The Fantasy Fan, January 1934: The Fans' Own Magazine — John Shaqi
The Fantasy Fan, January 1934: The Fans' Own MagazineVarious
History
The Fantasy Fan, January 1934: The Fans' Own Magazine
Various
Fan magazines; Fantasy fiction -- History and criticism -- Periodicals; Fantasy fiction -- Periodicals
We thank Mr. Binder, an author of note, for his excellent story. It
will appear in an early issue of TFF. The theme used is a brand new
one, and we believe will make a big hit with all lovers of weird
fiction.
"The November issue was a gem all the way through, and I am certainly
learning a lot of facts about fantastic fiction that are quite new to
me. It answers numerous questions that I have had in mind for a long
time. I think the comments by the readers constitute a most absorbing
part of your magazine, especially when they are by contributors and
old fans that know the 'ropes' well. Understand that I am a
comparative beginner in the absorbing game of chasing fantastic
literature. It is quite noticeable that the trend is turning even more
toward the fantastic than the pure science fiction, which, it would
seen, has been on the wane for some time. I am not a science fiction
crank, however, and have several good tales in my collection. They are
not interplanetary, though, but ones approaching closer to the
fantastic.
"The poem by Clark Ashton Smith was enormous; yet, more than that. I
do not think one could describe it. 'The Other Gods' by H. P.
Lovecraft added just the right atmosphere to TFF. The mention of
Ulthar in this story recalled a story by the same author named 'The
Cats of Ulthar.'
"As Mr. Ackerman's collection continues to pile up, it seems that in
spite of mania to judge literature, he certainly does a thing up right
when he starts.
"The discovery that the now famous book 'Necronomicon' is entirely
fictitious was a considerable shock. Too bad that such a volume is not
available to all lovers of fiction pertaining to the black arts and
kindred subjects. I had even thought seriously of sending to the State
College Library in quest of a copy in English! I wondered at the time
if it had yet been translated. Why not have Lovecraft write such a
book? I am sure it would sell well. I enjoy reading the denouncement
of Mr. Ackerman."--Duane W. Rime
As Dr. Keller says, it doesn't matter whether a reader praises Forrest
or condemns him, so long as they say _something_. We, also, were on
the verge of sending someplace for the _Necronomicon_ in English.
"Lovecraft's 'The Other Gods' and 'Supernatural Horror in Literature'
are a treat for which I am sure every reader is grateful. 'True Ghost
Stories' is very well presented and Barlow's 'Annals of the Jinns'
very capably upholds fantastic lore. Smith's 'The Kingdom of the Worm'
recalled to my mind Donald Wandrei's 'The Worm King', a poem which
I read in _Weird Tales_ years ago. While different in essence of
tone, these two carry the same eery quality. Although your various
departments have not yet swung into full stride, great promise is
indicated.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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