"John DeChancie - Castle 05 - Castle Murders" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dechancie John)

uneven style by turns breezy, serviceable, and sesquipedalian, these tales hew close to all the
conventions of the popular romance, and are consequently guilty of the faults and foibles that go along
with such fare. But minor narrative flaws can be ignored, as can the occasional textual solecism. (In the
first volume, “portfolio” is used where “folio” is meant. A typo, or the result of the author’s ignorance?
We will charitably opt for the former, as “folio” does appear elsewhere.) It is the story, after all, that is
of prime interest.

Above all, read the castle tales and enjoy them. The magic casements open; the perilous seas and all of
Creation lie before you.…

— Osmirik, Royal Scribe and Librarian


Foreword to the Fifth Volume


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 Castle MurdersJohn DeChanciee-reads2002Texttext/html0-7592-6266-7en-usen-usCopyright © 1994 by John DeChancie{59FFE082-6408-11



Enigma upon enigma!

Initially only four volumes of the Castle Edition of The Eidolons were planned, for the simple reason
that only four original paperbacks were found. Now, a fifth penny dreadful (Really — how long are
these cheap books expected to last? — surely no more than a fortnight!) has appeared in its rightful
place on the shelf next to its kin.

Curiously, the “Preface” to the first edition was reproduced in this new volume, thereby giving new life
to the “inside job” theory of authorship. You may well imagine my chagrin at finding myself quoted on
the back cover. “Read the castle tales and enjoy!”, indeed.

But what is absolutely mystifying … there are no words to express the emotion … is that this very
“Foreword” appeared as well — paradoxically so, for I had not even begun to write it!

Yet here it is, written in an uncanny imitation of my own style, complete with expressions of my
astonishment at finding it.

I will not begin an attempt at explanation. The librarian proposes, the library disposes!

Read on.

— Osmirik, Ryl. Scrb. & Lbrn.

Why the vaguely Yiddish usage? Incidentally, even this footnote appears in the original.


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