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Dwellers in the Mirage
Angry Warrior, Modern Man. . .
Leif Langdon was suddenly ripped from the 20th century and plunged into the ancient world of The Mirage. But his entrance into this awesome land awakened the slumbering Dwayanu, who in this strange incarnation was also Leif. Thus, two-men-in-one battle with the beautiful witch-woman Lur and the ethereal beauty Evalie for the glory of The Mirage.
Leif Langdon was suddenly ripped from the 20th century and plunged into the ancient world of The Mirage. But his entrance into this awesome land awakened the slumbering Dwayanu, who in this strange incarnation was also Leif. Thus, two-men-in-one battle with the beautiful witch-woman Lur and the ethereal beauty Evalie for the glory of The Mirage.
222 pages, Paperback
First published January 23, 1932
About the author
A. Merritt
230 books114 followersAbraham Grace Merritt, wrote under the name of A. Merritt, born in New Jersey moved as a child to Philadelphia, Pa. in 1894, began studying law and than switched to journalism. Later a very popular writer starting in 1919 of the teens, twenties and thirties, horror and fantasy genres. King of the purple prose, most famous The Moon Pool, a south seas lost island civilization, hidden underground and The Ship of Ishtar, an Arabian Nights type fable, and six other novels and short stories collections (he had written at first, just for fun). Nobody could do that variety better, sold millions of books in his career. The bright man, became editor of the most successful magazine during the Depression, The American Weekly , with a fabulous $100,000 in salary. A great traveler, in search of unusual items he collected. His private library of 5,000 volumes had many of the occult macabre kind. Yet this talented author is now largely been forgotten.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
February 28, 2024
Leif Langdonnban American explorer and his blood brother Jim Eagles (a Cherokee Indian) are in Alaska, ostensibly hunting for gold but really, for friendship.Both former college buddies, served together in the first world war and they want to renew that closeness.During the night in the middle of nowhere while sleeping in their camp noises come from the dark beyond.The two quickly awake with weird voices in the air, women and men singing, chanting as continuous drum beats shatter the calm, an anvil being struck... These sounds are heard... What do they do? Put out the fire and go back to sleep (I'd vamoose). At daybreak, Leif wants to go north and find what caused the commotion last evening, Jim says "bad medicine" however unwisely he acquiesces, you'd think Leif a mining engineer by profession his bad experiences in Mongolia, seen enough troubles there to cure his wanderlust spirit. In Asia with the Uighurs he barely escaped with his life, now craves more adventures, some people are rather obtuse. Traveling over the frozen tundra even during the summer in an unknown area the friends find a valley they think, is it though, or just a mirage. Going foolishly down they see a green mist which hides the underneath, the cold increases as they descend and seeing a "rippling lake" promptly vanishing, sinking into the mire like a soup. Our too bold explorers after adjusting to the atmosphere if possible discover little people and the drums, topless warrior women, amazons, witches, high priests and huge vicious wolves. Not to mention a witch woman's exotic lake, an evil god that demands human sacrifices; young pretty girls of course. Strangest of all the inhabitants start calling Leif, Dwayanu, their ancient king and priest to Khalk'ru, the local bloody God, yet Leif begins to think he is Dwayanu and fights in the civil war between two beautiful women opponents. Lur the witch of the amazons and Evalie leader of the little people, the hero naturally romancing both between the butchering and gore. Love and hate follow ... this can't be, nevertheless it's still good clean fun...mostly. The writer gives an example of his stellar ability ...a virtuoso performance well orchestrated and never matched...the indisputable king of the purple prose. His star will continue to shine in the dark lonesome night.
August 11, 2023
Leif and his friend, the native American Jim, go exploring, looking for gold in Alaska. But they’re really just trying to bond together. As they were best friends in college and served together in the First World War. When they hear drums and singing, Leif wants to explore it. He’s drawn to it like a siren’s song. Because he knows what it means. Khalk’ru the destroyer is calling him. And now it’s his turn to answer.
The world building is vast and rich, very detailed. This is already apparent at the start of the book as the protagonist tells both us readers and his best friend of the adventures he had during his travels in Mongolia. Of the Kraken symbols he found there. Of the priest that called him Dwayanu, the lost king. Of the weird and sinister ritual he was dragged into. And the message of the priest he departed with: “he whose call Khalk’ru has answered, must answer when Khalk’ru calls him.”
I reread my personal favourite amongst Merritt’s works - The Face in the Abyss – not that long ago, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was still as good as I remembered. So my expectations were pretty high when I decided to reread this one. Unfortunately, I don’t seem to like this story as much as I did reading it the first time around. It also doesn’t feel like it has aged all that well. Though there are still some scenes in here that are still as awesome as I remember them, that showcase some of Merritt’s greatest strengths as a writer.
It’s also nice to know how authors of the pulp fiction era inspired each other. Merritt’s book The Moon Pool served as one of H.P. Lovecraft’s sources of inspiration for one of his most famous stories - The Call of Cthulhu. And H.P. Lovecraft’s The Call of Cthulhu then served as a source of inspiration for this book by A. Merritt. And you really don’t have to take too close a look at the story to notice the Lovecraftian influences, in a positive way.
Overall, a fast-paced and adventurous pulp fiction read. Not Merritt’s best, but still a pretty cool and strong story.
The world building is vast and rich, very detailed. This is already apparent at the start of the book as the protagonist tells both us readers and his best friend of the adventures he had during his travels in Mongolia. Of the Kraken symbols he found there. Of the priest that called him Dwayanu, the lost king. Of the weird and sinister ritual he was dragged into. And the message of the priest he departed with: “he whose call Khalk’ru has answered, must answer when Khalk’ru calls him.”
