The Toads of Grimmerdale

~ A Novella in the Witch World Saga by Andre Norton

~Prequel to Changeling

toads of grimmerdale 1973

 

Synopsis ~

Hertha was a Lady of the Dales who was raped by a man of the Dales who had saved her from the Hounds. When she learned that she was pregnant, her family wanted her to lose the child. Hertha refused and went to the Shrine of Gunnora to ask for two things: that the child she bears, have no other heritage but her own and that the father of the child be brought to an accounting. Gunnora granted her first request but not the second. So, Hertha goes to Grimmerdale to ask the Toads. But can she live with the Toads' price?

 

Write-up from a fan ~

During the war with Alizon, Hertha's family sent her off to a safe haven. However, on her way there, she was captured by a party of the Alizonders. Rescue came from the Dales forces, but one of her "rescuers" raped her. Now she is pregnant, and her brother has exiled her from the Hold because she would not submit to an abortion. She seeks out Gunnora's Shrine to revenge herself. Gunnora grants the first request but will have no part of revenge. So Hartha seeks out a Place of the Dark -- The Toads of Grimmerdale. They give her the means to get revenge through a stone to place in her rapist's bed which will bring him to the Toads' site. However, Hertha cannot stand by and watch any man be taken by the toads, so she steps in to rescue him. ~ SL

 

Bibliography of English Editions ~

  • Flashing Swords! # 2 (1973) Edited by Lin Carter, Published by Nelson Doubleday/SFBC, HC, # 5859, $1.49, 200pg ~ cover by Frank Frazetta

Contains:
    ix • Flashing Swords and Black Magicians • essay by Lin Carter
    3 • The Rug and the Bull • [Pusadian] • novelette by L. Sprague de Camp
    45 • The Jade Man's Eyes • [The Elric Saga] • novelette by Michael Moorcock
    99 • Toads of Grimmerdale • [Witch World Secrets] • novella by Andre Norton
    157 • Ghoul's Garden • [Brak] • novelette by John Jakes

 

  • Flashing Swords! # 2 (1974) Edited by Lin Carter, Published by Dell, PB, # 3123, $0.95, 268pg ~ cover by Frank Frazetta
  • Flashing Swords! # 2 (1974) Edited by Lin Carter, Published by Mayflower, PB, 0-583-12419-4, 40p, ~ UK printing ~ cover by Bruce Pennington
  • The Book of Andre Norton (1975) Edited by Rodger Elwood, Published by DAW, PB, 0-451-UY119-8, $1.25, 221pg ~ cover by Jack Gaughan
  • Lore of the Witch World (1980) Published by DAW, PB, 0-879-97560-1, $1.95, 223pg ~ cover by Michael Whelan (Re-released in 2012)
  • Spells: Isaac Asimov's Magical Worlds of Fantasy # 4 (1985) Edited by Isaac Asimov, Martin H. Greenberg & Charles G. Waugh, Published by Signet, PB, 0-451-13578-4, $3.95, 350pg ~ cover by Kinuko Craft

Contains:
    7 • Curses! • (1985) • essay by Isaac Asimov
    10 • The Candidate • (1961) • short story by Henry Slesar
    18 • The Christmas Shadrach • (1891) • short story by Frank R. Stockton
    37 • The Snow Women • [Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser] • (1970) • novella by Fritz Leiber
    106 • Invisible Boy • (1945) • short story by Ray Bradbury
    116 • The Hero Who Returned • (1979) • novelette by Gerald W. Page
    140 • Toads of Grimmerdale • [Witch World Secrets] • (1973) • novella by Andre Norton
    188 • A Literary Death • (1985) • short story by Martin H. Greenberg
    191 • Satan and Sam Shay • (1942) • short story by Robert Arthur
    206 • Lot No. 249 • (1892) • novelette by Arthur Conan Doyle
    239 • The Witch Is Dead • [Simon Ark • 3] • (1956) • short story by Edward D. Hoch
    259 • I Know What You Need • (1976) • novelette by Stephen King
    282 • The Miracle-Workers • (1958) • novella by Jack Vance

 

