There was a certain class of writing that flourished in the early twentieth century, predominantly in North America. Pulp Fiction was so called because of the cheap nature of the paper used by the magazines that were its publishers. Topics ranged from western, true crime, romance to the first sword and sorcery epics.
It was on these pages that Philip Marlow first appeared from the pen of Raymond Chandler, Robert E. Howard brought Conan the Barbarian to life, and a variety of well-known authors and lesser lights toiled for pennies a word. While the majority of the stuff written on that cheap paper was highly forgettable, they did give birth to significant genres of popular literature.
Without those magazines we would probably not see shelves lined with Harlequin Romances, Westerns, Mystery Novels, or the majority of today’s Science Fiction titles. Writers like Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, and others all got their starts writing for these pages. In fact, even with the heyday of magazine fiction long gone there still persists a good market for Science Fiction stories in that format.
Of all the subcategories of Science Fiction/Fantasy out there, the one that probably owes the biggest debt to the magazines is “Sword and Sorcery”. Home to the indomitable Conan The Barbarian series, this genre is characterized by its straightforward plot lines, two-dimensional characters, and simplistic themes. Action, Action, Action, is what thy are all about.
There is usually a stalwart hero, more often then not an outsider, who is possessed of the characteristics of Rousseau's noble savage. While the soft, corrupt, civilized men fail around him, he is able to overcome obstacles and defeat impossible odds. At some point in his adventures he will have to overcome a monster or two, and defeat some sort of sorcery. If he’s lucky there will be a lithesome woman or two along the way to be freed, who will show their undying gratitude.
Now before the storm of protest starts blowing out server lines I know that was a highly pejorative assessment of the style. In recent years authors have been able to elevate these basic elements into stories that are both gripping and intelligent. Far removed from the simplistic formula of yesterday, they offer a far less guilt-ridden pleasure than their predecessors.
In a nod to women’s liberation, gone are the days of scantily clad temple girls waiting to be rescued and ravaged. Plots have evolved beyond man kills monster, slays evil wizard, and steals gold, and characters are more than one-dimensional. But the basic premise of action, action and more action still remains.
One does not go to Sword and Sorcery looking for deep intellectual meanings. You go for the pleasure of reading a well-written story, interesting characters, and for fun. Recently I have had the good fortune to come across a series of books that exemplifies all that can be good about this genre.
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