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noonjinx's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A collection of beautifully written short fantasy stories. Full of thieves, little gods, creepy creatures and the occasional dragon. They are a joy to read but really just mood pieces. My one criticism is that they all stop abruptly without satisfying endings. Still highly recommended for the poetic language
mariadavid's review against another edition
4.0
Lord Dunsany’s prose is some of the most beautiful I’ve ever read, though unlike his novels, these short stories don’t have much character development and plot. It isn’t really necessary for such short stories. I will read for his writing style alone.
thebriceiswrite's review against another edition
A succinct book review, so you have more time left for reading books!
You will be drowned in an ocean of prose, and you will like it, because it will feel like breathing in for the first time the scent of the sweet honey blossoms of the tree of eternal youth and pleasantness in the realm of the great god Fa-deed-dl-dee-da which is inhibited only by the most beautiful and short-lived butterflies and one vicious guard dog that has torn to shreds exactly nine and one-half humans and one unfortunate katydid.
You will be drowned in an ocean of prose, and you will like it, because it will feel like breathing in for the first time the scent of the sweet honey blossoms of the tree of eternal youth and pleasantness in the realm of the great god Fa-deed-dl-dee-da which is inhibited only by the most beautiful and short-lived butterflies and one vicious guard dog that has torn to shreds exactly nine and one-half humans and one unfortunate katydid.
apworden's review against another edition
5.0
Very strange and remarkably beautiful. If you liked Neil Gaimon's Sandman you will like this book.
ketreads's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
This book contains various short anthologies, complete with their whimsical writing and fairytale warnings. The first couple took me a second to get used to his writing, often having long and often overly explanatory sentences. Once I was over the initial differences in his prose I found myself quite enjoying his works here.
They all had such interesting and complete feeling worlds, just showing as a mini snap-shot of a world that has been turning both before and after we leave.
A very easy read, if a bit short, though I hear he has many other works I'd love to have a go at reading too.
They all had such interesting and complete feeling worlds, just showing as a mini snap-shot of a world that has been turning both before and after we leave.
A very easy read, if a bit short, though I hear he has many other works I'd love to have a go at reading too.
spoth's review against another edition
5.0
An Irish lord, in the style of the King James Bible, wrote short stories that were a deep influence on Lovecraft, Tolkien, and Le Guin - this was 1920 or thereabouts, when there was very little fantasy tradition. The tales are short, barely sketched in, yet atmospheric at the same time. All doomed cities and terrible fates awaiting foolhardy thieves, and some fantastic bits that take place at the edge of the (flat) world.
tolkientalker's review against another edition
2.0
On the fence about this one. Definitely not for kiddos. There is dark humor (which is not necessarily terrible, it just wasn't what I was expecting) and horror. And to the latter, I have now read that this was a book that inspired Lovecraft...so I guess that's not that surprising.
But it definitely wasn't what I was expecting and though I would say it was fascinating (meriting probably more of 2.5 stars) it is not my style of fantasy.
But it definitely wasn't what I was expecting and though I would say it was fascinating (meriting probably more of 2.5 stars) it is not my style of fantasy.