Worlds Beyond Worlds: The Short Fiction of John R. Fultz
Published by DMR Books (2021)
880 words
Published by DMR Books (2021)
880 words
Worlds Beyond Worlds is a collection of eleven previously released short stories by John R. Fultz published by DMR books in 2021. DMR selected these stories from amongst Fultz's published works of the 2010s. Though the stories generally fall into the sword and sorcery genre, at its core the anthology is unadulterated fantasy as before it splintered out into separate niche fields. Fultz springs from the same well as Lord Dunsany and J.R.R. Tolkien.
The greatest fantasist of all time is Lord Dunsany, though his heir apparent, J.R.R. Tolkien, is certainly the most influential. Dunsany had an ability to write prose that sounded more like poetry, and the ability to say so much with so little. This lyrical brevity is what Tolkien lacked, though he had the same poetic gift for language. Dunsany has inspired many people (e.g. H.P. Lovecraft), but due to changes in the English language in the following centuries--and due to the fact that Dunsany had a singular gift with language--many of these imitations fall flat. These imitators often sound stilted and have caused purple prose to be derided by many contemporary genre fiction fans.
Enter John R. Fultz!
Above all, I want to talk about the story "Chivaine." Note that Brian LeBlanc's stellar artwork on the cover is inspired by this story. This unreal, psychedelic tapestry alone is worth the asking price. Fortunately, the tale told is just as good. The prose in "Chivaine" is more poetic and musical than prose has a right being. If you had told me this story was written a century or more ago, I would have believed you. The imagery is dreamlike, otherworldly, and truly evocative of the limitless nature of imagination. The tale itself is the quintessential heroic fantasy, the distilled essence of the genre. It is sublime, and deeply masculine (in a spiritual sense of the word). The titular character is a kind of romantic archetype; although one can never be that archetype, that archetype casts a nourishing shadow that we can walk in, and thereby become better men. There is an primordial quality to this tale. It captures the essence of the stories that our forbearers would likely have sung around the camp fire to engender the kinds of virtues needed to survive in a brutal, primal, and unfair world.
Our needs for strength, heroism, communitarian sacrifice, love, parenthood, and an awe and fear of the unknowable nature of the world are all touched upon. I would not claim that women--or non-binary and gender-diverse people--cannot take something powerful away from this story. With that said, this spoke to me as a man in a way that is hard to put to words. The first time I read this story, my joy in reading entertaining fantasy became mixed with something I am not embarrassed to call a quasi-spiritual experience.
Contemporary fiction has an obsession with flawed characters, which is something I do not enjoy. There is something to be said for unreal, romantic archetypes. I think "Chivaine" says it better than I ever could. He is the primordial hero. There are no perfect people who are strong, evince moral expertise, humility, and a selfless and sacrificial nature. But we still can imagine them. And in that imagining, we can find power and meaning.
"Yael of the Strings" is the next tale I will touch on. It, again, has this brilliant use of poetic language. The story follows an unlikely hero, and even has a moral at the end that is told in away that is not overbearing. Plus, how can warriors riding giant battle spiders not thrill you?
"The Thirteen Texts of Arthyria" is a really note worthy story as well. It juxtaposes Fultz's ability to command dreamlike environs against perhaps the most mundane story of all: a modern day divorce. For me, I read fantasy as a means of escape, so I am often put off by more banal elements, but even with my preferences, I could not help but appreciate the brilliance of this mash-up.
Lastly, I'll note "Where the White Lotus Grows." I do this for two reason: its setting is different than a lot of genre fiction; second, in an interview on the Rogues in the House podcast, the author mentioned having a soft spot for this story. Listen to that interview here: Rogues in the House: John R. Fultz. This takes much of the feel of sword and sorcery and applies it to the world of martial arts. It creates an enjoyment that is both refreshingly new but comfortingly familiar. I am a big fan of the "Shenmue" video game series, and if you are familiar with those games, I think you will enjoy this tale.
I should point out not all the stories are purple in their prose, highlighting Fultz's diverse ability as a writer. The stories written that way were just the ones that struck me the most. Really, my only complaint with this book is that it opens with "Chivaine." That set an impossibly high standard for any subsequent story to follow.
This is a must own collection for fans of fantasy.
About the Reviewer: J. Thomas Howard is an aspiring fantasist from the receding woodlands of Southeastern Pennsylvania. You can follow his works at his blog; https://jthowardpulp.wordpress.com. He also occasionally tweets at @J_skald.
About Spiral Tower Reviews: The authors who maintain the pulp genres of sword and sorcery and cosmic horror merit support. Financial support is key but there are other ways the cash-strapped can show support: engaged reading and thoughtful analysis. Literary movements emerge through the interactions of editors, authors, publishers, and amateur literary journalists. Learn more about contributing your review here. Note: We are specifically interested in working with amateur reviewers.
