a big fan . The man was truly amazing in not only his writing but in some of the stuff he accomplished in his incredible life . Normally like most other barbarians -I dislike rich folks & 'aristocracy' just on basic principle , - this guy honestly makes me truly admit how stupid that is of myself !! He's someone to emulate for sure . He served in the Boer war & was a Fuselier in WW.I & was in like 'homeland security' in WW.II ( can't remember the English name for it , sorry ) His Tales of War is one I have to admit I haven't read yet , but I recall reading somewhere that it's really stuff he speaks of first-hand , but just like with any author it might bear keeping in mind he liked to spin a great yarn & his writing arena of choice & expertise was 'fantasy' . However with the things he is known to have accomplished in his life there's no reason to think he was ever a bull$h!tter & when he's pulling his readers legs in any of his writing he does make it very obvious & usually humorous . Among other things I know he was a professor of literature at one time also . With such a man you'd expect he would have poetically perished in battle or rushing into a burning building saving people , but alack the poor codger passed away from appendicitis ! One thing to keep in mind when reading his stories & poetry - he 'never' re-wrote or did multiple drafts of any his work supposedly - it's written as it first occurred to him & left as-is , hard to believe with the quality of some of his stories - but it is unfortunately evident that it's definitely true of his poetry , it's not his best writing at all , that honor remains to his stories/fables I.m.h.op.

So true, PB! I have Fifty One Tales, the first Lord Dunsany book I ever read and it has some info about the man in the beginning. He did A LOT. I was reading the wikipedia page about him earlier today. I hope it was all true, but due to the nature of Wikipedia, you never know. He definitely did a lot of stuff, that's another reason that I want to try to find this autobiography he wrote. Heck, even a biography would be great also.

[deuce]

Dunsany was also a distant cousin of Sir Richard Burton. Powerful, adventurous blood. BTW, the three autobiographies he wrote were Patches of Sunlight, When the Sirens Slept and The Sirens Wake. ST Joshi has written a fairly exhaustive book on Dunsany called Lord Dunsany: Master of the Anglo-Irish Imagination. Hope that helps.

[Pontifex]

deuce, on Sep 12 2007, 11:34 PM, said:

Dunsany was also a distant cousin of Sir Richard Burton. Powerful, adventurous blood. BTW, the three autobiographies he wrote were Patches of Sunlight, When the Sirens Slept and The Sirens Wake. ST Joshi has written a fairly exhaustive book on Dunsany called Lord Dunsany: Master of the Anglo-Irish Imagination. Hope that helps.

Thanks Deuce!

My next question is where can I find a copy of The Collected Jorkens, Vol. 1 for less than $100? lol
I already ordered Vol. 2 and 3 because I found them at decent prices, but Vol. 1 seems very rare and often goes for $100+ when I do find a copy.

[John Maddox Roberts]

Lucky for him he had a title. I mean, does Edward John Moreton Drax Plunkett sound like a compelling name for a fantasy-adventure writer? And he'd get writer's cramp after autographing just a few books.

[Pontifex]

Well, I officially spent the most money I've ever spent on a book. I bought a copy of The Collected Jorkens Vol. 1.

$105 off Ebay. It's the cheapest I've been able to find it. The auction says its in brand new condition.

I don't get why that one is so expensive compared to the other 2 though. Vol. 2 and 3 can be had new for less than $25. Were there more copies of those made than the first one?

[Skarthi]

PAINBRUSH, on Sep 12 2007, 07:47 PM, said:

I'm no Dunsany scholar or expert , just a big fan . The man was truly amazing in not only his writing but in some of the stuff he accomplished in his incredible life . Normally like most other barbarians -I dislike rich folks & 'aristocracy' just on basic principle , - this guy honestly makes me truly admit how stupid that is of myself !! He's someone to emulate for sure . He served in the Boer war & was a Fuselier in WW.I & was in like 'homeland security' in WW.II ( can't remember the English name for it , sorry ) His Tales of War is one I have to admit I haven't read yet , but I recall reading somewhere that it's really stuff he speaks of first-hand , but just like with any author it might bear keeping in mind he liked to spin a great yarn & his writing arena of choice & expertise was 'fantasy' . However with the things he is known to have accomplished in his life there's no reason to think he was ever a bull$h!tter & when he's pulling his readers legs in any of his writing he does make it very obvious & usually humorous . Among other things I know he was a professor of literature at one time also . With such a man you'd expect he would have poetically perished in battle or rushing into a burning building saving people , but alack the poor codger passed away from appendicitis ! One thing to keep in mind when reading his stories & poetry - he 'never' re-wrote or did multiple drafts of any his work supposedly - it's written as it first occurred to him & left as-is , hard to believe with the quality of some of his stories - but it is unfortunately evident that it's definitely true of his poetry , it's not his best writing at all , that honor remains to his stories/fables I.m.h.op.

http://en.wikipedia....tish_Home_Guard

or perhaps you may have seen this old tv series-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dads_Army

[deuce]

Pontifex, on Sep 14 2007, 04:01 PM, said:

I don't get why that one is so expensive compared to the other 2 though. Vol. 2 and 3 can be had new for less than $25. Were there more copies of those made than the first one?

Hey Pontifex! I imagine you're right. Night Shade probably had a "wait and see" attitude. I have Jason Williams' (from NS) number/email, I might ask him. Considering how the Jorkens is doing, I imagine my first volume of CAS is gonna go up too. It's already sold out. Like I said on another thread, fantasy/horror fans should support Night Shade. They publish excellent books by excellent authors. I just picked up the Glen Cook Dread Empire books from them. Very nicely done.

Hey Skarthi! Have you read A Warrior Race by Lawrence James? An excellent overview of the English/British fighting-man over the last millenium. He's written great books on the Raj and the Empire as well.

[deuce]

Just thought I'd mention that my man, former commando in His Majesty's service, Christopher Lee, did an adaptation of The King of Efland's Daughter back in 1977 with a couple of members of Steeleye Span. Just how much cooler can one dude (Lee or Dunsany, take yer pick) be?

[Pontifex]

If someone knows of a Lord Dunsany forum, please, let me know!

As some of you may have noticed, I am a big fan of Lord Dunsany. I've read several of his books (and then some) and I have read all 3 of his autobiographies.

Even after all that, I still have questions about the man.

Where did he get all the money to do all the things he did? Obviously he made some money off his books and stuff, but I can't imagine it was much at the time, and even before then, he needed money. He did political work, participated in the military, and gave lectures, but again, I can't imagine that paid all that much. He hunted and traveled a lot. Now, he pretty much always was the guest of someone, whether it was some prince or other noble, so maybe he really didn't need much money?

I guess since he was of nobility that his family had money and he inherited it? How did they make their money?

[PainBrush]

He inherited loot from a long line of so called "robber-baron" forefather Dunsanies before him , i don't at the moment recall if i've ever read what industries they made their fortunes at in particular . But money breeds money as they say . If you do find any Dunsany forums make sure to post it here , i'm sure there's at least a handful of us barbarians who would definitely check it out .

This post has been edited by PAINBRUSH: 30 October 2007 - 09:44 PM

[Mikey_C]

The Dunsany family had a website, but it seems to have disappeared. Bits of it are still on cache here, here, and here and give some good info. The family had very old money (meaning - someone once bashed someone else over the head with an iron mace to get it!), but his father was an engineer and installed reland's first telephone system.

An independent income. Now, that's just what I need to complete my masterpieces...

PS: Here's the family pad. It looks like you can book it for a party. Now there's an idea!

[deuce]

Late-breaking update from our very own "Ningauble"...

A film adaptation of Dunsany's novel, My Talks With Dean Spanley, is in production. It stars Peter O'Toole (hopefully he'll get his Oscar), Sam Neill and Bryan Brown. Here's a link:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135968/

...and since Mikey's Dunsany links all seem to be out to lunch , here's one:

http://www.dunsany.net/18th.htm