I reread my personal favourite amongst Merritt’s works - The Face in the Abyss – not that long ago, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was still as good as I remembered. So my expectations were pretty high when I decided to reread this one. Unfortunately, I don’t seem to like this story as much as I did reading it the first time around. It also doesn’t feel like it has aged all that well. Though there are still some scenes in here that are still as awesome as I remember them, that showcase some of Merritt’s greatest strengths as a writer.
It’s also nice to know how authors of the pulp fiction era inspired each other. Merritt’s book The Moon Pool served as one of H.P. Lovecraft’s sources of inspiration for one of his most famous stories - The Call of Cthulhu. And H.P. Lovecraft’s The Call of Cthulhu then served as a source of inspiration for this book by A. Merritt. And you really don’t have to take too close a look at the story to notice the Lovecraftian influences, in a positive way.
Overall, a fast-paced and adventurous pulp fiction read. Not Merritt’s best, but still a pretty cool and strong story.
January 28, 2022
Merritt's classic lost world fantasy adventure was no doubt influential on many a golden age SFF author, however there were more than a few stretches where it became a bit of a slog for this modern reader due to uneven pacing, inane dialog that has not aged well, and a well conceived yet poorly executed concept that sees the protagonist, Leif Langdon, partially "possessed" by the soul of an ancient and ruthless warrior king who has been prophesied to return. The latter was, or soon became, a popular trope involving racial memory or reincarnation of one sort or another whereby an average Joe might find that he was a legendary hero from an ancient time. However, as a twist, and means for injecting suspense, the two personalities within Leif are in conflict, each taking up different allegiances. Leif's thoughts are perpetually torn in separate directions as each part of him struggles for dominance, attempting to subsume the other, making the narrative perplexing at times.
On the plus side there's the evocative imagery detailing the hidden world and it's many strange wonders and inhabitants, as well as a touch of cosmic horror in the form of an eldritch god of chaos/evil known as the "Kraken" whose worshipers have survived the millennia hidden away from the surface world. I would have liked to see more of the latter, but Merritt was more intent on making this a romantic adventure and gives scant details on what could have been a more compelling aspect.
On the plus side there's the evocative imagery detailing the hidden world and it's many strange wonders and inhabitants, as well as a touch of cosmic horror in the form of an eldritch god of chaos/evil known as the "Kraken" whose worshipers have survived the millennia hidden away from the surface world. I would have liked to see more of the latter, but Merritt was more intent on making this a romantic adventure and gives scant details on what could have been a more compelling aspect.
September 7, 2008
Dwellers in the Mirage is my second Merritt novel, and it won't be my last, because I'm getting hooked on this guy. Written in 1932, you will no doubt, as you read it, detect the times -- and the pulps that came with them. But Merritt writes considerably better than most pulp writers, then and now. What elevates Merritt is his descriptive writing. Purple, yeah, but with swashbuckling fantasy, that's what I want. Lost civilizations, beautiful (and barely clad) women, a tough hero, strange creatures, black magic mumbo-jumbo, all seem to be a part of Merritt’s fantasy landscape, but take care, since nothing is predictable as far as fanatasy story-telling goes. If you like Indiana Jones, you should like Merritt. Dwellers has all of the above, and then some: golden pygmies, a kraken straight from the Cthulhu Mythos (who devours young pregnant women), an Amazonian witch warrior, a Viking-like bad guy, a secret valley high in the mountains of Alaska, and a divided hero who resembles a modern day Thor – with a Cherokee buddy named Jim. Jeez, you can’t make this stuff up. But to Merritt’s credit, he did.
October 14, 2022
3½ stars
December 24, 2014
Another story I read back in the early 70s (okay since it was written back in the hay (hey)day of the pulps). In the last few years Merrit has taken a beating but this is an enjoyable read. It's pulp....read it for fun and for what it is.
That was the original review ^. It was short and to the point, LOL.
The story is another where a modern man stumbles onto a strange hidden world or land (in this case a warm valley in Alaska) and becomes involved in a fantasy adventure. In this case he (Leif Langdon) is mistaken for the reincarnation of an ancient hero...who's spirit takes him over. He's faced with an enemy who likes to call up and "release the Kraken" (okay I put in the "release" part) so they can feed human sacrifices to it.
Good old pulp action, fantasy adventure. This novel is listed by Michael Moorcock and James Cawthorn in their list of the 100 best fantasy novels. Enjoy.
That was the original review ^. It was short and to the point, LOL.
The story is another where a modern man stumbles onto a strange hidden world or land (in this case a warm valley in Alaska) and becomes involved in a fantasy adventure. In this case he (Leif Langdon) is mistaken for the reincarnation of an ancient hero...who's spirit takes him over. He's faced with an enemy who likes to call up and "release the Kraken" (okay I put in the "release" part) so they can feed human sacrifices to it.
Good old pulp action, fantasy adventure. This novel is listed by Michael Moorcock and James Cawthorn in their list of the 100 best fantasy novels. Enjoy.
January 3, 2024
This is a difficult book to rate. The first half of the book delves way too much on the explanation of past lives and racial memory stuff. That sort of thing was fairly common in pulp reading, and I feel Merritt spent far too many chapters on the build up and needless conversation between Leif and Jim on the subject.
