The appendix is titled 'Some Informal Remarks Towards the Modular Calculus, Part Three,' indicating its place as the third entry in another series of Delany's which starts with Trouble on Triton, a science fiction novel that is also (thematically at least, though maybe also through some bending of space and time I have not read that work so I couldn't say for sure) a preface to the Nevèrÿon tales. Kermit respectively, but it is fairly clear that these people are characters in the metafictional work, as is Delany himself. The preface and the appendix profess to be authored by a K. It consists of five stories of varying lengths, a preface, and an appendix. Tales of Nevèrÿon contains the first five of the eleven stories, novellas, and novels of the series and is the first volume of Delany's rich and provocative Return to Nevèrÿon.

Among its high points is an astonishing feminist creation myth, narrated by Raven, a masked swordswoman from a matriarchy beyond Nevèrÿon. An American Book Award nominee in 1979, Tales of Nevèrÿon's five interlocked stories recount Gorgik's youth, tale-teller Norema's childhood, and the capture of the barbarian Small Sarg, who becomes Gorgik's lover. In this chronicle of a long-ago land on civilization's brink, possibly in Africa or Asia, young Gorgik is taken slave in childhood, gains his freedom, and goes on to foment a slave revolt.

Challenge Information: Fantasy Challenge category 'Non-Caucasian Author'

Tales of Nevèrÿon by Samuel R. Delany