Flight from Nevèrÿon
"Return to Nevèrÿon" is a series of eleven “sword and sorcery” stories—a science fiction/fantasy series depicting an empire beyond the borders of history where human destinies entwine in a strange design. It is an intricate web of adventure, intrigue and desire and a literary puzzle where meaning, parable and paradox collide.  The eleven tales that make up Return to Nevèrÿon are set before the dawn of history, in a location that might be Africa or Asia.  Many of the stories have different protagonists and, indeed, different sets of foreground characters. But all take a greater or lesser part in recounting an overall story running through the whole series, the history of a man called Gorgik the Liberator.  Taken slave in childhood, Gorgik gains his freedom, leads a slave revolt, and becomes a minister of state, finally abolishing slavery. Ironically, however, he is sexually aroused by the iron slave collars of servitude. Does this contaminate his mission -- or intensify it?  Originally published in four volumes during the years 1979-1987, those volumes are:

 1. Return to Nevèrÿon
 2. Tales of Nevèrÿon
 3. Neveryona, or: The Tale of Signs and Cities
 4. **Flight from Nevèrÿon**
 5. Return to Nevèrÿon (aka The Bridge of Lost Desire)
Science Fiction, Fantasy, American Fantasy fiction, Fiction, fantasy, general
Samuel R. Delany