That being said, the second half of the book was a wonderfully written fantasy story rarely rivaled. This 1930s story is a must for lovers of fantasy that inspired legions of authors thereafter. This version has both the author’s original ending and the happier ending forced by the publisher. Both endings are good. Highly recommend!
That being said, the second half of the book was a wonderfully written fantasy story rarely rivaled. This 1930s story is a must for lovers of fantasy that inspired legions of authors thereafter. This version has both the author’s original ending and the happier ending forced by the publisher. Both endings are good. Highly recommend!
June 1, 2024
Good old-fashioned pulp from the 30s...American exploring northern Alaska discovers a "lost valley" hidden by a mirage, complete with warring tribes and a cult that worships a Cthullu-type critter...
August 19, 2011
After taking a brief respite--in the hardboiled yet outre crime thriller "Seven Footprints to Satan"--from the tales of adventurous fantasy at which he so excelled, Abraham Merritt returned in fine form with "Dwellers in the Mirage" (1932). In this terrific novel, Merritt revisits many of the themes and uses many of the ingredients that made his first novel, "The Moon Pool," such an impressive success. Like that early work, "Dwellers" features a lost civilization (of the type grandfathered by the great H. Rider Haggard), battling priestesses, civil wars, and otherdimensional creatures (in the earlier book, a light creature; in "Dwellers," an octopuslike nasty named Khalk'ru that dissolves whatever life-form it touches). In this marvelous fantasy, we meet Leif Langdon, who is hiking through the foothills of the Endicott Mountains in northern Alaska with his Native American buddy. Years before, Leif had witnessed an arcane religious ritual in Mongolia, and been told by the Uighur tribesmen there that he was a descendant of Dwayanu, an ancient Mongolian king. Leif and his buddy discover a hidden valley covered by a freak Alaskan mirage, and meet the golden-skinned pygmy peoples and the Mongolian descendants that reside therein. Before long, in an instance of extreme atavism, Dwayanu takes over Leif's mind and personality, and aids him in his upcoming trials. Leif must eventually encounter a civil war between the valley's inhabitants; the storming of the fugitive city of Sirk; the charms of a witch woman with the most appropriate name of Lur; giant leeches; AND the aforementioned Khalk'ru. The book is just brimming with marvelous imagination and endless wonder, and the reader will never guess what outrageous incidents will pop up next. Merritt was truly at the top of his form with "Dwellers," and threw in great detail to keep the whole conceit afloat. There are amusing side characters, interesting species of flora and fauna, some historical and metaphysical speculations, and bits of unusual anthropology. The tale proceeds with great drive and purpose, and concludes most satisfactorily, indeed. "Dwellers in the Mirage" has been included in Cawthorn & Moorcock's excellent overview volume "Fantasy: The 100 Best Books," and I can well understand why. It is a tale that Haggard himself may well have enjoyed, and if you knew me, you'd know that this is high praise, indeed! Seek this book out, by all means; it's a winner!
June 19, 2022
It took me a bit to get into this story but once I did I was hooked. All in all it is a very decent adventure story. And parts of it kind of reminded me of Conan the Barbarian (more specific Conan the Destroyer as that had a creature in it) which I suppose makes sense as they are both old classic stories. Don't get me wrong - the hero is a modern man and no muscle bound warrior - but there are swords and sorcery too. Plus there is a hero (although he is far from perfect) and a girl to be saved. Plus an awful beast god called Khalk'ru. Yes, Khalk'ru is that ugly kraken like beast on the cover!
What did I like about this tale? For one I really enjoyed exploring this hidden unknown land: a deep, deep valley in Alaska somewhere but you are actually breathing carbon dioxide somehow and its actually HOT down there! Plus like any good fantasy it is filled with strange tribes of exotic people. And strange beasts too. Khalk'ru is not the only thing down there.
Another thing I liked is that the plot itself was kind of unpredictable. The main character, Leaf Langdon, is unpredictable. And that certainly throws a big monkey wrench into everything. I never knew what he was going to do. Is he going to save people or kill people? Who's side is he actually on? I never knew until the very end. Plus the plot kept moving too! Lots of action. Sword fights, horses, scheming + planning, devious characters and loyal friends, a bunch of little people.
And there is Dwayanu. This ancient person is possessing Lief. Or IS he Leaf? But Dwayanu has power. And he likes it. He is bold and clever and he has many enemies. And he is a great warrior. But wars do not make one great, especially if they involve sacrificing people to Khalk'ru!
But I think the thing I like the best is the book makes me think. And it asks a big question. Is Leif really Dwayanu? Is Dwayanu his ancestor or is he reincarnated? Or is it all just a bunch of mumbo jumbo put into his head by an old priest? Only the reader can decide.
Classic sci-fi at it's best.
What did I like about this tale? For one I really enjoyed exploring this hidden unknown land: a deep, deep valley in Alaska somewhere but you are actually breathing carbon dioxide somehow and its actually HOT down there! Plus like any good fantasy it is filled with strange tribes of exotic people. And strange beasts too. Khalk'ru is not the only thing down there.
Another thing I liked is that the plot itself was kind of unpredictable. The main character, Leaf Langdon, is unpredictable. And that certainly throws a big monkey wrench into everything. I never knew what he was going to do. Is he going to save people or kill people? Who's side is he actually on? I never knew until the very end. Plus the plot kept moving too! Lots of action. Sword fights, horses, scheming + planning, devious characters and loyal friends, a bunch of little people.
