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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
The first half, with it's marital drama and leaping trolls, is achingly pretty, and I would read more fantasy if Dunsany's lofty and sing songy style were more common. It adds a gravitas that keeps this tale of elfs and princes magical.
Half way through, though, the story gets stuck spiraling in a series of narrative cul de sacs that take until the last page to escape.
Had it been longer I would have never finished it, and the lovely first half can't redeem the absolute chore of a second half.
Half way through, though, the story gets stuck spiraling in a series of narrative cul de sacs that take until the last page to escape.
Had it been longer I would have never finished it, and the lovely first half can't redeem the absolute chore of a second half.
I started this book bc it's the first book written with elflore. But the writing is so inflated bc it's older, descriptive language. I got bored. I tried starting it again about four times. Just can't get into it.
adventurous
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
So enchanting! For a fantasy story that is 100 years old, it is such a delight.
A dreamy, full of heart magical tale.
A glimpse of fairyland/Elfland that transport you on a classic adventure, full of hope and sorrow.
Human nature, passing of time and religion are part of it without being at all overdone nor the center of the book.
As a non native English reader (though I read mostly in English and usually have so problem), the style might need a few chapters (short ones!) to get used to, but once it does, the story flows. It’s quite short in any case and so are each chapters.
I enjoyed the different perspectives we followed, including a troll.
Very happy I picked this up as my first read of 2023 and definitely conforts me in my goal to discover older fantasy works this year.
A dreamy, full of heart magical tale.
A glimpse of fairyland/Elfland that transport you on a classic adventure, full of hope and sorrow.
Human nature, passing of time and religion are part of it without being at all overdone nor the center of the book.
As a non native English reader (though I read mostly in English and usually have so problem), the style might need a few chapters (short ones!) to get used to, but once it does, the story flows. It’s quite short in any case and so are each chapters.
I enjoyed the different perspectives we followed, including a troll.
Very happy I picked this up as my first read of 2023 and definitely conforts me in my goal to discover older fantasy works this year.
Dig for the metaphores. Or not. Try to find the action. Or not.
Just read it for the sake of the sheer beauty and the incredible flow of the language. You will be rewarded.
Just read it for the sake of the sheer beauty and the incredible flow of the language. You will be rewarded.
I really didn't like this book much. I wanted to like it; expected to like it mainly because my friends who I invariably agree with loved it.
There is no doubt that the writing is beautifull and sometimes that alone is enough to enthrall me. It was also very repetitive and it's lyrical quality couldn't compensate for the dullness of the story. There was no character development as they remained these type of storybook cardboard cutouts with no growth or emotions at all. I am disappointed but it just wasn't for me.
There is no doubt that the writing is beautifull and sometimes that alone is enough to enthrall me. It was also very repetitive and it's lyrical quality couldn't compensate for the dullness of the story. There was no character development as they remained these type of storybook cardboard cutouts with no growth or emotions at all. I am disappointed but it just wasn't for me.
“Then out of th hush rose little murmurs of yearning, little sounds as of longing for things that no songs can say, sounds like the voices of tears if each little salt drop could live, and be given voice to tell of the ways of grief”
“And they spoke of Elfland lightly, as one tells of some dream that came at dawn and went away before waking. And Alveric heard with despair, for Lirazel dwelt not only over the border but even, as he saw now, beyond human belief; so that all at once she seemed remoter than ever, and he still lonelier”
“And at this sight, and at all the strangeness coming across our fields, or because of old memories that came with the twilight or bygone songs that sang in it, a strange joy came shivering upon Ziroonderel, and if witches weep she wept”
“And they spoke of Elfland lightly, as one tells of some dream that came at dawn and went away before waking. And Alveric heard with despair, for Lirazel dwelt not only over the border but even, as he saw now, beyond human belief; so that all at once she seemed remoter than ever, and he still lonelier”
“And at this sight, and at all the strangeness coming across our fields, or because of old memories that came with the twilight or bygone songs that sang in it, a strange joy came shivering upon Ziroonderel, and if witches weep she wept”
slow-paced
That prose though!
I read this because I had heard it was a major influence on Tolkien and that was clear early on in the book. That said it wasn’t what I was expecting in two ways. First, what I thought would be the plot of the entire book basically amounted to a prologue. Second, it was written in the style of a classical fairy tale without much actual dialogue between characters, just a tale told as an account of the events that occurred. That said, the prose was amazing, nearly lyrical.
This deserves to be read more but it’s not the lord of the rings.
It seems like Tolkien merged this style with historical fiction to make his fantasy opus.
I read this because I had heard it was a major influence on Tolkien and that was clear early on in the book. That said it wasn’t what I was expecting in two ways. First, what I thought would be the plot of the entire book basically amounted to a prologue. Second, it was written in the style of a classical fairy tale without much actual dialogue between characters, just a tale told as an account of the events that occurred. That said, the prose was amazing, nearly lyrical.
This deserves to be read more but it’s not the lord of the rings.
It seems like Tolkien merged this style with historical fiction to make his fantasy opus.