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The Black Diamonds Paperback – January 1, 2002

by Clark Ashton Smith (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 9 ratings
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At the age of fourteen, Clark Ashton Smith wrote an Arabian Nights adventure novel called The Black Diamonds. At nearly 90,000 words, it is the longest work of fiction he would ever write in his long career. The thrilling and fast-paced story of seventeenth-century Bagdad deals with two mysterious black diamonds and the conflict they engender between an Arab family and the powerful thief who seeks to regain them. Kidnapping, piracy, and even a possibly supernatural “Lake of Fire” are all involved in this vibrant and well-crafted narrative. Although a work of Smith’s youth, The Black Diamonds can withstand comparison with any of his later tales of Zothique, Hyperborea, and Atlantis for compelling readability. This never-before published novel has been meticulously edited by leading fantasy scholar S. T. Joshi.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    150 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Hippocampus Pr
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 2002
  5. Dimensions
    5.25 x 0.5 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0967321522
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0967321523
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Clark Ashton Smith was born on January 13th, 1893, and began writing fiction and poetry in his early teens. His first publication came in 1910, at the age of seventeen, when the Overland Monthly published two of his adventure tales set in the Orient. One of the "Lovecraft circle" and a regular contributor to Weird Tales in the 1930s, he is highly regarded today for his works of exotic fantasy. Smith died in his sleep on August 14, 1961.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hippocampus Pr; First Edition (January 1, 2002)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 150 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0967321522
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0967321523
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.5 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 9 ratings

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
9 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Eileen F
4.0 out of 5 stars an exciting swashbuckler
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2005
Considering that Smith was 14 when he wrote this, it is amazingly good. Although it doesn't have the atmosphere or otherworldly quality of his later work, it is full of vivid action and very well plotted. I found it hard to put down.
4 people found this helpful
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alan reid
5.0 out of 5 stars literary artifact
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2015
Verified Purchase
The only novel ever written by CAS, when he was 13. Placed within its genre of novels written by under 15 year old people, it is very good. Complicated storyline, back flashbacks for back stories of the many characters. This is a straight on orientalist or Arab fantasy, little or none of the mysticism that permeated his great short stories on his adult years.
4 people found this helpful
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Russ M.
5.0 out of 5 stars A great introduction to Smith's writings
Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2014
Can you believe Smith wote hid first story,and his only novel at 14?Black Diamonds is a great introduction to the inner Smith and a presage of his other writings.Smith's stories are unjustifiably neglected by lackadaisical and lazy publishers,but thanks to Hippocampus Press and Chaosium,Smith is at least getting some of his writings published so new generations will discover this nearly forgotten and wonderful story teller again.
Hopefully,this book will encourage people to seek out more of his stories----this man needs to be rediscovered.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
川流桃桜
5.0 out of 5 stars 14歳の天才が描いた『千一夜物語』
Reviewed in Japan on December 9, 2003
Verified Purchase
マルチタレントな芸術家C.A.スミスが若干14歳の時に書いた作品で、長らくブラウン大学のジョージ・ヘイ図書館に所蔵されていた。彼の書いたものの中では最も長い作品でもあるが、一般に刊行されるのは何とこれが始めて。テキストには若干の欠落や混乱が見られるが、読み進めるのに全く支障はない。
　内容は明らかに『千一夜物語』を意識して作られたものなのだが、舞台は16世紀半ばのバグダッドなので、かなり遠方の外国の名前が出て来たり、銃撃戦があったりする。「拝火団」と呼ばれる邪教集団についての描写の他には特にこれと云って超自然的要素を描いた箇所はなく、「黒の金剛石」を巡って繰り広げられる争奪戦がメインの冒険活劇である。文体には後年の作品の様な手の込んだ美しさは見られず、また文法的にやや稚拙なところも見受けられるが、全体的にシンプルで展開が早く、とても14歳の少年が書いたものとは思えない出来。スミスの作品は時にやや晦渋と取られることもあるが、本作品はそんなことはなく、最後までペースを崩さず楽しく一気に読むことが出来る。
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