And there is Dwayanu. This ancient person is possessing Lief. Or IS he Leaf? But Dwayanu has power. And he likes it. He is bold and clever and he has many enemies. And he is a great warrior. But wars do not make one great, especially if they involve sacrificing people to Khalk'ru!
But I think the thing I like the best is the book makes me think. And it asks a big question. Is Leif really Dwayanu? Is Dwayanu his ancestor or is he reincarnated? Or is it all just a bunch of mumbo jumbo put into his head by an old priest? Only the reader can decide.
Classic sci-fi at it's best.
May 6, 2012
A fun pulp adventure novel with lost civilizations, ancient rituals, wicked priests and comely princesses, or in one case, a witch-woman. Fans of old-style pulp fantasy would appreciate it most.
January 23, 2021
This pulp fiction adventure story was first published in 1932. It is surprisingly free from the prejudiced attitudes to women and ethnic minorities seen in other such fiction, although I did find it a bit irritating that the protagonist often refers to his best friend Jim, who is Cherokee, as "Indian" which seemed racist compared to Jim's nickname for him as "old timer". However, they are close friends as is shown in the story so I made allowances for the period in which this was written.
Leif, who has Nordic heritage, and Jim are travelling in a remote area of Alaska where they are meant to be looking for gold, at some time after WWI (where they served together after meeting at University). After they hear mysterious drums, Leif eventually unburdens to Jim and tells him of his experiences when he was working as an engineer in the Gobi Desert. He got on very well with the Mongolian tribes and found that his natural gift for languages enabled him to communicate with them easily (and refreshingly there is not the kind of description of such people that would have been found in the work of contemporaries of Merritt's such as H P Lovecraft). When his team moved north they came into contact with a strange tribe who usually kept themselves to themselves, but who showed an instant proprietary interest in Leif and taught him their language. They then showed up in force and Leif told his employer and colleagues to let them take him as he realised there would be a bloodbath otherwise - and to instantly depart south to the area of the friendly tribes leaving him to extricate himself.
The experiences which followed have haunted Leif since and now he senses that he is about to be drawn into the ambit of the Lovecraftesque being which is worshipped by the mysterious tribe. I won't say more about the plot other than it in some ways draws on the romantic tradition of the lost peoples living in their own mini paradise - Shangri La and the like - which were popular in fiction of the late Victorian period, popularised by writers such as H. Rider Haggard. On the whole, the various ethnic characters and women are treated with respect although Leif's romantic interest Evalie is a bit of a non character.
I found this a bit slow in the middle but it did pick up and on the whole is an entertaining adventure romp with a bit of philosophy regarding whether reincarnation exists or an ancestral memory. It wasn't a keeper, but was a workmanlike read and I am giving it a 3-star rating.
Leif, who has Nordic heritage, and Jim are travelling in a remote area of Alaska where they are meant to be looking for gold, at some time after WWI (where they served together after meeting at University). After they hear mysterious drums, Leif eventually unburdens to Jim and tells him of his experiences when he was working as an engineer in the Gobi Desert. He got on very well with the Mongolian tribes and found that his natural gift for languages enabled him to communicate with them easily (and refreshingly there is not the kind of description of such people that would have been found in the work of contemporaries of Merritt's such as H P Lovecraft). When his team moved north they came into contact with a strange tribe who usually kept themselves to themselves, but who showed an instant proprietary interest in Leif and taught him their language. They then showed up in force and Leif told his employer and colleagues to let them take him as he realised there would be a bloodbath otherwise - and to instantly depart south to the area of the friendly tribes leaving him to extricate himself.
The experiences which followed have haunted Leif since and now he senses that he is about to be drawn into the ambit of the Lovecraftesque being which is worshipped by the mysterious tribe. I won't say more about the plot other than it in some ways draws on the romantic tradition of the lost peoples living in their own mini paradise - Shangri La and the like - which were popular in fiction of the late Victorian period, popularised by writers such as H. Rider Haggard. On the whole, the various ethnic characters and women are treated with respect although Leif's romantic interest Evalie is a bit of a non character.
I found this a bit slow in the middle but it did pick up and on the whole is an entertaining adventure romp with a bit of philosophy regarding whether reincarnation exists or an ancestral memory. It wasn't a keeper, but was a workmanlike read and I am giving it a 3-star rating.
July 12, 2020
Η Ηρωική Φαντασία, δεν είναι ακριβώς το αγαπημένο μου είδος όχι όμως και κάτι που δεν διαβάζω η δεν έχω διαβάσει στο παρελθον. Κάποια με κούρασαν, κάποια τα έχω βρει χιλιοειπωμενα, κάποια σαχλα. Στον Μεριτ όμως βρήκα στοιχεία που συνάντησα σε πολλούς μεταγενεστερους συγγραφείς δείχνοντας μου τον βαθμό της επίδρασης του όχι μόνο στο συγκεκριμένο υποείδος αλλά γενικότερα στη λογοτεχνία Φανταστικού-Τρόμου. Όμορφες περιγραφές, σκανδιναβική Μυθολογία, μπόλικη φαντασία και αλληγορια από έναν διαβασμένο άνθρωπο χωρίς να κάνει κατάχρηση των γνώσεων του και να βαρύνει το κείμενο περισσότερο από όσο πρέπει.
Η βαθμολογία του θα ήταν κάτι σαν 3.8/5.
Η βαθμολογία του θα ήταν κάτι σαν 3.8/5.
