Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
medium-paced
I found this to be a really interesting read. It's a fantasy novel from 1924, and while it became well-known from a paperback edition in the 60s, it was not previously, and importantly does not seem to have been an influence on The Lord of the Rings, which informs so much of our modern concept of fantasy literature.
It's a much more fairy tale-like work than LOTR. The closest comparison I can come up with is "The Last Unicorn." TKOED has flatter characters than TLU's interesting Schmendrick and Molly Grue. But it plays on similar dream-like themes, and both manage almost heartbreakingly beautiful descriptions at times. (As the father of a very young child, I'll admit I teared up a bit at some of the descriptions of Orion's childhood.)
The characters and story are just fine, but I liked Dunsany's writing enough that I'm interested in reading some of his short stories.
It's a much more fairy tale-like work than LOTR. The closest comparison I can come up with is "The Last Unicorn." TKOED has flatter characters than TLU's interesting Schmendrick and Molly Grue. But it plays on similar dream-like themes, and both manage almost heartbreakingly beautiful descriptions at times. (As the father of a very young child, I'll admit I teared up a bit at some of the descriptions of Orion's childhood.)
The characters and story are just fine, but I liked Dunsany's writing enough that I'm interested in reading some of his short stories.
A lot of the appeal of this book to me was seeing just what kind of elements were being used in published works in the 1920s. The King of Elfland’s Daughter had and continues to have such an impact on the works of authors I love. Perhaps most notably in my reading experience are Tolkien and Le Guin. Then, to take that further, to see some of that ripple down to those that Tolkien and Le Guin influenced. It is a fun thought experiment to track some of that throughout the publication years and the changes over time that can be seen.
With that lens, the one of impact and influence, seeing how Lord Dunsay has affected a genre, it became easy to see threads and elements that carry on to titles being published today. The first thing I noticed was the lovely language. The style of prose used, while certainly more classical than what I usually see today, brought to mind the previously mentioned authors; and a few more besides. Then we get some magical creatures, most notably trolls and unicorns. There was also a magic sword, a quest, weird time stuff, a different land to explore, and the merging of the real and the fantastic.
The problem I have in general with the more classical reads is that I am so accustomed to having a lot more dialogue and to being closer to the characters, usually spending more time with them and getting a sense of being right there with them through their journey. These classical tales tell things from such a distance that it can be difficult to connect on a similar level. I personally believe that this is something that a reader can get used to and feel just as immersed in as with a more modern approach to telling a story. But here, I struggled with it at times. The tale was short but felt dense. Like I should go back and start over to capture all the events and happenings in the book. Though I think I generally feel that way. The beauty of rereading something or discussing it with others is uncovering previously undiscovered layers to the story that you missed previously. I’m certain this book would be no exception, that spending more time with it would offer more gleanings into the connections and complexities at play.
Where this book really stands out was with how magic is thought of by the characters and exists in this world. It has rather loose rules, it feels intangible, mysterious. The King of Elfland’s Daughter does not spend time establishing a lot of those elements, there are shockingly few moments of exposition to describe how time works between the realms or how traveling between them works. But it still works, I think. It created a feeling of awe to the events and a looming atmosphere of whimsy and wonder on every page. The way characters seek to find more of this magic and pin it down, that quests and struggle likewise lends to this mystique.
Overall, I had a great time reading this. I am already drowning in my TBR, but this experience has me wanting to read older works. And so the cycle continues…
With that lens, the one of impact and influence, seeing how Lord Dunsay has affected a genre, it became easy to see threads and elements that carry on to titles being published today. The first thing I noticed was the lovely language. The style of prose used, while certainly more classical than what I usually see today, brought to mind the previously mentioned authors; and a few more besides. Then we get some magical creatures, most notably trolls and unicorns. There was also a magic sword, a quest, weird time stuff, a different land to explore, and the merging of the real and the fantastic.
