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The King of Elfland’s Daughter

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The King of Elfland’s Daughter

By: Lord Dunsany
Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
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About this listen

A masterpiece of fantasy literature that shaped the high fantasy genre and influenced such authors as J. R. R. Tolkien and H. P. Lovecraft

After 700 years of being ruled by man, the Parliament of Erl is ready to be ruled by a magical lord. Obeying the immemorial custom, the lord of Erl sends his son Alveric to fetch the King of Elfland’s daughter, Lirazel, to be his bride. Alveric makes his way to Elfland, where time passes at a rate far slower than the real world, wins her hand, and they return to Erl together.

Alveric and Lirazel marry and have a son, but marriage between a mortal and a fairy princess is never simple. Lirazel struggles to adapt to the customs of humans. Torn between two worlds, Lirazel must decide whether to return to her home and live forever, or remain in Erl with her husband and son, doomed to die a mortal death. Meanwhile, the King of Elfland, missing his daughter greatly and fearing her demise, must utilize his limited sources of magic in order to get her back.

The King of Elfland’s Daughter is a love story for the ages and a fairy tale in the truest sense of the word. First published in 1924, it remains one of the most beloved novels of the genre.

©1924 Lord Dunsany (P)2020 Blackstone Publishing Classics Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Magic Marriage

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Apparently Dunsany used to write with a quill - and this book sounds like it was written with one. It’s the unfolding of a beautiful myth of England, of the landscape, of the fields we know, told by a man who knows nature and the vanishing ways of rural life. A man who expresses himself in a language at once archaic and timeless. Beautifully read by Stefan Rudnicki whose voice matches majesty of Dunsany’s words.

Timeless Classic

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One of those books that has hovered on my list since it being mentioned in the classic Appendix N of the 1st ed Dungeon Masters Guide. It's influence was far and wide, from early writers like Lovecraft, Anderson, and Tolkien to latter authors such as Gaiman and Vance.
It's certainly a book of its time and it takes a while to adjust to the rich prose. The tale is one of classic epic fantasy, of magical swords, elves, magic of great strength, quests, love, and the Fey. You can see how many, many stories owe inspiration to facets here that in itself derived from Celtic and Norse mythos. Lovely touches such as the time difference between the fey Elfland and the human Fields that We Know are wonderfully nuanced. The depiction of trolls, willo the wisps, and other such creatures is great also (brought to mind Tad Williams ideas of trolls).

The narration was strange at first but ultimately the narrator's voice suited the story well.

For those interested in fantasy literature it's a definite read, or listen (it's free on Audible).

a classic of fantasy literature

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An ideal bedtime book to drift off to sleep to.

Well read and unlike anything else. I would recommend as an easy listen for lyrical prose and whimsical fancies.

Poetic and magical

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Ive never read a book like this,it was simply amazing!! And perfectly read by the narrator, such an enchanting voice.

Wow

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