November 2, 2018
Great pulp era adventure story. Merritt writes a nice concise fast paced story. Very recommended
October 26, 2020
Generally speaking, I’m not the target audience for pulp fantasy stories such as DWELLERS IN THE MIRAGE. The unrelenting machismo of explorers entering an undiscovered land, becoming warriors, and rescuing the most beautiful (and scantily clad) young woman who has ever been seen in the world has a ... well, sameness ... to it that is similar to so many other stories. This book has all of that.
However, it was also written by A. Merritt, which is fairly good assurance that the prose won’t be solely of the testosterone-laced and breathless style that so often plagues these stories. While not great Art by any stretch of the imagination, DWELLERS IN THE MIRAGE does have some surprising twists that keep things lively. The last few chapters were quite exciting and had vague echoes of the “Game of Thrones” television series.
Another cool element was that the shadowy and frightening “Old Being” that must have sacrifices when summoned had Lovecraft overtones. Merritt doesn’t create the constant feeling of dread that is found in the best of Lovecraft, but his inter-dimensional creature would feel right at home in the latter’s literary realm. I wish there had been more emphasis on that aspect.
If you are in the mood for a fantasy tale that springs from the heart of the pulp magazines, DWELLERS IN THE MIRAGE should satisfy.
However, it was also written by A. Merritt, which is fairly good assurance that the prose won’t be solely of the testosterone-laced and breathless style that so often plagues these stories. While not great Art by any stretch of the imagination, DWELLERS IN THE MIRAGE does have some surprising twists that keep things lively. The last few chapters were quite exciting and had vague echoes of the “Game of Thrones” television series.
Another cool element was that the shadowy and frightening “Old Being” that must have sacrifices when summoned had Lovecraft overtones. Merritt doesn’t create the constant feeling of dread that is found in the best of Lovecraft, but his inter-dimensional creature would feel right at home in the latter’s literary realm. I wish there had been more emphasis on that aspect.
If you are in the mood for a fantasy tale that springs from the heart of the pulp magazines, DWELLERS IN THE MIRAGE should satisfy.
February 2, 2023
A rather ludicrous sword and sorcery style epic of ancient gods and hidden 'primitive' people in the earth. Merritt writes with style and has lots of great ideas, it's just a shame the final product is a little bad. I don't think even he knew where he was going with this one, the ending is very sudden and a lot is left unexplained. Slightly awkward Aryan saviour rescues 'dark' princess from barbarians!!! Awkward.
September 24, 2015
I am a big fan of lost race stories, and 'Dwellers in the Mirage' is pretty decent, but not near the top of the list for me. (King Solomon's Mines, Abyss of Wonders, and The Seal of John Solomon are some of my top favorites in the sub-genre.)
The strange inhabitants and the "lost" elements in A. Merritt's novel are introduced so near the front of the book that I feel the story lacks the very, very important 'adventure' element--there is not much journey or struggle to find this lost race/civilization here, though certainly the "mirage" is a very well detailed bit of eerie geology, and the prologue is exciting, though it does reveal too much.
Although Merritt is considered one of the classic fantasists, a lot of his fantasy ideas here (and in The Face in the Abyss) are not really that imaginative. For instance: It's a slug, but it's really a big slug; he's a pygmy, but a pygmy with golden skin; it's an octopus, but with twelve tentacles rather than eight. The weirdness, prose, creativity, imagery, irony, and darkness of Clark Ashton Smith's worlds appeals to me far, far, far, far, far more than do the romantic, melodramatic ones Merritt built here and in The Face in the Abyss. (There's no better fantasy--pulp or otherwise--than "Isle of the Torturers," "Colossus of Ylourgne," "Dark Eidolon," and "Xeethra," by CAS.)
Since Merritt's lost Dwellers are found so soon, and the protagonist is so gifted and powerful (a problem that plagued the one and only Harry Potter book that I suffered through), most of the happenings in Dwellers in the Mirage are politicking, chases, and romance, rather than adventure and discovery. But as far as dense, highly magical, and very romantic fantasy goes, this book is pretty enjoyable.
The strange inhabitants and the "lost" elements in A. Merritt's novel are introduced so near the front of the book that I feel the story lacks the very, very important 'adventure' element--there is not much journey or struggle to find this lost race/civilization here, though certainly the "mirage" is a very well detailed bit of eerie geology, and the prologue is exciting, though it does reveal too much.
Although Merritt is considered one of the classic fantasists, a lot of his fantasy ideas here (and in The Face in the Abyss) are not really that imaginative. For instance: It's a slug, but it's really a big slug; he's a pygmy, but a pygmy with golden skin; it's an octopus, but with twelve tentacles rather than eight. The weirdness, prose, creativity, imagery, irony, and darkness of Clark Ashton Smith's worlds appeals to me far, far, far, far, far more than do the romantic, melodramatic ones Merritt built here and in The Face in the Abyss. (There's no better fantasy--pulp or otherwise--than "Isle of the Torturers," "Colossus of Ylourgne," "Dark Eidolon," and "Xeethra," by CAS.)
Since Merritt's lost Dwellers are found so soon, and the protagonist is so gifted and powerful (a problem that plagued the one and only Harry Potter book that I suffered through), most of the happenings in Dwellers in the Mirage are politicking, chases, and romance, rather than adventure and discovery. But as far as dense, highly magical, and very romantic fantasy goes, this book is pretty enjoyable.