  • Spells (1988) Edited by Isaac Asimov, Martin H. Greenberg & Charles G. Waugh, Published by Robinson, TP, 0-451-13578-4, £3.50, 350pg ~ UK printing ~ cover by unknown - contents same as above
  • Barbarians II (1988) Edited by Robert Adams, Martin H. Greenberg & Charles G. Waugh, Published by NAL Signet, PB, 0-451-15198-4 ~ cover by unknown

Contains:
    ix • Introduction (Barbarians II) • essay by Robert Adams
    13 • The Toads of Grimmerdale • [Witch World Secrets] • (1973) • novella by Andre Norton
    64 • Maureen Birnbaum at the Earth's Core • [Maureen Birnbaum] • (1986) • short story by George Alec Effinger
    82 • Trapped in the Shadowland • [Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser] • (1973) • short story by Fritz Leiber
    89 • The Blacksmith • (1981) • short story by Raul Garcia Capella
    104 • Demon of the Snows • (1980) • short story by Lin Carter
    120 • The Dark Mother • [Shanna of Sharteyn] • (1979) • short story by Diana L. Paxson
    134 • Misericorde • [Kane] • (1983) • novelette by Karl Edward Wagner
    159 • The Warrior Race • (1940) • short story by L. Sprague de Camp
    177 • Fredeya • novella by Charles L. Fontenay
    225 • A Logical Conclusion • (1960) • novelette by Poul Anderson (variant of A World to Choose)
    249 • The Winged Helmet • [Berserker] • (1967) • novella by Fred Saberhagen
    312 • The Changer of Names • [Ryre] • (1977) • novelette by Ramsey Campbell
    330 • The Valley of the Worm • [James Allison] • (1934) • novelette by Robert E. Howard
    352 • The Ghastly Pond • (1983) • short story by Jessica Amanda Salmonson

 

  • Grand Masters' Choice (1989) Published by NESFA Press, HC, 0-915-36842-0, $15.00, 221pg ~ cover by Bob Eggleton
  • Wizards’ Worlds (1989) Edited by Ingrid Zierhut, Published by TOR, HC, 0-312-93191-3, $17.95, 500pg ~ cover by Lucy Synk (Re-released in 2012)

 

Non-English Editions ~

  • (1975) Published in Rastatt, Germany, by Pabel, Terra Fantasy 15, no ISBN, PB, DM2.80, 145pg ~ translation by Lore Straßl ~ cover by Alberto Pujolar ~ German title Kämpfer wider den Tod [Fighters against death] (pg. 84) ~ reprinted in 1978
  • (1989) Published in Koln, Germany, by Bastei Lubbe, 3-404-28173-X, PB, 636pg ~ German title Sagenwelt der Fantasy Die schönsten Geschichten [Legendary World of Fantasy The most beautiful stories] ~ collection of 19 short stories by multiple authors.

 

Russian Omnibus Editions ~

  • (1992)-1 Published in Moscow by Fairy, 5-867-40009-3, HC, 426pg ~ "Witch World" translation by R.J. Sokolov ~ cover by N. Ivanova , N. Lyubeshkina ~ Russian title Ведьмы из Эсткарпа [Witches from Estcarp]

Contains:

    • From the publisher, pp. 5-6
    • "Witch World" as "Witches from Estcarp" ~ translation by Yu. Sokolov, pp. 7-222
    • "Dragon Scale Silver" as "Dragon bowl" ~ translation by Yu. Sokolov, pp. 223-293
    • "Dream Smith" as "The Smith of Visions" ~ translation by Yu. Sokolov, pp. 294-313
    • "Amber Out of Quayth" as "Amber from Quays" ~ translation by Yu. Sokolov, pp. 314-368
    • "The Toads of Grimmerdale" as "Frogs of the Balefoot" ~ translation by K. Korolyov, pp. 369-424
    • Sources, p. 425

 

  • (1992)-2 Published in Moscow by Fairy, 5-867-40017-4, HC, 382pg~ "Witch World" translation by R.J. Sokolov ~ cover by N. Zubkov ~ Russian title Ведьмы из Эсткарпа [Witches from Estcarp]

Contains:

    • From the publisher, pp. 5-6
    • "Witch World" as "Witches from Estcarp" ~ translation by Yu. Sokolov, pp. 7-200
    • "Dragon Scale Silver" as "Dragon bowl" ~ translation by Yu. Sokolov, pp. 201-264
    • "Dream Smith" as "The Smith of Visions" ~ translation by Yu. Sokolov, pp. 265-282
    • "Amber Out of Quayth" as "Amber from Quays" ~ translation by Yu. Sokolov, pp. 283-330
    • "The Toads of Grimmerdale" as "Frogs of the Balefoot" ~ translation by K. Korolyov, pp. 331-380

 

  • (1992)-3 Published in Nizhny Novgorod, by Phlox, 5-871-98016-3, HC, 416pg ~ "Year of the Unicorn" translation by T. Pronina ~ cover by V. Vasiliev ~ Russian title Год Единорога [Year of the Unicorn]

Contains:

    • Natalia Rezanova. Roads of the Witching World (foreword), pp. 3-4
    • "The Crystal Gryphon" as "Crystal Griffin" ~ translation by T. Pronina, pp. 5-156
    • "Dragon Scale Silver" as "Dragon in silver scales" ~ translation by V. Chernykh, pp. 157-210
    • "The Toads of Grimmerdale" as "Grimmerdale Toads" ~ translation by T. Pronina, pp. 211-248
    • "Year of the Unicorn" as "The Year of the Unicorn" ~ translation by T. Pronina & G. Ivlenkova, pp. 249-354
    • "Amber Out of Quayth" as "Amber Hale" ~translation by T. Pronina, pp. 355-400
    • "Falcon Blood" as "Blood of the Falcon" ~ translation by L. Deutsch, pp. 401-415

 

  • (1993) Published in Moscow, by Artlik, 5-855-98012-X, HC 416pg ~ cover by N. Rosenthal ~ Russian title Год Единорога [Year of the Unicorn] ~ The collection "Enchantments of the witching world" was published without breaking down into individual stories.

Contains:

    • "Year of the Unicorn" ~ pp. 3-118
    • "The Crystal Gryphon" as "Crystal with a Griffin" ~ pp. 119-270
    • "Spell of the Witch World" as "Enchantment of the Witching World" (collection), pp. 271-378
      • "Dragon Scale Silver" as "Dragon bowl" ~ pp. 271-324
      • "Dream Smith" as "The blacksmith of visions" ~ pp. 324-337
      • "Amber Out of Quayth" as "Amber from Quait" ~ pp. 337-378
    • "The Toads of Grimmerdale" as "Grimmerdale Toads" ~ pp. 379-416

 

  • (1994) Published in Moscow, by Sigma Press and in Zelenograd by Zelenograd, 5-863-14029-1, HC, 448pg ~ cover by D. Avvakumov ~ Russian title Кошачьи врата [Gate Cat]

Contains:

    • "Lore of the Witch World" as "Traditions of the witching world" (collection)
      • "Spider Silk" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 4-48
      • "Sand Sister" as "Sand Sisters" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 48-99
      • "Falcon Blood" as "Blood of the Falcon" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 100-117
      • "Legacy fron Sorn Fen" as "Inheritance from the Sorn Mire" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 118-128
      • "Sword of Unbelief" as "Sword of disbelief" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 129-163
      • "The Toads of Grimmerdale" as "Grimmerdale toads" ~ translation by K. Korolyov, pp. 163-220
      • "Changeling" as "The changeling" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 220-252
    • "The Gate of the Cat" as "Feline Gate" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 253-444

 

  • (2001) Published in Moscow, by AST and St. Petersburg, by Terra Fantastica, 5-170-07078-0 and 5-792-10403-4, HC, 640pg ~ Russian title Преданья колдовского мира. Гнев оборотня. Сокровище Зарстора. [Traditions of the Witching World. Wrath of the werewolf. Zarstor's Treasure]

Contains:

    • "Lore of the Witch World" as "Traditions of the Witching World"
      • "Spider Silk" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 7-62
      • "Sand Sister" as "Sand Sisters" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 63-129
      • "Falcon Blood" as "Blood of the Falcon" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 130-152
      • "Legacy from Sorn Fen" as "The inheritance of the Sorn bog" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 153-167
      • "Sword of Unbelief" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 168-210
      • "The Toads of Grimmerdale" as "Grimmerdale Toads" ~ translation by N. Mikhailov, pp. 211-324
      • "Changerling" as " The changeling" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 285-324
    • "Were-Wrath" as "Wrath of the Werewolf" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, p. 325-372
    • "Zarsthor's Bane" as "Treasure of Zarstor" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, p. 373-538
    • History of the Witching World (reference materials), p. 539-635

 

  • (2021) Published in Moscow, by Azbuka-Atticus, HC, 978-538-91915-25; 608pg ~ cover by E. Salamashenko ~ Russian title Колдовской мир. Тайны Колдовского мира [The Witch's World. Secrets of the Witchcraft World] limited to 4000 copies

Contains:

    • "The Jargoon Pard" as "Magic belt" ~ translation by G. Solovyova, pp. 5-166
    • "Zarsthor's Bane" as "The Curse of Zarstor" ~ translation by G. Solovyova, pp. 167-290
    • "Lore of the Witch World" as "Secrets of the Witchcraft World"
      • "Spider Silk" as "Spider silk" ~ translation by by G. Solovyova, pp. 293-334
      • "Sand Sister" as "Sand Sisters" ~ translation by by G. Solovyova, pp. 335-383
      • "Falcon Blood" as "Falcon Blood" ~ translation by by G. Solovyova, pp. 384-400
      • "Legacy from Sorn Fen" as "The Legacy of the Thorn Quagmires" ~ translation by G. Solovyova, pp. 401-411
      • "Sword of Unbelief" as "Sword of Disbelief" ~ translation by by G. Solovyova, pp. 412-442
      • "The Toads of Grimmerdale" as "Grimmerdale Toads" ~ translation by by G. Solovyova, pp. 443-497
      • "Changeling" ~ translation by by G. Solovyova, pp. 498-526
    • "Ully the Piper" as "Ully-piper" ~ translation by by G. Solovyova, pp. 527-537
    • "One Spell Wizard" as "The Talentless Mage" ~ translation by G. Solovyova, pp. 538-551
    • "Were-Wrath" as "Werewolf's Wrath" ~ translation by G. Solovyova, pp. 552-584
    • "Earthborn" as "Daughter of the Earth" ~ translation by G. Solovyova, pp. 585-605

 

Ukraininan Omnibus Editions ~

  • (2010) Published in Kyiv, Ukraine by Globe, (Fanzine) ~ 784pgs. ~ cover by Rodney Matthews ~ Ukrainian title Колдовской мир-4 [Sorcerer's World -4] ~ Limited to 10 copies and not released until November 2018

Contains:

    • "The Jargoon Pard" as "A leopard belt" ~ translation by K. Prilypko, pp. 5-149
    • "Zarsthor's Bane" as "The Curse of Zarstor" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 151-247
    • "Were-Wrath" as "Wrath of the Werewolf" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 249-277
    • "One Spell Wizard" as "Mediocre magician" ~ translation by E. Drozd, pp. 279-295
    • "Lore of the Witch World" as "Traditions of the Witching World"
      • "Spider Silk" as "Spider silk" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 299-332
      • "Sand Sister" as "Sand Sisters" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 333-372
      • "Falcon Blood" as "Blood of the Falcon" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 373-386
      • "Legacy from Sorn Fen" as "The inheritance of the Sorn bog" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 387-395
      • "Sword of Unbelief" as "Sword of Disbelief" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 396-421
      • "The Toads of Grimmerdale" as "Grimmerdale Toads" ~ translation by K. Korolyov, pp. 422-465
      • "Changeling" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 466-489
    • "The Turning" as "The Consequences of the Great Shift"
      • "Port of Dead Ships" as "Port of the dead ships" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 491-636
      • "Seakeep" by Pauline Griffin as "Sea Fortress" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 637-781

View the Original contract

View the 2001 Russian contract

See Also: The Sorcerer's Conspectus entry for this title.

View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://www.andre-norton.com/works-of-a-master/series-of-a-master/the-witch-world-saga/381-the-toads-of-grimmerdale#sigProIdf8a7a83a74

 

 

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