If you saw my post last year, I observed Black Friday by looking at a number stories by Robert E. Howard that contained the word “black” in the title.

If you are unaware of what Black Friday is, I envy you here’s the scoop. Because our consumer driven economy is totally whacked, we have to make our year’s profit in about a month. (I’m a hardcore free-market capitalist, but give me a break.) So anyone not living in a cave or under a rock (Is there room under there for me?) will find themselves bombarded with advertising, sales, and spam. Pohl and Kornbluth’s The Space Merchants nailed it.

In order to provide relief from the insanity last year, I looked at Howard. This year, in the interest of gender equity, it’s the ladies’ turn.  Last year I had enough time to read all the stories I listed. This year I was a little pressed for time, so I’m providing links to previous reviews.

“Black God’s Kiss” by C. L. Moore.  This is the first story in Moore’s Jirel of Joiry series. It’s full of weird imagery and is a rightful classic of sword and sorcery. Jirel, the gorgeous redheaded lady of Castle Joiry enters a strange land to seek the means of defeating Guilluame, the man who has successfully overrun her castle.

“Black God’s Shadow” by C. L. Moore.  The second in the series and a direct sequel to “Black God’s Kiss”, Jirel regrets how she defeated Guilluame in the previous story and seeks to free him from eternal torment.

“Black Thirst” by C. L. Moore. This story is the second in the Northwest Smith series.  In this one Smith still hasn’t learned his lesson about getting involved with beautiful women in trouble.

“Black Amazon of Mars” by Leigh Brackett.  This is probably one of my favorite Brackett tales. Here Eric John Stark fights bandits, saves a city, and loves two women. This is one of Brackett’s best works. Worth the read.

So if you’re trying to escape the madness of the season, these ladies have what you need.