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Clark Ashton Smith: The Charnel God

In “The Charnel God,” Clark Ashton Smith transports us to the sinister city of Zul-Bha-Sair, where the god Mordiggian rules over the dead. Phariom, a desperate young man, struggles to save his wife Elaith, who, mistakenly thought to be dead, has been claimed by the priests of this dark god. In an attempt to rescue her, Phariom enters the dark temple of Mordiggian, where he discovers a world of necromantic horrors and supernatural creatures. It is a story full of gothic atmosphere and a deep sense of cosmic terror, which immerses us in a universe where death and black magic are law.

Clark Ashton Smith: The Master of the Crabs

“The Master of the Crabs” is a short story by Clark Ashton Smith published in Weird Tales in 1948. On the shadowy shores of Zothique, an apprentice is swept away by his master, the sorcerer Mior Lumivix, in a desperate race against the dreaded Sarcand. Their goal: a treasure hidden on the mysterious island of Iribos. As they sail west, they face storms, bewitched calm, and the horrors that lurk in the depths. On the island, betrayal, ancient magic, and sea creatures become the protagonists of a struggle for power and survival.

Clark Ashton Smith’s Stories

Explore the best stories by Clark Ashton Smith, master of cosmic horror and dark fantasy. Discover tales of exotic worlds, ancient magic and unspeakable terrors, such as The Return of the Sorcerer and The Nameless Offspring. Read his complete stories and enter his unique universe.

Jack London: To Build a Fire (Early Version)

To Build a Fire is a short story by Jack London, published in May 1902 in The Youth’s Companion. It tells the story of Tom Vincent’s solitary journey through the frozen landscape of the Yukon in the middle of winter. Confident in his strength and experience, the protagonist ignores the warnings about the dangers of traveling alone. However, the extreme cold soon reveals itself as a ruthless enemy, and what seems like a routine journey becomes a desperate struggle for survival. This is the story’s first version, which London would rewrite and publish under the same title in 1908.

Ernest Hemingway: The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber

Ernest Hemingway : L’heure triomphale de Francis Macomber

The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber, a short story by Ernest Hemingway published in 1936, narrates the relationship between a married couple and their guide during a safari in Africa. After an incident with a lion, the interaction between the characters becomes tense, as one of them does not react as expected during the hunt, which tests their emotions and the perception that others have of him. It is an intense story full of twists and turns and one of the most famous by the American writer.

Ted Chiang: The Merchant and the Alchemist’s Gate. Summary and analysis

“The Merchant and the Alchemist’s Gate” by Ted Chiang is a short story published in 2007 that combines fantasy with a philosophical exploration of time and destiny. Set in medieval Baghdad, it follows Fuwaad ibn Abbas, a merchant who discovers the shop of an alchemist named Bashaarat, who has created a gate capable of taking people twenty years into the past or future. Through intertwined stories, the story raises questions about free will, the inevitability of destiny, and the true meaning of repentance and redemption.