September 10, 2012
Leif Langdon is ostensibly a mining engineer, but really a blonde, tall, polyglot entertainer of natives on an expedition in Mongolia. A tribe takes an odd interest in him, teaching him their language, which he learns in a mere three weeks and their rituals. Before long, he is in their camp summoning the Kraken - a Lovecraftian horror octopus god - and sacrificing a young pregnant woman in the process. He flees, but a few years later finds himself in Alaska with his Cherokee blood brother and the call of the Kraken is loud indeed. Following it, he finds himself in the Mirage. It is a world populated by friendly 'little people' and less than friendly warrior woman tribes. An alter-ego of his, Dwayanu - a warrior/priest and possibly deliverer - comes to the fore in his mind, alienating him from his blood brother, the woman he loves and the tribe he has come to respect. Can he reassert himself in time and end the cruel sacrifices to the Kraken?
I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would. Is it high literature? No. Is it dated in places? Yes (it was written in 1932). Is it pulp schlock? To a point. But a better class of pulp schlock.
There is a fair amount of fan service here (the vast majority of the women go around naked or bare breasted) and it is of its time. Some of the 'facts' (i.e. we only use 10% of our brain) are now outdated (but still, willing suspension of disbelief) and the views of native peoples can sometimes seem jarring to modern sensibilities (though not as much as I expected.
All in all, a pretty good read. It won't change your life and you are unlikely to be raving about it in the pub but good fun nonetheless.
I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would. Is it high literature? No. Is it dated in places? Yes (it was written in 1932). Is it pulp schlock? To a point. But a better class of pulp schlock.
There is a fair amount of fan service here (the vast majority of the women go around naked or bare breasted) and it is of its time. Some of the 'facts' (i.e. we only use 10% of our brain) are now outdated (but still, willing suspension of disbelief) and the views of native peoples can sometimes seem jarring to modern sensibilities (though not as much as I expected.
All in all, a pretty good read. It won't change your life and you are unlikely to be raving about it in the pub but good fun nonetheless.
April 4, 2020
I often enjoy older fantasy/science fiction novels, because I feel that authors before, say, the 1970s, before Man had actually landed on the moon, had both more developed writing skills and more fervid imaginations. Much modern science fiction in our high-tech age seems churned out to meet a market and is quite lazy in its intellectual rigour.
And so, I was eager to tackle the 1932 novel Dwellers in the Mirage by Abraham Merritt, who mostly went by the simpler moniker A. Merritt.
Relatively short, it is a mix of fantasy, science fiction, anthropology, linguistics and mystical religion. It has all the elements of a drive-in B movie, with adventure, battles, exotic locations, the intrigues of love and friendship, little people, huge leeches and even scores of semi-naked women.
Unfortunately, while Merritt keeps the action moving along while still taking the time to include some wonderful descriptive passages of the strange flora and fauna his heroes encounter, it doesn't quite always hang together coherently.
This could actually have been better as a longer novel, with more plot and character development. It feels a bit rushed, with the major players and events portrayed as somewhat shallow.
I won't say much about the actual plot. Fair to say that the hero Leif Langdon/Dwayanu has something of an identity crisis, an eventual epiphany, he gets the girls (good and bad) despite his rough treatment, people seem to like him despite his violence and poor judgement, his best friend dies, and it all turns out well at the end, or not, depending on which of the alternate endings you prefer.
All in all, reasonably good, not great, classic sci fi/fantasy. I'm giving it 3.5 stars.
And so, I was eager to tackle the 1932 novel Dwellers in the Mirage by Abraham Merritt, who mostly went by the simpler moniker A. Merritt.
Relatively short, it is a mix of fantasy, science fiction, anthropology, linguistics and mystical religion. It has all the elements of a drive-in B movie, with adventure, battles, exotic locations, the intrigues of love and friendship, little people, huge leeches and even scores of semi-naked women.
Unfortunately, while Merritt keeps the action moving along while still taking the time to include some wonderful descriptive passages of the strange flora and fauna his heroes encounter, it doesn't quite always hang together coherently.
This could actually have been better as a longer novel, with more plot and character development. It feels a bit rushed, with the major players and events portrayed as somewhat shallow.
I won't say much about the actual plot. Fair to say that the hero Leif Langdon/Dwayanu has something of an identity crisis, an eventual epiphany, he gets the girls (good and bad) despite his rough treatment, people seem to like him despite his violence and poor judgement, his best friend dies, and it all turns out well at the end, or not, depending on which of the alternate endings you prefer.
All in all, reasonably good, not great, classic sci fi/fantasy. I'm giving it 3.5 stars.
November 5, 2020
This seemed like it ought to be good: interesting setting, imaginative concept, non-formulaic plot, decent writing, pulpy in a good way. However, it was somehow less than the sum of its parts. I grew increasingly less interested the longer it went on. (And yes, this was an Appendix N recommendation.)
October 14, 2022
Fantasy adventure from the early 1930's. Hasn't aged well. I may still have a copy, which I should cull.
July 24, 2019
First, this is really more like 3.25 stars, so a little better than the 3 I give it, but not enough to warrant 4. Also, the version I read wasn't this exact one, but the version I read didn't match any of the other covers and I didn't like them, so this was the least off-putting to me.
This is one of those early 20th century sci-fi/fantasy books akin to Burroughs and Kipling where we have a "great white savior" come and restore order and peace. In that vein it feels and reads very dated, complete with some of the racism and a lot of the sexism of that time. Leif Langdon is an explorer who finds himself cast as the reincarnation of a sort of demigod. But his first experience abhors him, so he flees, only to be caught up years later in the same religion and experience in a different part of the world. Only this time he finds that he must face the thing it is that lies behind the ancient religion. And the love of two women (because, of course, right?) is at stake, one on each side of the conflict. And he also must face the man he has/can become, the embodiment of the demigod who rules over a kingdom and worships the thing that brings death.
