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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
Beautifully written. The magic feels, well, really magical when described. Don't think I've seen anything like this before. The prose is beautiful.
The events that makes the story are quite curious, for the quest that starts the whole thing to its development and consequences.
I only wish to have seen a bit more of the characters, as sometimes they felt a bit too distant (though in some cases it might have been intentional).
The events that makes the story are quite curious, for the quest that starts the whole thing to its development and consequences.
I only wish to have seen a bit more of the characters, as sometimes they felt a bit too distant (though in some cases it might have been intentional).
¿Porqué no lo había leído antes?
Es de los libros mas bonitos, mas mágicos, que he leído.
Es de los libros mas bonitos, mas mágicos, que he leído.
Favorite Quotes
And there was scent of thyme in it and sight of lilac, and the chorus of birds that sings before dawn in April, and the deep proud splendor of rhododendrons, and the litheness and laughter of streams, and miles and miles of May.
And there, with their gables lifting into the sunlight above deep hedgerows beautiful with spring. He saw the cottages of earthly men. Past them he walked while the beauty of evening grew, with songs of birds, and scents wandering from flowers, and odours that deepened, and evening decked herself to receive the Evening Star.
For she had a charm for brightening the morning, and a charm for cheering the day.
...she gave thanks to the images of the stars for the joy she had had of the night, when the constellations shone in their myriad majesty, and moved like an army dresses in silver mail, marching from unknown victories to conquer in distant wars. She praised those bright reflections shimmering down in the pool.
And at that moment a wind came out of the northwest, and entered the woods and bared the golden branches, and danced over the downs, and led a company of scarlet and golden leaves, that had dreaded this day but danced now it had come; and away with a riot of dancing and glory of colour, high in the light of the sun that had set from the sight of the fields, went wind and leaves together.
And there was scent of thyme in it and sight of lilac, and the chorus of birds that sings before dawn in April, and the deep proud splendor of rhododendrons, and the litheness and laughter of streams, and miles and miles of May.
And there, with their gables lifting into the sunlight above deep hedgerows beautiful with spring. He saw the cottages of earthly men. Past them he walked while the beauty of evening grew, with songs of birds, and scents wandering from flowers, and odours that deepened, and evening decked herself to receive the Evening Star.
For she had a charm for brightening the morning, and a charm for cheering the day.
...she gave thanks to the images of the stars for the joy she had had of the night, when the constellations shone in their myriad majesty, and moved like an army dresses in silver mail, marching from unknown victories to conquer in distant wars. She praised those bright reflections shimmering down in the pool.
And at that moment a wind came out of the northwest, and entered the woods and bared the golden branches, and danced over the downs, and led a company of scarlet and golden leaves, that had dreaded this day but danced now it had come; and away with a riot of dancing and glory of colour, high in the light of the sun that had set from the sight of the fields, went wind and leaves together.
This was a beautifully written novel and I am extremely grateful for the friend who lent it to me because I'm not sure I would have read it otherwise. I wouldn't recommend this to everyone. But, if you enjoy poetic prose, old fashioned fairy-tales, and magical worlds, then you need to dive into this book.
Dunsanys story is more poetic than epic. The story of two lands, ours and elfland, and the interplay of magic in between does make for a fun book. However, the seemingly descriptive parts of the book can make for a more tedious story. In short, while this book may be considered a predecessor to modern fantasy novels, it really is a different animal entirely.
Enjoy it for its story but be prepared for Victorian era prose.
Enjoy it for its story but be prepared for Victorian era prose.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
An interesting look at early 20th century fantasy, Dunsany's book reads like an old fairytale. It is a bit slow at parts and not terribly full of action, but it has some beautiful prose describing Elfland and "the fields we know" which makes it all feel very dreamlike. I struggled to get through it because of the slow pace, but it is an interesting read for those that enjoy a bit of whimsical fantasy.
Lord Dunsany makes the flowery style of fantasy work...I can see, though, why Ursula Le Guin warned against the perils of Dunsany imitation for aspiring fantasy authors. I can't think of many people who could keep that style from smacking flat on its face.
It's difficult to capture a sense of how fresh and definitive this was in its time, now it seems a little plain and humourless compared to the books that have followed it (I'm thinking of Stardust by Neil Gaiman in particular) but nevertheless it's an elegant tale told with a poetic touch but also a cleverly straightforward style.
Brilliant novel if you can get through the lack of much conflict and if you can get into the prose which is fairly whimsical and airy. The setting and the way that the events of the world relate to each other are so unique and interesting. Causality is super strange and beautiful and, possibly because it was written before too many modern fantasy conventions had had time to develop, nothing that you think is bound to happen ever does. I loved it.