Nine Threads of Gold

~ A Novelette by Andre Norton

nine threads of gold 1992

 

Synopsis ~

The world has been conquered by demons, yet a seeker named Lethe, one of the Old Ones travels to a keep hidden in the mountains. There she finds nine children who come from different backgrounds, yet their futures will soon be woven together.

 

Write-up of a fan ~

One of the Old Ones comes to a ruined keep, striving to find a way to correct the wrongs done by wars and battles throughout the land.  What she finds is nine children, ranging in age from a boy almost old enough to become a squire, to a toddler.  All the children have seen much of the horrors of the war.  She assists them to turn the keep into a home, and takes some of the old hangings, and mends them with strands of the children's hair.  Later, a Company came riding out of the north (where the keep had been) to clear the barbarians and their Dark worship from the land. It is implied that the Company is composed of the children and/or their descendants. ~ SL


Bibliography of English Editions ~

  • After the King (1992) Edited by Martin H. Greenberg, Published by TOR, HC, 0-312-85175-8, $22.95, 438pg ~ cover by Keith Parkinson

Contains:
    vii • Introduction (After the King: Stories in Honor of J. R. R. Tolkien) • (1992) • essay by Jane Yolen
    1 • Reave the Just • (1992) • novelette by Stephen R. Donaldson
    34 • Troll Bridge • [Discworld] • (1992) • short story by Terry Pratchett
    46 • A Long Night's Vigil at the Temple • (1992) • novelette by Robert Silverberg
    71 • The Dragon of Tollin • (1992) • short story by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
    96 • Faith • (1992) • novelette by Poul Anderson and Karen Anderson
    106 • In the Season of the Dressing of the Wells • (1992) • novella by John Brunner
    151 • The Fellowship of the Dragon • (1992) • novelette by Patricia A. McKillip
    172 • The Decoy Duck • (1992) • novelette by Harry Turtledove
    198 • Nine Threads of Gold • (1992) • novelette by Andre Norton
    224 • The Conjure Man • [Newford] • (1992) • short story by Charles de Lint
    242 • The Halfling House • (1992) • novelette by Dennis L. McKiernan
    271 • Silver or Gold • (1992) • novelette by Emma Bull
    307 • Up the Side of the Air • (1992) • novelette by Karen Haber
    327 • The Naga • (1992) • short story by Peter S. Beagle
    337 • Revolt of the Sugar Plum Fairies • (1992) • short story by Mike Resnick
    348 • Winter's King • (1992) • short story by Jane Yolen
    353 • Götterdämmerung • (1992) • short story by Barry N. Malzberg
    359 • Down the River Road • (1992) • novella by Gregory Benford
    404 • Death and the Lady • (1992) • novelette by Judith Tarr

 

  • After the King (1992) Edited by Martin H. Greenberg, Published by PAN, HC, 0-330-32027-0, £15.99, 534pg ~ UK printing ~ cover by Julek Heller
  • After the King (1992) Edited by Martin H. Greenberg, Published by PAN, TP, 0-330-32650-3, £6.99, 525pg ~ UK printing ~ cover by Julek Heller
  • After the King (1993) Edited by Martin H. Greenberg, Published by TOR, TP, 0-312-85353-X, $12.95, 438pg ~ cover by Keith Parkinson - reprinted in 2001 & 2012
  • After the King (1994) Edited by Martin H. Greenberg, Published by TOR, PB, 0-812-51443-2, $5.99, 501pg ~ cover by Keith Parkinson

 

Non-English Editions ~

  • As Negen gouden draden [Nine golden threads] (1992) Published in Amsterdam; by De Boekerij, HC, 978-90-225-1349-1, 431pg ~ translation by Jan Smit, cover by Keith Parkinson ~ Danish book title In de schaduw van de meester: Een eerbetoon aan J. R. R. Tolkien [In the shadow of the master: A tribute to J. R. R. Tolkien]
  • As Neun goldene Fäden [Nine golden threads] (1997) Published in Cologne, Germany: by Bastei Lübbe, PB, 978-3-404-13803-6, DM15.00, 638pg ~ cover by Michael Whelan ~ German book title Die Erben des Rings: J. R. R. Tolkien zu Ehren [Heirs to the Ring: Honoring J.R.R. Tolkien] (pg. 287) Reprinted in 1999
  • As Nove fili d'oro [Nine threads of gold] (1993) Published in Italy; by Interno Giallo / Mondadori, HC, 978-88-04-37255-4, 30,000 lir, 502pg ~ cover by Tim Hildebrandt ~ Italian book title Sulle orme del Re [In the footsteps of the King] (pg. 231)
  • As Nove fili d'oro [Nine threads of gold] (1995) Published in Milan, Italy; by Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, TP, # 79, 9,000 lir, 502pg ~ Italian book title Sulle orme del Re [In the footsteps of the King] (pg. 231)
  • (1999) "After the King" Published in Poland; by Zysk i S-ka, 83-715-0612-0, PB, 566pg ~ translation by Michael Jakuszewski ~ Polish title W hołdzie królowi [In tribute to the King]
  • (2008) "After the King" Published in Poland; by Zysk i S-ka,978-83-7506-206-9, PB, 612pg ~ translation by Michael Jakuszewski ~ Polish title W hołdzie królowi [In tribute to the King]

 

Russian Omnibus Editions ~

  • (2004) Published in Moscow, By AST and St. Petersburg, by Domino, 5-699-08067-8, HC, 704pg ~ cover by John Howe ~ Russian title Дорога Короля. Памяти профессора Дж. Р. Р. Толкина [Road King: In Memory of Professor J. R. R. Tolkien] ~ Duplication of "After the King" (1992) ~ As "Nine Golden Threads" translation by I. Togoyeva, pp. 325-366

 

Ukrainian Omnibus Editions ~

  • (2018) Published in Kyiv, Ukraine by Globe (Fanzine), no ISSBN, HC, 724pg ~ cover by Rodney Matthews ~ Ukrainian title …Все кошки серы [...All Cats Are Sulfur] ~ Limited to 10 copies

Contains:

    • "Moustrap" as "The Mousetrap" ~ translation by L. Deutsch, pp. 7-13
    • "All Cats are Gray" as "... All cats are sulfur" ~ translation by E. Drozd, pp. 14-21
    • " Gifts of Asti" as ~ translation by N. Rezanova, pp. 22-34
    • "Nine Threads of Gold" as "Nine Golden Threads" ~ translation by I. Togoyeva, pp. 35-65
    • "Long Night of Waiting" ~ translation by L. Deutsch, pp. 66-77
    • "London Bridge" ~ translation by N. Rezanova, pp. 78-90
    • "Velvet Shadows" ~ translation by N. Rezanova, pp. 91-282
    • "The Prince Commands" as "The Prince orders" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 283-416
    • "Star Man's Son" as "The Son of Star Man" ~ translation by V. Fedorov, pp. 417-574
    • "Ralestone Luck" ~ "Luck of the Railstones" ~ translation by V. Shcherbakova, pp. 575-722

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