Bøker av Francis Stevens

Exposed to a high-tech dust that can transport people from one dimension to another, three travelers must try to escape the totalitarian Philadelphia of 2118.When three people in Philadelphia inhale dust developed by a scientist who has discovered parallel universes, they are transported into an interdimensional no-man’s land that is populated by supernatural beings. From there, they go on to an alternate-future version of Philadelphia—a frightening dystopian nation-state in which citizens are numbered, not named. How will they escape? In The Heads of Cerberus and Other Stories, introduced by Lisa Yaszek, you will find this world-bending story as well as five others written by Francis Stevens, the pseudonym of Gertrude Barrows Bennett, a pioneering science fiction and fantasy adventure writer from Minneapolis who made her literary debut at the precocious age of 17.Often celebrated as “the woman who invented dark fantasy,” Bennett possessed incredible range; her groundbreaking stories—produced largely between 1904 and 1919—suggest that she is better understood as the mother of modern genre fiction writ large. Bennett’s work has anticipated everything from the work of Philip K. Dick to Superman comics to The Hunger Games, making it as relevant now as it ever was.Francis Stevens (Gertrude Barrows Bennett, 1884-1948) was the first American woman to publish widely in fantasy and science fiction. Her five short stories and seven longer works of fiction, all of which appeared in pulp magazines such as Argosy, All-Story Weekly, and Weird Tales, would influence everyone from H.P Lovecraft to C.L. Moore.

THE HEADS OF CERBERUS (Dystopian Classic) presents an enthralling exploration of dystopian landscapes through a collection that transcends traditional narrative boundaries. This anthology encapsulates the essence of speculative fiction with a masterful blend of suspense, societal critique, and inventive storytelling. The works within capture the tension between individual autonomy and authoritarian control, drawing readers into worlds that challenge the status quo and provoke deep reflection. Standout narratives employ allegory and metaphor to explore themes of freedom and oppression, highlighting the persistent allure and danger of power. Together, these pieces craft a vivid tableau of dystopian visions that are as cautionary as they are compelling. The contributing authors, spearheaded by Gertrude Barrows Bennett and Francis Stevens, are pioneers of the early 20th-century speculative fiction genre, whose groundbreaking contributions have left indelible marks on literary history. Their imaginative prowess and innovative narratives align with the cultural and historical shifts of their era, reflecting the anxieties and aspirations of a rapidly changing world. These voices converge to offer insightful critiques of their contemporary societies, drawing from a rich tapestry of historical and literary influences that continue to resonate in today's societal discourse. For readers seeking a multifaceted examination of dystopian themes, this collection is an invaluable resource. It invites audiences to traverse diverse landscapes of imagination and introspection within a single volume. The anthology's educational merit lies in its ability to present varied perspectives, fostering dialogue and critical engagement with themes of governance, human rights, and existential inquiry. This volume promises not only to entertain but also to inspire thoughtful consideration of the complexities of human society and its future.

The Citadel of Fear (1918) is a science fiction novel by Francis Stevens. Using her well-known pseudonym, Gertrude Barrows Bennett published some of the twentieth century¿s greatest science fiction stories and novels. The Citadel of Fear, her debut novel, has been recognized as a powerful tale of the lost world genre of adventure and remains central to Stevens¿ reputation as a pioneering author of fantasy and science fiction. As the Great War rages on, two Irish American prospectors journey across the Mexican desert in search of fortune. Lucky to survive the heat and harsh conditions, they discover a dense jungle rumored to be the home of a lost tribe of Aztecs devoted to the serpent god Quetzalcoatl. Despite their fears, Kennedy and Colin O¿Hara remain determined to complete their mission, no matter the cost. Venturing through the darkness of the jungle, they find the underground city of Tlapallam, where a group of assailants takes Kennedy prisoner. Left to return alone through the desert, O¿Hara vows to return for his friend. Published at the height of Stevens¿ career as a popular storyteller in the nation¿s leading fantasy magazines, The Citadel of Fear is a lost world novel in the tradition of H. Rider Haggard and Edgar Rice Burroughs that continues to entertain and astound over a century after it appeared in print. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Francis Stevens¿ The Citadel of Fear is a classic work of American science fiction reimagined for modern readers.

Two adventurers, prospecting for gold in the jungles of Mexico, stumble across a lost Aztec city and cause an ancient evil to be unleashed. An early science fiction masterpiece written by Gertrude Barrows Bennett, writing as Francis Stevens.

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The story is set on an island separated from the rest of the world, on which evolution has taken a different course. "The Nightmare" resembles Edgar Rice Burroughs'' The Land That Time Forgot, which was published a year later. While Bennett had submitted "The Nightmare" under her own name, she had asked to use a pseudonym, Jean Vail, if it was published. The magazine''s editor instead chose to use Francis Stevens, which she stuck to for rest of her writings as well. Excerpt: "I never met a burglar, but if I ever should it would be embarrassing to point a pistol at him and not be able to fire it off. I admire the heroes of burglar stories. They''re always such efficient people."

