Showing results by author "Fritz Leiber" in All Categories

A classic tale featuring two of the most-memorable characters in sword and sorcery, Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser. Over a span of 50 years, the late Fritz Leiber wrote dozens of adventures, set in the fictional city of Lankhmar, featuring the seven-foot-tall barbarian and the diminuitive thief. The stories were recognized with both the Hugo and Nebula Awards.

In a post-apocalyptic world, a fearful husband wants to remain inside, while his wife yearns to see the world outside. Based on a story by Fritz Leiber, this episode of X Minus One originally aired on January 2, 1957.

Dive into the imaginative worlds of Fritz Leiber with three of his most beloved science fiction short stories The Moon is Green, Bread Overhead, and Whats He Doing In There?! With his signature blend of humor and wit, Leiber masterfully explores how humanity navigates the quirks of the future—often with hilarious consequences. Join us for a delightful journey through the absurdities and triumphs of human adaptation. - Summary by Phil Chenevert

I was a hundred miles from Nowhere‚Aîliterally‚Aîwhen I caught sight of her out of the corner of my eye. With the haunting remnants of a murder party still fresh in my mind, I was on high alert for the last undead menace lurking in this desolate world. In this post-apocalyptic wasteland, survival demands strength and an unwavering resolve to kill. Among the few who remain, the thrill of hunting down another Deathlander is a primal urge that drives the solitary wanderers. But this time, it was different‚Aîshe was a girl, igniting not only my instinct to kill but also the burning desire...

Step into the world of a traveling troupe of Shakespearean performers‚Aîseemingly harmless, yet shrouded in mystery. Why do they have costumes for spacemen alongside cavemen? What secrets lie behind the amnesia and agoraphobia of their backstage manager? While no great magic is required for their theatrical performances, sometimes it takes extraordinary science to weave their stories. Journey with them through time and space, where the stage knows no bounds. (Summary by Phil Chenevert)

Dive into four delightfully quirky short stories by the brilliant Fritz Leiber, including Nice Girl with 5 Husbands, A Pail of Air, The Last Letter, and A Bad Day for Sales. Each tale is uniquely engaging and filled with Leibers signature wit and imagination. Enjoy a captivating listening experience narrated by Phil Chenevert.

Dive into the captivating world of Fritz Leibers Green Millennium, where we meet Phil Gish, a man trapped in a bleak existence. Disillusioned and lacking purpose, Phil is consumed by the fear of becoming obsolete in a world increasingly dominated by robots. With his timid nature, he shies away from adventure‚Aîuntil a remarkable green cat appears at his window. Named Lucky, this extraordinary feline brings a glimmer of hope and happiness into Phils dreary life. However, Lucky soon vanishes into the fantastical realm of All Amusements, a playground filled with bizarre characters and ...

Join us for three captivating tales from the legendary Fritz Leiber, all originally published in Galaxy Magazine. In Kreativity for Kats (1961), discover the intriguing lives of aliens living among us. The Last Letter from Galaxy (1958) reveals the chaos caused by a handwritten letter that disrupts the postal service. Finally, The Big Engine (1962) explores the essence of what drives our world‚Aîcould this mans insights be spot on? Each story is unique and guaranteed to entertain. - Summary by Phil Chenevert

Thorn and Clawly are on a mission to present alarming discoveries to the World Executive Committee. Their findings suggest that we may not be alone in the vast nexus of realities; other worlds could exist in parallel to our own, branching off from a single moment in time. While this revelation alone might not seem dire, the real concern arises when considering the possibility that one of these worlds harbors ambitions of invading our utopian reality. What could such a conflict mean for our existence? (Summary by Ben Tucker)

In a future shaped by the escalating tensions of the Cold War, society has retreated underground to escape the relentless threat of atomic and ionic bombs, living in a world free from the prying eyes of satellites. While most embrace this subterranean life, Gusterson stands out as a quirky oddball, choosing to remain topside. His creativity becomes a valuable resource for the less imaginative moles below, who eagerly seek his innovative ideas. However, one of his concepts, despite his dire warnings, spirals into a horrifying reality, manifesting as the terrifying TICKLER‚Aîa creature that ...

Dive into the bizarre and imaginative world of Fritz Leiber with these three uniquely strange stories. These tales are not your typical science fiction; they are odd, unsettling, and yet utterly captivating. Leibers remarkable creativity will challenge your perception and stretch your imagination in delightful ways. Join me as we explore the wonderfully weird realms of his mind. - Summary by phil chenevert

Step into a world where a machine, adorned with blinking lights and the scent of ozone, enters the prestigious Grand Master chess tournament. This early computer faces off against some of the greatest human minds, challenging the notion of genius with its formidable calculating power. But don‚At be fooled‚Aîthe machine is not infallible. It can be deceived, make errors, and most intriguingly, it can learn! Join us on this thrilling journey through the intersection of technology and human intellect. (summary by phil c and the publisher)

In a future America gripped by fear, scarcity, and suspicion, science is no longer celebrated, distrusted, even outlawed. Superstition and political control have replaced logic and invention. But a small, determined group believes science is the only path forward.

Jack Barr wanted peace, so he sailed to the farthest island he could find. What he discovered was a house frozen in time, and a girl who believed it was still 1933. Radios, newspapers, and memories all confirmed her world. But Jack knew it was 1953.

From Fritz Leiber'ss humorous "What's He Doing in There?” where Earth's first Martian visitor causes a cultural stir over the most basic of human rituals—to stories of robots, post-apocalyptic futures, mind-bending technology, and mysterious islands, these stories blend sharp social satire with timeless sci-fi adventure.

In Bullet with His Name, two extraterrestrial beings arrive on Earth bearing gifts for a human man, but their intentions are far from benevolent. This encounter is a test, with the fate of humanity resting on how he responds to their offerings. One of the aliens intriguingly describes himself as a sort of snake, hinting at the cunning nature of their gifts. While they may not include a fabled apple from the Tree of Knowledge, the consequences of accepting them could lead mankind down a treacherous path. - Summary by Paul Hampton

Step into the fantastical world of Fritz Leiber's "Bazaar of the Bizarre," a captivating audiobook narrated by the talented Mike Vendetti. In this tale, we follow The Gray Mouser as he stumbles upon a peculiar shop created by The Devourers, enigmatic beings with the power to make trash appear as treasure through their mesmerizing abilities.

Lean Times in Lankhmar, a gripping novella by Fritz Leiber Jr, follows the divergent paths of Faford and the Gray Mouser in the city of Lankhmar. The Gray Mouser becomes a Lieutenant for the city's top extortioner, dealing with the various religious sects on the Street of the Gods. Meanwhile, Fairford becomes an acolyte for the dottering apostle of the god, Issac of the Jug, setting the stage for a clash of interests between our two heroes. As the Issac of the Jug religion gains popularity and wealth, the Mouser is tasked with extracting funds from Fairford's mentor.

Journey into the treacherous world of Lankhmar alongside the fearless duo of Fafhrd the Barbarian and the Gray Mouser in Fritz Leiber Jr.'s novelette, "Thieves' House." Originally published in the pulp magazine Unknown Worlds in 1943, this gripping tale follows our protagonists as they navigate the dangerous headquarters of the Guild of Thieves and Murderers, as well as underground catacombs filled with intrigue and peril. It's not the human adversaries that terrify them—it's the supposedly long-dead beings lurking in the shadows.

Mr. Leiber's short story "Game for Motel Room" narrated as an audiobook by Mike Vendetti takes us on a fantasy adventure where a mortal man is taken to a motel by an out-of-this-world woman.