Page:Famous Fantastic Mysteries (1951-03).djvu/110



Dear Editor:

Ah, at last! "The Woman Who Couldn't Die" is even better at this third reading than when I read it first a few years ago. It is too bad that Mr. Stringer wrote no more fantasies, as he certainly shows a remarkable flair for unusual people, places and events in this novel. That "Preface in Hordoland" sets the predominant mood of the novel, which carries through to a tremendous climax.

"The Weigher of Souls," even more than "The War with the Moon" or "The Thought-Reading Machine," proves André Maurois' adeptness at fantasy. At first I thought that "The Weigher of Souls" would he merely another story of a sadly frequent type, like Stilson's "Liberty or Death?" which you republished in F.N.; however, as the story progressed, it took on a quality of delicate weirdness (that's the only expression 1 can think of to express the idea) that had a strange effect on me. I'm glad that Maurois ended the story on a note of appropriate tragedy to complement the general mood of the narrative.

Peter Cartur's short-short was one of those minor gems that one finds every once in a while— a complete and coherent plot expressed simply, yet with sufficient impact to make its impression a more than fleeting one. The derivation of the title is a bit obscure, but it fits the idea of the story perfectly. "Not sun by day, nor moon by night."

De Soto, yet? Where are Dodge, Plymouth and Chrysler? The fiery claw in the corner of the cover is very good— no facetiousness intended— but the rest of the painting is not only inaccurate but poorly done. Where, oh where, is Lawrence? It's about time for another masterpiece like the covers for "Ship of Ishtar," "Valley of Silent Men" or "Morning Star." We fen have almost ceased to hope for a Finlay cover to equal the ones for "The Star Rover" and "Devil's Spoon." Why not surprise us?

The poetry section is back, praise Allah! Keep it now that you've got it, please? You could alternate between original verse and reprints. Such great poems as R. E. Howard's "The Dream and the Shadow," "The Ghost Kings" and "The Singer in the Mist" do not deserve to be neglected as they almost of necessity have been by the newer fans. "In Planders' Wood' is one of the best poems you have printed so far.

Aha, I am reminded: Del Close of Manhattan, Kansas, and I are putting out a small poetry fanzine called Cataclysm, and we could use contributions and subscriptions (@ 50c for 6 issues).

"Brood of the Witch-Queen" for next issue, I see. Wonderful! That has long been my favorite of Rohmer's books, and seeing it again will be a pleasure. Arthur S. Ward (Sax Rohmer) has a phenomenal knowledge of the Mysterious East and its ways— and he has written a reference book on sorcery, so the basis of this novel is founded on actual fact and accepted myth. The myth part being the sorcery; one would fervently hope that such things as the Orchid of Death and the Fire Elemental could not actually be!

I have a few items for sale or trade. Will send lists if you send stamped envelope.

2em 561 W. Western Ave., Muskegon, Mich.

I am taking this means of congratulating the editor and Famous Fantastic Mysteries upon having secured printing rights for "The Weigher of Souls" by André Maurois.

Fantasy is a very specialized field in creative writing and 1 am sure that even the most avid Merritt, Haggard, or Lovecraft fan will admit that the works of those fantasy giants are not known in many literary circles. This is not the case with Maurois. His "Ariel," a fictional biography of the life of Shelley, has been widely read and acclaimed and his "Man's Fate" is considered one of the classics of modern literature. He is at present the top writer for Charles De Gaulle's French political front. His works are required reading in many college English courses. It is obvious that this man Maurois is no fly-by-night author who will slip into oblivion