The problem I have in general with the more classical reads is that I am so accustomed to having a lot more dialogue and to being closer to the characters, usually spending more time with them and getting a sense of being right there with them through their journey. These classical tales tell things from such a distance that it can be difficult to connect on a similar level. I personally believe that this is something that a reader can get used to and feel just as immersed in as with a more modern approach to telling a story. But here, I struggled with it at times. The tale was short but felt dense. Like I should go back and start over to capture all the events and happenings in the book. Though I think I generally feel that way. The beauty of rereading something or discussing it with others is uncovering previously undiscovered layers to the story that you missed previously. I’m certain this book would be no exception, that spending more time with it would offer more gleanings into the connections and complexities at play.
Where this book really stands out was with how magic is thought of by the characters and exists in this world. It has rather loose rules, it feels intangible, mysterious. The King of Elfland’s Daughter does not spend time establishing a lot of those elements, there are shockingly few moments of exposition to describe how time works between the realms or how traveling between them works. But it still works, I think. It created a feeling of awe to the events and a looming atmosphere of whimsy and wonder on every page. The way characters seek to find more of this magic and pin it down, that quests and struggle likewise lends to this mystique.
Overall, I had a great time reading this. I am already drowning in my TBR, but this experience has me wanting to read older works. And so the cycle continues…
I once visited one of the headwaters of the Colorado. There are many. This one was but a tiny trickle way up in the Rocky Mountains. The air was thin and cold. All was otherworldly. That’s this book.
When the quote on the front of a pure fantasy novel is from H.P. Lovecraft, you know you're about to read something special. The term source material gets tossed around quite a bit, but in this case it's ridiculously appropriate. There is so much in this book that has been reused and re-imagined that reading it is a constant surprise. While the prose is just outdated enough to require your constant attention it is ultimately some of the most rewarding reading I've ever done. Additionally Lord Dunsany's is one of the more interesting stories and definitely unexpected. I'd recommend reading up on him in addition to reading this excellent novel.
I feel bad for what I'm about to say concerning this book. Really, I do. But...I'm going to be honest.
There were some gorgeous descriptions in this book. Some of them even gave me chills, but there were plenty of other places to take issue.
The plot line of this book is that one day ten men in the small kingdom of Erl get it into their heads that they want their country to be famous and the best way to do that is to have a ruler who is magical. Upon hearing their demands, their king sends for his son, Alveric, and tells him to go to the magical realm of Elfland to fetch the King of Elfland's daughter. Being a good son, Alveric does exactly that, hacking his way through the enchanted forest with a magical sword to reach the King of Elfland's palace.
Once there, Alveric sees the King of Elfland's daughter, Lirazel, frolicking on the lawn outside the palace. He is taken with her stunning beauty (of course) and speaks to her of his home, the World of Men. While Lirazel converses with him, her four magical bodyguards show up. Upon finding Alveric, they proceed to attack him. Alveric then kills them and, for mysterious reasons, Lirazel runs away with him back to the World of Men and thus they begin a few decades of troublesome exchanges between Elfland and Earth.
I couldn't understand what it was about Alveric that made Lirazel stick around. I don't think there was even any mention of love between them and all Alveric seemed to do was tell Lirazel not to do this and not to do that.
Then there was their son, Orion. He was good for nothing except hunting. He thinks about nothing but hunting, he does nothing but hunt. For sport, not food! He goes hunting for deer everyday until he discovers hunting unicorns. Unicorns who, by the way, aren't hurting anything or anyone and only attack Orion once he's got them cornered by his dogs.
The ending accomplishes nothing. I can't tell you what happens at the end without spoiling the book, but let's just say that there's no real climatic event.
So there, I've slammed a classic. I'm sorry, Lord Dunsany!
There were some gorgeous descriptions in this book. Some of them even gave me chills, but there were plenty of other places to take issue.
The plot line of this book is that one day ten men in the small kingdom of Erl get it into their heads that they want their country to be famous and the best way to do that is to have a ruler who is magical. Upon hearing their demands, their king sends for his son, Alveric, and tells him to go to the magical realm of Elfland to fetch the King of Elfland's daughter. Being a good son, Alveric does exactly that, hacking his way through the enchanted forest with a magical sword to reach the King of Elfland's palace.
