Book Review: “Silverlock: Including The Silverlock Companion” cult classic for fantasy fans
Silverlock: Including The Silverlock Companion, John Myers Myers
NESFA Press. Hardcover.
509 pages.
Written by Rich Rogers
“If I had cared to live, I would have died.” (pg. 31)
That’s the start of John Myers Myers’ fantasy classic, “Silverlock.”
Originally published in 1949 by Myers, a noted historian of the American West (he has several historical books and novels about the West as well), “Silverlock” is the story of A. Clarence Shandon, who has been shipwrecked off the coast of the Commonwealth, and his subsequent journey through the island and his encounters.
A Chicago native, Shandon is a callow and caddish sort, confident, worldwise and cynical. He is left foundering in the sea as the ship he’s taken a cruise on, the Naglfar, sinks, leaving him afloat in the drink. He survives by sharing a floating piece of mast with a stranger who identifies himself as Boyan Taliesin Golias. But he’s got a host of other names as well. You know things are going to be interesting when Golias and Shandon witness the sinking of the Pequod, and Golias comments, “We’re in the right waters.” (pg. 36)
But the adventure truly begins when they land and Shandon–nicknamed Silverlock by Golias for a silver streak in his hair–has a disastrous encounter with Circe, of “Odyssey” fame. From there they fall in with the Viking invader Hrogarth, who slew the great Irish king Brian Boru. Silverlock spends a few weeks with Robin Hood and his men. And that’s just the beginning. He encounters everyone from Dante to Twain during his time in the Commonwealth, meeting hundreds of characters–and mixtures of characters–from world mythology, great literature, and world history. He gets to hear the story of the Alamo told in old Nordic form.
Over the years, “Silverlock” has become a cult classic among fantasy fans. Most modern versions include the four forewords written by such sci-fi and fantasy legends as Karen Anderson, Poul Anderson, Jerry Pournelle, and Larry Niven. This edition, reprinted in 2004, includes “The Silverlock Companion” which includes a lot more. The additions add about 200 pages to the full package. There is a Reader’s Guide, music for the songs you encounter throughout the story, a list of all the literary allusions, and even more.
The thing that slowed me down most here was taking time to check the Reader’s Guide when I recognized something and couldn’t quite put my finger on it. And that happens a lot here. As Silverlock travels through the Commonwealth, he begins to see life in a new light, especially his own. But the question is, is it enough? Will he learn enough, and come out new and improved?
Myers’ tone and style are an interesting mix of 1940s slang, Hammett-esque smart mouth, and a leisurely stroll as Silverlock works his way from one end of the Commonwealth to another. It’s definitely an interesting and worthwhile trip for those who are willing to hunt down this book, whether it’s this edition or one of the paperback versions. You’ll have to search Amazon or other websites for this one, but it’s worth the effort.
