Gather, Darkness!

by Fritz Leiber

Book Overview

Assembled here is a selection of Mr. Leiber's best horrific tales, many of which have been virtually unobtainable for decades. From the riveting "Spider Mansion" and "The Phantom Slayer" from Weird... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345245857
• Release Date: April 1975
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Excellent, ancient classic

I'm pretty sure George Lucas read this one as a kid. This book elegantly portrays how a government can control the masses via religious emotions and fear. The chaos unveiled once the curtains are down, exposing the influential special effects, is quite stunning. The resulting revolt is dramatic. Originally published in a serialized format in the 40s, you can read chunks at a time and still follow it...if that's suitable to your lifestyle. The story stands the test of time well. Who are the real bad guys? A highly recommended, enjoyable read.

Lieber at his very best

Imagine a world where the church ran everything. Sound good? Well, it's not. Just like in the middle ages, this church rules with an iron hand. Since God must be with the church, then opposition to the church is considered witchcraft, and it seemingly comes from Satan. A wonderful view of the negative possibilities should one single religion ever really take over the world. Lieber is a master writer, and this is one of his very best novels.

The Witchcraft was far more than it seemed....

After the Great War that ended the first Atomic Age the Priesthood rebuilt the world. But the priests of the Hierarchy weren't really priests, at least not in the old timeless sense. In fact, the first thing a young initiate was taught was that the Great God did not exist- it was just a false idol and technological trick used to control the commoners. For the priests were really composed of all the privileged classes of the old age- the scientists, engineers, managers, doctors, and psychologists. They had banded together to rule the world by fear and superstition. They used the technology that they controlled to force and frighten the common people into serfdom and slavery. Indeed, they had used the Dark Ages as their inspiration and pattern in social organization, costumes, architecture- they even allowed witches to exist and operate as a means to help terrorize the masses. Unfortunately for the priests of the Hierarchy, the Witchcraft was far more than it seemed....It is absolutely incredible that this tight little novel was written in 1943. Just the use of the term "Atomic Age" two years before Hiroshima is remarkable. Then combine that with the fact that Leiber accurately describes atomic power, genetic engineering, cloning, holograms, scientific brainwashing, psychological warfare, and mutually impenetrable force beams that sound exactly like light sabers. This novel was far ahead of its time and holds up as a gripping read even today. In fact, the oppressive elitism that it describes is more plausible today than it would have been in the freer decade of the 40's.

Leiber's Classic Dystopia of Religion Versus Witchcraft

"Gather, Darkness" was one of two dystopian novels written by Fritz Leiber (The other was "A Specter Is Haunting Texas".). Without question this splendid little novel still remains one of his most impressive literary achievements. It is also one of the best conceived, best written novels of a dismal future for humanity. Three hundred years after a nuclear holocaust, humanity is ruled by a secretive religious brotherhood, the Hierarchy of the Great God, which uses science as the supernatural means of ensuring its control over an impoverished, predominantly illiterate population. Opposing this brotherhood is a secret society of witches, the followers of Sathanas, seeking to use science to overthrow the brotherhood's tyrannical theocracy. A young Hierarchy priest, Brother Armon Jarles, skeptical of his beliefs and the Hierarchy's orthodoxy, soon finds himself caught in the bitter struggle between both groups. A struggle that is meant to gather darkness against the Hierarchy's grip on power.

Imaginative rendering of man versus technology.

Over thirty years ago this novel grabbed me with its themes of technology, politics, and religion. Naturally, over the years it has lost its initial impact on my imagination, but retains interest with a fascinating and imaginative description of a world struggling with issues of political and religious freedom. Sci-fi/fantasy fans will enjoy the intermingling of supernatural and technological phenomena.