The story, in and of itself, is good, and the characters are portrayed fairly well, if not a little "larger than life" in the process. Good and evil are clearly defined, and the battle is as much within the mind of Leif as it is between the conflicting peoples who dwell in the mirage (the aspect of the story that lends it the sci-fi air). It is enjoyable even if a little two-dimensional and obvious. And, as I always prefer, it has a happy ending. :-)
If you are not familiar with Abraham Merritt (A. Merritt) but are a fan (casual or enthusiastic) of this genre and time period, you will enjoy this book. Like most of the books from this era, it falls into the "classic" space but not the "great" space. Maybe along the lines of a "beach read" during the summer or "rainy day read" at other times of the year.
This is one of those early 20th century sci-fi/fantasy books akin to Burroughs and Kipling where we have a "great white savior" come and restore order and peace. In that vein it feels and reads very dated, complete with some of the racism and a lot of the sexism of that time. Leif Langdon is an explorer who finds himself cast as the reincarnation of a sort of demigod. But his first experience abhors him, so he flees, only to be caught up years later in the same religion and experience in a different part of the world. Only this time he finds that he must face the thing it is that lies behind the ancient religion. And the love of two women (because, of course, right?) is at stake, one on each side of the conflict. And he also must face the man he has/can become, the embodiment of the demigod who rules over a kingdom and worships the thing that brings death.
The story, in and of itself, is good, and the characters are portrayed fairly well, if not a little "larger than life" in the process. Good and evil are clearly defined, and the battle is as much within the mind of Leif as it is between the conflicting peoples who dwell in the mirage (the aspect of the story that lends it the sci-fi air). It is enjoyable even if a little two-dimensional and obvious. And, as I always prefer, it has a happy ending. :-)
If you are not familiar with Abraham Merritt (A. Merritt) but are a fan (casual or enthusiastic) of this genre and time period, you will enjoy this book. Like most of the books from this era, it falls into the "classic" space but not the "great" space. Maybe along the lines of a "beach read" during the summer or "rainy day read" at other times of the year.
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December 29, 2015One of Merritt's last works, Dwellers merges many then current pulp themes into an absurd but fast moving fantasy. Leif Langdon visits Mongolia where he encounters a sacrifice to Khalk'ru, a kraken like monster from the void (think Chthuluu). He also encounters Uighurs, learns their language and appears to be related to them. Later, exploring Alaska with his Native American pal Jim, he descends beneath an mist shrouded valley to encounter a lost world. He finds a pygmy race race Ayjir ruled by Evalie, a red headed beauty. Across the river is another race of regular sized folks ruled by Lur, the wolf woman, her Amazon warriors, and her evil companion Tibur. After saving a pygmy, Leif hooks up with Evalie. Leif begins to show his ancestral memories of being Dwayanu, leader of the pygmy's enemies. He is cast into the river and ends up in their territory, where his alter personality begins to take control. He hooks up with Lur and fights and defeats Tibur. He leads a successful attack on nearby city Sirk with lots of barbarian style bloodletting. Evalie and Jim are tricked into coming across the river; Jim is killed in the battle. In the climax, Evalie is chained to be sacrificed to Khalk'ru by Lur, Leif crashes the Kraken screen with his hammer, and Lur and her worlf are slain by spears from Sri, the companion Ayjir. Leif and Evalie leave the mist shrouded valley although "Dwayanu still lives within me." There's lots of action, white wolves, semi-clad or nude women warriors and blustering male ego. Leif gets to be both modern empathetic man and barbarian warrior, fulfilling both young male fantasies.
October 28, 2014
Read this book if … you revel in the pulpiest of pulpy fantasy stock. This book is loads of fun if you’re a reader who can turn off the baby skeptic inside all of us readers and let the white waters of Nanbu carry you out into Ayjirland. Read Dwellers in the Mirage for some mindless escapism–perfect for a summer read on a beach or while curled up under a blanket, in front of a fire, ignoring all your worldly responsibilities.
Don’t read this book if … you’re too pretentious to be seen carrying books with half-naked, sword-wielding, blonde demigods on the cover. With all its coined, fantastical words, its witchcraft, and its high fantasy swordplay, DitW isn’t a book for everyone. Steer clear if you’re one of those mythological folks who can only read about “real” things. (No, but really, this book is kind of silly.)
This book is like … H. Rider Haggard’s She, and H.G. Wells, especially The Time Machine, and other sci-fi/fantasy novels written my authors who abbreviate one or more of their names. These were probably the books Merritt grew up on.
Read my full review on my blog: http://litbeetle.com/2014/10/28/on-a-...
Don’t read this book if … you’re too pretentious to be seen carrying books with half-naked, sword-wielding, blonde demigods on the cover. With all its coined, fantastical words, its witchcraft, and its high fantasy swordplay, DitW isn’t a book for everyone. Steer clear if you’re one of those mythological folks who can only read about “real” things. (No, but really, this book is kind of silly.)
This book is like … H. Rider Haggard’s She, and H.G. Wells, especially The Time Machine, and other sci-fi/fantasy novels written my authors who abbreviate one or more of their names. These were probably the books Merritt grew up on.
Read my full review on my blog: http://litbeetle.com/2014/10/28/on-a-...
