The award-winning author of 'The Diabolist's Library' trilogy on her route to writing, taming research and penning the official resurrection of Jirel of Joiry, the first lady of sword and sorcery
I was switched onto Jirel by the current Fantasy exhibiton at the British Library, but when I read up about Black God’s Kiss it sounded like something I could possibly do without reading. This completely changes my mind. I think I'll start with Hellsgarde and work backwards.
Cheers, Luke! I almost went to that exhibition myself. Wanted to see the Brian Froud talk but couldn't go in the end. :P Regarding Black God's Kiss, I share a similar read to Molly on that. I think the story's perhaps been subject to over-reading in many regards. I think Moore intended that stolen kiss to be just a kiss. Pulp magazines in the 1930s absolutely did not shy away from explicit and prolonged sexual violence, so the argument that Moore was trying to code something more here doesn't quite make sense to me. But I completely respect other people's readings there. The great thing about stories is the diversity of readings we take from them! But anyway, Hellsgarde is a blast! My favourite Jirel tale by far.
You're dead right about old pulp stuff being keen on the sexual violence sadly: it's always a trick to unpick the really good aspects of a story from the rather horrible ones and if its worth doing so or avoiding it altogether. I'm keen to have a shot at Hellsgarde after these recommendations!
The Fantasy Exhibition is worth a visit if possible, although its a bit slight (I went before a gig). Would have been way better if you can tie it into a talk. Brian Froud would have been fantastic!
I first heard of Cockaigne as the name of an island in international waters that has a casino run by an ex-Nazi in the Richard Stark novel The Handle.
Good interview!
Really good interview this, thank you!
I was switched onto Jirel by the current Fantasy exhibiton at the British Library, but when I read up about Black God’s Kiss it sounded like something I could possibly do without reading. This completely changes my mind. I think I'll start with Hellsgarde and work backwards.
Cheers, Luke! I almost went to that exhibition myself. Wanted to see the Brian Froud talk but couldn't go in the end. :P Regarding Black God's Kiss, I share a similar read to Molly on that. I think the story's perhaps been subject to over-reading in many regards. I think Moore intended that stolen kiss to be just a kiss. Pulp magazines in the 1930s absolutely did not shy away from explicit and prolonged sexual violence, so the argument that Moore was trying to code something more here doesn't quite make sense to me. But I completely respect other people's readings there. The great thing about stories is the diversity of readings we take from them! But anyway, Hellsgarde is a blast! My favourite Jirel tale by far.
You're dead right about old pulp stuff being keen on the sexual violence sadly: it's always a trick to unpick the really good aspects of a story from the rather horrible ones and if its worth doing so or avoiding it altogether. I'm keen to have a shot at Hellsgarde after these recommendations!
The Fantasy Exhibition is worth a visit if possible, although its a bit slight (I went before a gig). Would have been way better if you can tie it into a talk. Brian Froud would have been fantastic!
I have a CL Moore collection around here somewhere. I think it only has one Jirel story in it. Will have to look for the others.
And Cockaigne always reminds me of the hobo stories (and songs) about The Big Rock Candy Mountain. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6F0IhdaaWI