The Fantasy Books

1978: Our Lady Of Darkness

by Leiber, Fritz

Description

Our Lady of Darkness tells the story of Franz, a recovering alcoholic and accomplished horror writer in San Francisco. Franz discovers an old journal of weird metaphysical writings and his life takes a bizarre turn. While gazing out his apartment window, he spies a strangely robed figure dancing on Corona Heights. This catches his interest, and he resolves to take a hike out there to discover more. When he gets there, he takes out his binoculars and enjoys the view, but when he looks at his apartment building, he sees the same strangely robed figure waving back at him from his window. Why it's on the list An excellent example of urban horror fantasy, Fritz Leiber was one of the great fantasy writers of the 50-70s. The book is so well-written, and the characters (especially Westen) are so compelling that it is sure to keep you in its spell right to the end. The enticing, slow pace of this story sucks you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the final culmination of the tale. Fritz Leiber was brilliant at using disparate objects to create strange and meaningful synchronicities. Without a doubt, he is one of the greatest writers of all time. Read if you like Urban Horror, Fantasy in modern settings.

About the Author

Leiber, Fritz

Fritz Leiber was an American author of fantasy, horror, and science fiction. He was born on December 24, 1910, in Chicago, Illinois, and died on September 5, 1992. Leiber is best known for his series of novels and stories featuring Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, two wandering swordsmen and thieves who live in the fictional world of Nehwon.Leiber began his writing career in the 1930s and became one of the leading figures of the science fiction and fantasy genres in the 1940s and 1950s. He won numerous awards throughout his career, including multiple Hugo and Nebula Awards. In addition to his Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser stories, Leiber wrote many other novels, short stories, and novellas, including "Conjure Wife", "Our Lady of Darkness", and "The Big Time".Leiber's writing is known for its wit, humor, and literary style, as well as its influence on later writers in the fantasy and horror genres. He was also a mentor to many younger writers, including Neil Gaiman, who has cited Leiber as one of his primary influences. Overall, Fritz Leiber's work continues to be beloved by readers and writers alike, and he is considered one of the greats of the speculative fiction genre.

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