June 14, 2015
Really strange reading this right after Sword of Rhiannon, since both books share the same core concept and even have the same ending (bringing the love interest from the fantasy realm back to the modern day world). Well, even though I read the other one first, Dwellers came before it. This is another lost world tale similar to Merritt's previous effort, The Moon Pool. This time the monster being worshipped is an obvious homage to Lovecraft's Cthulhu, here called Khalk'ru. Unlike the Sword of Rhiannon, we never actually get an explanation of how our hero gets implanted with the alternate personality of the long-dead king. Also unclear is why the hero decides to leave the realm at the end. Still, a very quick and exciting story.
December 6, 2015
Tío bueno, cabeza cuadra rubiales, con su amigo indígena. Localizan lugar que los llevara a un mundo paralele en el que habitan seres diferentes o parecidos. En este correrán aventuran tras pasar una civilización tras otro. Lo común ahí: piensan que el rubiazo es la reencarnación de alguien que fue poderoso allí. Llega al punto de creérselo y aumentar su ego ¿merecidamente?
¡Ah! hay un "Chulú" con sus babas y miembros viriles.
¡Ah! hay un "Chulú" con sus babas y miembros viriles.
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February 1, 2016Four stars from Sandy!
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
September 15, 2021
Am ridicat capul, ascultând ― nu numai cu urechile, ci cu fiecare centimetru pătrat al pielii, așteptând reapariția sunetului care mă trezise. Era liniște, liniște totală. Niciun tufiș în ramurile de molizi adunate în jurul micii tabere. Fără agitare a vieții furtive în tufiș. Prin turlele molidelor, stelele au strălucit slab în scurtul apus de soare până la răsăritul crepusculului din vara timpurie din Alaska.
Un vânt brusc a îndoit vârfurile de molid, purtând din nou sunetul ― sunetul unei nicovalele bătute.
Am scăpat din pătură și am înconjurat tăciunele slabe ale focului spre Jim. Vocea lui m-a oprit.
„Bine, Leif. Îl aud.”
Vântul a oftat și a murit, iar odată cu acesta au murit zvonurile ulterioare ale loviturii de nicovală. Înainte să putem vorbi, a răsărit vântul. A purtat zumzetul ulterior al nicovalei ― slab și departe. Și din nou vântul a murit și, odată cu acesta, sunetul.
„O nicovală, Leif!”
„Ascultă!”
O rafală mai puternică a legănat molidele. A purtat o scandare îndepărtată; voci ale multor femei și bărbați cântând o temă ciudată, minoră. Cântarea s-a încheiat pe un acord plângător, arhaic, disonant.
Se auzi un rulou lung de tobe, care se ridica într-un crescendo rapid, care se termina brusc. După ea, o confuzie subțire și clamorous.
Era înăbușită de o limbă dureroasă, susținută, ca un tunet, dezactivată de kilometri. În ea sfidare, provocare.
Un vânt brusc a îndoit vârfurile de molid, purtând din nou sunetul ― sunetul unei nicovalele bătute.
Am scăpat din pătură și am înconjurat tăciunele slabe ale focului spre Jim. Vocea lui m-a oprit.
„Bine, Leif. Îl aud.”
Vântul a oftat și a murit, iar odată cu acesta au murit zvonurile ulterioare ale loviturii de nicovală. Înainte să putem vorbi, a răsărit vântul. A purtat zumzetul ulterior al nicovalei ― slab și departe. Și din nou vântul a murit și, odată cu acesta, sunetul.
„O nicovală, Leif!”
„Ascultă!”
O rafală mai puternică a legănat molidele. A purtat o scandare îndepărtată; voci ale multor femei și bărbați cântând o temă ciudată, minoră. Cântarea s-a încheiat pe un acord plângător, arhaic, disonant.
Se auzi un rulou lung de tobe, care se ridica într-un crescendo rapid, care se termina brusc. După ea, o confuzie subțire și clamorous.
Era înăbușită de o limbă dureroasă, susținută, ca un tunet, dezactivată de kilometri. În ea sfidare, provocare.
June 21, 2023
Abraham Grace Merritt (1884–1943), who wrote as A. Merritt, was a popular fantasy and science fiction writer during the 1920s and 1930s. Primarily a journalist, he wrote fiction as a sideline, until his work brought renown from his fiction. Less well known today, Merritt was a bestselling novelist in his era. His books appear on more than one all-time “best” lists, and if you search them out online on sights like Goodreads you may be surprised by the number of editions many of his books have reached.
Dwellers of the Mirage is both a fantasy and an adventure novel. One of his later works, it first saw print in 1932. 20th Century Leif Langdon suddenly finds himself sharing his consciousness with the ancient Dwayanu in the hidden world of The Mirage. There he rises to power and must battle against those who seek his death—primarily the witch-woman Lur and her cronies.
The novel holds up well today and fans of action, romance, mystery, and adventure stories won’t be disappointed. Merritt has been criticized for his overuse of description and detail. It’s true the pace could have been a bit brisker, but the prose remains interesting and at times surprisingly modern.
Dwellers of the Mirage is both a fantasy and an adventure novel. One of his later works, it first saw print in 1932. 20th Century Leif Langdon suddenly finds himself sharing his consciousness with the ancient Dwayanu in the hidden world of The Mirage. There he rises to power and must battle against those who seek his death—primarily the witch-woman Lur and her cronies.
The novel holds up well today and fans of action, romance, mystery, and adventure stories won’t be disappointed. Merritt has been criticized for his overuse of description and detail. It’s true the pace could have been a bit brisker, but the prose remains interesting and at times surprisingly modern.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews