Kane – The Undertow – Karl Edward Wagner

Kane – The Undertow – Karl Edward Wagner

Karl Edward Wagner’s undertow begins in a morgue, as Kane seeks out a body. What follows is a cycle of fear, loss, and lust.

Dessylyn is trying to flee Kane, and crashes into a young pirate / mercenary / barbarian. His jealous rage brings sorcerous and demonic forces upon them both, and Dessylyn is retrieved for Kane to feed her a magical potion. 

Repeatedly this happens, until at last Dessylyn manages to slip away.

Horror: This is ultimately a story of abuse. Of a man so obsessed with his lust he will do anything to keep the object of his desire with him. Damn to the consequences to her and those around her. The undertow of his actions. KEW is clearly keeping on the proud CAS tradition of necrophilia. 6/10

Embodiedness: This story follows Dessylyn closely, and while it is third person, we do get glimpses into her stream of consciousness, and the narrative follows her feelings, her fears, and her pleasures. Even if we as readers must endure KEW’s need to call breasts “cones”. This is a story about lust and aesthetics, and it is filtered through Dessylyn’s perceptions very well, for while the city is in the background, its gothic trappings are clear through her reactions to it. 8/10

Weirdness: We have magic, necromancy, demonic summoning, alchemical potions, and inhuman strength. Kane is otherworldly and treats with those from other worlds. Magic is not just a few words, but bargains and pacts with entities beyond understanding. 7/10

Narrative Complexity: While on a first read this could be seen as a linear narrative, it becomes clear that the scenes with Mavrsal are actually the last of a number of repeating loops as Dessylyn repeatedly tries to flee from Kane’s grasp. Kane’s own accusations that she is after Mavrsal’s magical sword and that she is not the innocent she claims only muddies the water. 7/10

HEWN: Overall, this story scores medium-high on all of my categories and was a really enjoyable read. Emotionally centred, yet with fast action when it happens. It revelled in its own anticipation. 28/40.