The complete John the Balladeer / Manly Wade Wellman.
| Author/creator | Wellman, Manly Wade author. |
| Format | Book |
| Edition | First edition. |
| Edition | Trade edition. |
| Publication | Royal Oak, Michigan : Haffner Press, 2023. |
| Description | 2 volumes : illustrations ; 24 cm |
| Other author/creator | Jones, Stephen, 1953- writer of introduction. https://id.oclc.org/worldcat/entity/E39PBJgt38pDwjgHhCK646FHYP |
| Other author/creator | Kirk, Tim, 1947- illustrator. https://id.oclc.org/worldcat/entity/E39PBJgd9vPkRW3FC3dyMmFYfq |
| Other author/creator | Capers, Hedges, writer of afterword. |
| Other author/creator | Haffner, Stephen, editor. |
| Other author/creator | LoBrutto, Pat, writer of introduction. |
| Other author/creator | Wagner, Karl Edward, writer of supplementary textual content. |
| Abstract | "John, whose last name is never revealed, is a wandering singer who carries a guitar strung with strings of pure silver. He is a veteran of the Korean War and served in the U.S. Army as a sharpshooter (in the novel After Dark, he mentions that his highest rank was PFC). In his travels, he frequently encounters creatures and superstitions from the folk tales and superstitions of the mountain people. Though John has no formal education, he is self-taught, highly intelligent and widely read; it is implied that his knowledge of occult and folk legendarium is of Ph.D level. This knowledge has granted him competent use of white magic, which he has used on occasion to overcome enemies or obstacles, but it is primarily his courage, wit and essential goodness that always enables him to triumph over supernatural evils (although the silver strings of his guitar and his possession of a copy of The Long Lost Friend are also powerful tools in fighting evil magic), while basic Army training allows him to physically deal with human foes. The stories are rich in the customs and lore of the region and many of the folk songs John sings are authentic as well. Wellman did introduce some original songs and legends but his creations blend seamlessly with the traditional material. Whereas Tolkien integrated Northern mythology into his mythos, and C.S. Lewis the European Fairy Tales of yore, Wellman's stories are drenched in the folktales and songs of old Americana; the haunting stories of the slaves and the tall tales of the Revolution, strange beasts, witch-women, and dark apparitions"-- Provided by publisher. |
| Local note | Joyner Schlobin Coll.: first volume signed on title page by Stephen Jones and Stephen Haffner. Second volume signed on title page See also manuscript material related to the James H. and Virginia Schlobin Literature of the Fantastic Collection. Ask in Joyner Library Special Collections. |
| General note | v. 1: "Introduction by Stephen Jones ; interior artwork by Tim Kirk ; afterword by Hedges Capers ; edited by Stephen Haffner." |
| General note | v. 2: "Introduction by Patrick J. LoBrutto ; interior artwork by Tim Kirk ; interview and eulogy by Karl Edward Wagner ; edited by Stephen Haffner." |
| Acquisitions source | Joyner Schlobin Coll. item purchased from Red Dragon Books 20260118 |
| Genre/form | short stories. |
| Genre/form | Fantasy fiction. |
| Genre/form | Short stories. |
| Genre/form | Nouvelles. |
| LCCN | 2020949878 |
| ISBN | 9781893887954 (v. 1 ; hardcover) |
| ISBN | 1893887952 |
| ISBN | 9781893887961 (v. 2 ; hardcover) |
| ISBN | 1893887960 |
| ISBN | (limited edition) |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joyner | Schlobin Fantasy Collection | PS3545.E52858 C66 2023 V. 1 | ✔ Available | Request Material |
| Joyner | Schlobin Fantasy Collection | PS3545.E52858 C66 2023 V. 2 | ✔ Available | Request Material |