Post originally by Lodger at 2004-03-01 14:05:34
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Primus: My compliments on a well-written, amusing review that answered many of the questions I had about Turjan's Tome of Beauty and Horror. For certain, once I get around to running a Turjan-level game, I'll be purchasing said tome.


Secondus: It's nice to see RPGnet *finally* get the review up.


Tertius: I'm in complete agreement with you on the way that the book spends too much time belaboring what Clark Ashton Smith is not, instead of celebrating what he is, which would be complete and utter genius.

(Looking back at your review, I realise that the above is rather a complete swipe of your own phrasing. Think of it as a very sincere form of theft. Or is that flattery? Regardless...)

(Also the astute reader of this will note that I've admitted to not having Turjan's Tome yet, and might be wondering how I'm qualified to comment upon the handling of Klarkash-Ton. I'll only remind those pedantic individuals that the chapter that the recommendation takes place in is available as a free download on the official Dying Earth website.)

But I digress away from specifics about Mr. Smith and his writings. As you've pointed out, his influence is still very strong -- fans of China Mieville in particular would do themselves a favor to check out Smith's Zothique tales -- and I have to take rather severe exception with however writing in Turjan's Tome describes Clark Ashton's as "readable". Such a description is akin to suggesting that John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme" is merely "listenable". Smith's writing is a wonder and should be regarded as such.

But enough carping on that. I'll just third the suggestion that folks looking for additional inspiration for their Turjan-level games would do well to find copies of Clark Ashton's 'Zothique' stories. (My personal suggestion is to search out and fork over the money for the absolutely gorgeous and absolutely out-of-pring Ballantine Adult Fantasy paperback from the 70s, but then I'm likely pressing my obsessions upon others in that case. Those people either unwilling or unable to find an actual physical book of Clark Ashton's writings should look at: http://www.eldritchdark.com/)


Quartus: Those looking for additional inspiration for their Cugel- (and perhaps Rhialto-) level games would do well to follow up on another of Mr. Hudson's mentions and check out Jeff Vandmeer's "City of Saints & Madmen" book that collects his various writings on his imaginary city of Ambergris. I fully plan to somehow incorporate the rantings of a squid-obsessed madman in my Dying Earth game, at least!


Once again, very nice review. Glad to see it up finally.