'John the Balladeer' in the 'Silver John' series by Manly Wade Wellman is a collection of short stories and novels that revolve around a fictional Appalachian folk hero named Silver John. Set in the Appalachian mountains, the stories are steeped in Appalachian folklore and music, with the protagonist using his silver-stringed guitar and hymns to battle evil creatures and supernatural forces. The tales are described as atmospheric, simple, and wonderful, evoking a sense of setting, culture, and Americana. is praised for its quick reads, light-hearted folk horror, and the way it establishes a strong sense of place and time.

Characters:

The characters range from the main protagonist, John, a heroic bard, to various supernatural beings and culturally rich locals.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is rich and evokes classic folklore while remaining highly readable, filled with local dialect.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around a nomadic bard, John, who navigates supernatural challenges using music, rooted in Appalachian folklore.

Setting:

The setting is richly established in the Appalachian Mountains, reflecting rural American folklore and early to mid-20th century life.

Pacing:

The pacing is well-balanced, alternating between action-packed and atmospheric storytelling.

I swear I'm licked before I start, trying to tell you all what Mr. Onselm looked like. Words give out—for instance, you're frozen to death for fit words to tell the favor of the girl you love. And Mr....

Notes:

The stories of John the Balladeer, also known as Silver John, focus on a nomadic musician in the Appalachian region.

John the Balladeer uses a silver-stringed guitar and folk songs to combat supernatural evil.

The stories are steeped in Appalachian folklore, often involving dark creatures and witchcraft.

Manly Wade Wellman, the author, was friends with a noted folk musician whom he included as a character in his stories.

The collection includes all Silver John stories, excluding full-length novels.

The tales evoke a strong sense of Americana, similar to European fairy tales and folk legends.

The language of these stories mirrors local Appalachian dialect, making them rich yet accessible.

They were originally published in the mid-20th century and have been recently reprinted by Valancourt Books.

The stories have inspired elements in modern fantasy role-playing games, particularly the Bard class in Dungeons & Dragons.

Wellman's writing is noted for its simplicity and clarity, emphasizing the struggle between good and evil.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Medium content warnings for themes involving dark magic and supernatural threats.

From The Publisher:

Silver John wanders North Carolina's mountains with his silver-strung guitar in a land and time where the supernatural-from George Washington's ghost to something evil dwelling in a deserted mine-is never far away

Reader Stats (6):

Want To Read (5)
Not Interested (1)

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John the Balladeer

David Drake, Karl Edward Wagner, Manly Wade Wellman

Book 1 in the series:Silver John

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From The Publisher:

Reader Stats (6):

What can you read after John the Balladeer?

David Drake,
Karl Edward Wagner,
Manly Wade Wellman

What can you read after
John the Balladeer?