Out of Space And Time (Bison Frontiers of Imagination Series) (original 1942; edition 2006)

This was the first large volume of Clark Ashton Smith's stories of strange fantasy and science fiction published. Smith chose the stories himself for the original 1942 version, and it contains some his best work, including "The Dark Eidolon," "The Vaults of Yoh-Vombis," and "The Return of the Sorcerer." A good starting place for people who have never experienced the amazing word-poetry of Clark Ashton Smith.

Full review: http://realmofryan.blogspot.com/2010/05/book-review-out-of-space-and-time.html ( )

A very creepy book of stories filled with vampires, hidden planes of existence, secret arcane and occult ceremonies and eerie fantasy. Who could possibly want more? There are 10 stories in this book, divided into 2 categories: out of space and time (stories of spatial and temporal dislocation) and judgments and dooms (stories where evil catches up to those who shouldn't have meddled where they did). Each and every one of these stories was effectively creepy and there was definitely never a moment where I wanted to skim because I got so caught up in the details.

Of the 10 stories, I enjoyed Smith's Averoigne stories (The End of the Story; A Rendezvous in Averoigne)and one entitled The City of the Singing Flame the best. The stories are all a masterful mix of fantasy and horror, but the type of horror that you won't find on your grocery store's shelf. This is totally horror at its best, up there with the work of HP Lovecraft. In fact, HPL vastly admired Clark Ashton Smith, which is how I came to be reading these stories.

Would I recommend it? Most definitely, but to people who want their horror on an intellectual plane. ( )