Once there, Alveric sees the King of Elfland's daughter, Lirazel, frolicking on the lawn outside the palace. He is taken with her stunning beauty (of course) and speaks to her of his home, the World of Men. While Lirazel converses with him, her four magical bodyguards show up. Upon finding Alveric, they proceed to attack him. Alveric then kills them and, for mysterious reasons, Lirazel runs away with him back to the World of Men and thus they begin a few decades of troublesome exchanges between Elfland and Earth.
I couldn't understand what it was about Alveric that made Lirazel stick around. I don't think there was even any mention of love between them and all Alveric seemed to do was tell Lirazel not to do this and not to do that.
Then there was their son, Orion. He was good for nothing except hunting. He thinks about nothing but hunting, he does nothing but hunt. For sport, not food! He goes hunting for deer everyday until he discovers hunting unicorns. Unicorns who, by the way, aren't hurting anything or anyone and only attack Orion once he's got them cornered by his dogs.
The ending accomplishes nothing. I can't tell you what happens at the end without spoiling the book, but let's just say that there's no real climatic event.
So there, I've slammed a classic. I'm sorry, Lord Dunsany!
This novel has some beautiful writing, that says absolutely nothing. There is not much plot, nor character development - but it does show how a good writer can make even the mudane sound amazing. But that is the issue with this book, the write is very good he almost hides the fact that the plot is so weak, none of the adventures are really fleshed out, and that none of his characters really have any personality.
Where other people may have found heartbreaking story I found only guy who invaded a land that was manifestly different, on behest of couple of drunkards calling themselves a parliament and for no reason other than boredom no less, found his soon-to-be wife there who he later drove away due to his complete inability to accept anything else but his own little world, and despite her trying to do her best. The rest of the book is then describing his nothing short of insane obsession (no euphemism there, mind) with getting her back with no self-reflection whatsoever... and succeeding.
I realize this is fairy tale-esque fantasy but I just couldn't get over it with this book.
I realize this is fairy tale-esque fantasy but I just couldn't get over it with this book.
This was a really interesting read. The language is "of its time" which makes it both beautiful to read, like a poem at times, but also challenging. The sentences are very long and I sometimes found them hard to follow. The story is sort of a sad one really. It starts as a wonderful adventure of Alveric setting out to marry the King of Elfland's Daughter. But then Lirazel struggles to integrate and after she heads home poor Orion is left without a mother, and then shortly afterwards is left without a father because Alveric heads out on his quest which is ultimately futile even after years of wandering. There's also an interesting exploration of the "be careful what you wish for" trope when it comes to the council of Erl, who wanted a magic Lord and then get all upset when magic comes to town. A fascinating read, anyway, and interesting to see the way this book has influenced the genre.
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"And the dawns and the sunsets and twilight and the pale blue glow of stars, that are blended together forever to be the light of Elfland, felt a faint touch of sorrow and all their radiance shook. For the magic that caught these lights and the spells that bound them together, to illumine forever the land that owes no allegiance to Time, were not so strong as a sorrow rising dark from a royal mood of a princess of the elvish line."
I don't understand why this book and author are not more well known, I don't even remember how I even heard of it. I know that it took me forever to get it because it wasn't available in bookstores and I ended up ordering it instead of waiting any longer.
It was such a lovely story, one of the most beautifully written fantasy I've read. It's very much in the spirit of a fairytale rather than the epic fantasy most of us are familiar with, with a touch of "what happens after happily ever aftee?"
It's one I will now recommend to everyone.
I don't understand why this book and author are not more well known, I don't even remember how I even heard of it. I know that it took me forever to get it because it wasn't available in bookstores and I ended up ordering it instead of waiting any longer.
It was such a lovely story, one of the most beautifully written fantasy I've read. It's very much in the spirit of a fairytale rather than the epic fantasy most of us are familiar with, with a touch of "what happens after happily ever aftee?"
It's one I will now recommend to everyone.