The Fortunes of Brak

The Fortunes of Brak is a collection of five fantasy short stories featuring Brak the Barbarian, written by American author John Jakes. The stories were originally published separately in various fantasy magazines between 1963 and 1977, before being compiled into this collection by Dell Books in 1980. Each tale follows Brak's adventures through a savage fantasy world filled with sorcerers, monsters, and dark magic. The collection includes "Devils in the Walls," "Ghoul's Garden," "The Girl in the Gem," "Brak in Chains," and "The Mirror of Wizardry," presenting different challenges and supernatural encounters for the barbarian warrior. The stories expand the world established in previous Brak novels, maintaining the sword and sorcery traditions popularized by Robert E. Howard's Conan series. The adventures stand alone but contribute to the larger narrative of Brak's journey southward toward his ultimate destination. The collection explores themes of survival, power, and the eternal struggle between barbarism and civilization, all while operating within the classical sword and sorcery framework.

Readers describe this as a typical sword-and-sorcery adventure with familiar genre tropes. Most commend it for entertainment value while noting it doesn't break new ground. Readers appreciate: - Fast-paced action sequences - Clear, straightforward writing style - Character of Brak as a barbarian hero - Mythological elements and worldbuilding Common criticisms: - Formulaic plot structure - Underdeveloped side characters - Too similar to Conan stories - Dated writing style Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (based on 47 ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (based on 8 reviews) One reader noted: "Decent pulp fantasy but lacks originality - reads like a Conan knockoff." Another mentioned: "Fun quick read but nothing memorable." Multiple reviews highlight that while the book entertains, it follows expected genre conventions without innovation. Reviews frequently compare it to other 1960s sword-and-sorcery fiction, positioning it as an average example of the genre.

Elric of Melniboné by Michael Moorcock The tale of an albino sorcerer-prince who wields a soul-drinking sword follows the same sword-and-sorcery traditions with a darker edge.

Swords and Deviltry by Fritz Leiber The origin story of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser introduces two heroes who traverse a fantasy world filled with magic and adventure.

Conan the Barbarian by Robert E. Howard This collection of stories presents a bronze-age warrior who battles sorcerers and monsters across prehistoric kingdoms.

The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks A quest narrative follows a young hero who must wield a magical sword to defeat an evil warlock threatening the Four Lands.

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan A shepherd discovers his destiny as a powerful channeler in a world where magic exists but is feared and controlled.

🗡️ The character of Brak was heavily inspired by Robert E. Howard's Conan the Barbarian, though Jakes gave his hero distinctive yellow hair and a more noble personality. 📚 Before becoming known for historical fiction like "North and South," John Jakes wrote extensively for the pulp magazine market, with Brak stories appearing in magazines like "Fantastic Stories." 🌟 The original Brak stories gained such popularity that they influenced the growing sword and sorcery genre during the 1960s fantasy boom, alongside works by Fritz Leiber and Michael Moorcock. 🎨 The cover art for various Brak publications was created by notable fantasy artists including Frank Frazetta, helping establish the visual aesthetic for the sword and sorcery genre. 📖 Unlike many of his contemporaries, Jakes structured Brak's adventures as an ongoing quest toward a specific destination (the city of Khurdisan in the South), giving the series a unique sense of direction and purpose.