One of Bennett''s most famous novel, Claimed, narrates the tale of a supernatural artifact which summons an ancient and powerful god to early 20th century New Jersey. Augustus T. Swift called the novel, "One of the strangest and most compelling science fantasy novels you will ever read"). Excerpt: "From where we stood the illusion of ruins was nearly perfect, and indeed - who knows? - we may to-day have looked upon the last surviving trace of some ancient city, flung up from the abyss that engulfed it ages before the brief history we have of the race of man began. I would have liked to investigate the "ruins" more closely, but thought best not to attempt it. From many fissures hot, ill-smelling, and probably poisonous vapor is still pouring up, and though the rock is sufficiently cool so that it is possible to walk on it, I deemed it safer to confine exploration to a comparatively small space near our landing-place."

A rediscovered classic of science fiction, set in a dystopian twenty-second-century society where the winner takes all, a precursor to The Hunger Games by one of the genre's first major female writers-with an introduction by Naomi Alderman, New York Times bestselling author of The Power and DisobediencePhiladelphia, 1918: Three friends-brave, confident Viola Trenmore, clever but shy Robert Drayton, and Viola's strong and hot-tempered brother, Terry-discover a mysterious powder that transports them two hundred years into the future. The Philadelphia of 2118 is no longer a bustling metropolis but instead a completely isolated city recovering from an unknown disaster. Citizens are issued identification tags instead of having names, and society is split between a wealthy, powerful minority and a downtrodden lower class. The position of supreme authority is held by a woman, and once a year she oversees competitions to the death to determine who rules alongside her. When Viola, Terry, and Robert are forced to take part in these strange and deadly games, it will take their combined wits for them to escape this strange world and return home.Equal parts adventure and dystopia, The Heads of Cerberus is an unjustly forgotten work of early science fiction written by a trailblazing master of the genre.Praise for The Heads of Cerberus"An early-twentieth-century time-travel dystopia whose vision of 2118 resonates eerily with our own century . . . a fast-paced, imaginative yarn."-Kirkus Reviews"An intriguing and political time-travel adventure."-Publishers WeeklyThe Modern Library Torchbearers series features women who wrote on their own terms, with boldness, creativity, and a spirit of resistance.

Gertrude Barrows Bennett (1883-1948) was the first major female writer of fantasy and science fiction in the United States, publishing her stories under the pseudonym Francis Stevens. Bennett wrote a number of highly acclaimed fantasies between 1917 and 1923 and has been called "the woman who invented dark fantasy". Her most famous books include Claimed (which Augustus T. Swift, in a letter to The Argosy called "One of the strangest and most compelling science fantasy novels you will ever read") and the lost world novel The Citadel of Fear. Bennett also wrote an early dystopian novel, The Heads of Cerberus (1919). Nighmares! And other stories - is a nice collection of her short stories and novelettes.

Claimed opens with the recovery of a mysterious artifact, a strange box bearing an undecipherable inscription, from an uncharted island following an undersea volcanic explosion that nearly dooms the ship that discovers it. Brought back to civilization, the box is purchased by a crotchety old millionaire who quickly comes to regret it. Horrible apparitions of the sea appear at night and frightening dreams plague the old man, his niece and the young doctor who's serving him. While the doctor does what he can to learn of the box's origin and the meaning of the strange writing, the nonstop macabre visions, and occasional deaths, that have appeared in the box's wake eventually lead to the abduction of the old man and his niece by persons unknown. In pursuit of his employer across the high seas, the doctor learns of the box's evil origins from the mad sailor who originally found it. "One of the strangest and most compelling science fantasy novels you will ever read"

The Citadel of Fear by Francis Stevens It tells the tale of two adventurers, an Irishman and an American, who come upon the lost Aztec city of Tlapallan, in the wilds of Mexico. One is taken over by an evil god while the other falls in love with a woman from Tlapallan. Back in the states, the possessed man begins to use magic to mutate civilians. At the home of the Irishman's sister, a rampaging monster trashes the house one night, and that is only the beginning of one incredibly wild ride with many twists and breathtaking surprises. Nightmare creatures, battling Aztec gods and indoor swamps. Francis Stevens - "the woman who invented dark fantasy"

A trio of time-travelers land in Philadelphia's brutal totalitarian state of 2118. Loaded with action and humor, this 1919 classic was the first alternate-world fantasy. "A much-sought rarity." -- "Analog."

Capped by a silver figure of Cerberus, the three-headed hound that guards the gates of Hell, an ancient glass vial contains ordinary-looking dust. Once inhaled, however, the dust exhibits extraordinary powers, transporting a trio of adventurers from the early twentieth century to the year 2118. The time-travelers emerge into Philadelphia's brutal totalitarian state, where the city hall is a temple, a statue of William Penn is worshipped as an idol, and the citizens are crushed under the religious tyranny of the Penn Service and its Superlatives. This 1919 classic was the first alternate-world fantasy. Loaded with action and humor, the imaginative extravaganza anticipates the work of Philip K. Dick. Author Francis Stevens--actually Gertrude Bennett, a pioneer of science fiction and fantasy--was praised by H. P. Lovecraft as ranking among the top grade of writers, and her dystopian political and social satire continues to captivate modern readers.Dover (2014) republication of the edition published by Polaris Press, Reading, Pennsylvania, 1952.See every Dover book in print atwww.doverpublications.com

A collection of tales that have played an integral role in the development of modern dark fantasy.