Charwomen's Shadow - Lord Dunsany - cover artist Gervasio Gallardo - reviewed
Ballantine Adult Fastasy - published September 1973 - 2nd printing. This Ballantine paperback is the1st publication of this title since the UK hardbound edition released in 1926. In my estimation Gervasio Gallardo is a master of fantasy art. CR
reviewed by CR
Lord Dunsany (1878-1957) was, among many other notable accomplishments, a highly regarded writer of fantasy fiction. "The Charwoman's Shadow" is the second book I have read by Dunsany, the other being the highly regarded "King of Elflands Daughter".
The "The Charwoman's Shadow" is a well-crafted story set in medieval Spain. Our hero Ramon Alonzo is apprenticed to a magician in order to learn how to turn stones into gold. You see the family estate has fallen on hard times and his sister's dowry chest is empty therefore Ramon is charged by his father to acquire skills in the black arts. Nothing good is ever gained from trafficking with sorcery and Ramon needs his wits, luck and some help from Father Joseph to outsmart the magician.
The story is interesting to a point, but it is the glorious use of language and pacing that makes this book a most rewarding reading experience.
I found the character of the magician very interesting and nuanced. When Ramon questions the loss of his soul the magician confidently tells him of the worthy reward he will receive if he fully developes his skills in the black arts: 'you will walk through Hell a flaming object of awe and reverence veneration while all abase themselves as you go by faces low in the cinders - an apparition of glory, and among the first of all the splendors of Hell." No wonder Ramon eludes the magician and returns to the land of light.
Books classified as "fantasy" have been a mainstay of my reading interest for many years. I will not attempt to define just what constitutes "fantasy" except to say if you read it you will know it and will never inquire again. I must admit that so far my readings do not venture into the modern authors whose works seem to be taking over increasing amounts of space on the retail bookshelves.
As anyone who develops an interest in a particular subject or themes will eventually read comments or opinions by other aficionados and authors. The one author that keeps being recommended is Lord Dunsany. During the period 1960-1975 the recommendations were usually followed by the disclaimed that, oh well, he's a great author, but none of his wonderful fiction has ever been published in the US. Fortunately this situation has changed but you still have to troll the Internet to find his books but thankfully they are available.
Charwomen's Shadow - Lord Dunsany - cover artist Gervasio Gallardo - reviewed
Ballantine Adult Fastasy - published September 1973 - 2nd printing. This Ballantine paperback is the1st publication of this title since the UK hardbound edition released in 1926. In my estimation Gervasio Gallardo is a master of fantasy art. CR
reviewed by CR
Lord Dunsany (1878-1957) was, among many other notable accomplishments, a highly regarded writer of fantasy fiction. "The Charwoman's Shadow" is the second book I have read by Dunsany, the other being the highly regarded "King of Elflands Daughter".
The "The Charwoman's Shadow" is a well-crafted story set in medieval Spain. Our hero Ramon Alonzo is apprenticed to a magician in order to learn how to turn stones into gold. You see the family estate has fallen on hard times and his sister's dowry chest is empty therefore Ramon is charged by his father to acquire skills in the black arts. Nothing good is ever gained from trafficking with sorcery and Ramon needs his wits, luck and some help from Father Joseph to outsmart the magician.
The story is interesting to a point, but it is the glorious use of language and pacing that makes this book a most rewarding reading experience.
I found the character of the magician very interesting and nuanced. When Ramon questions the loss of his soul the magician confidently tells him of the worthy reward he will receive if he fully developes his skills in the black arts: 'you will walk through Hell a flaming object of awe and reverence veneration while all abase themselves as you go by faces low in the cinders - an apparition of glory, and among the first of all the splendors of Hell." No wonder Ramon eludes the magician and returns to the land of light.
Books classified as "fantasy" have been a mainstay of my reading interest for many years. I will not attempt to define just what constitutes "fantasy" except to say if you read it you will know it and will never inquire again. I must admit that so far my readings do not venture into the modern authors whose works seem to be taking over increasing amounts of space on the retail bookshelves.
As anyone who develops an interest in a particular subject or themes will eventually read comments or opinions by other aficionados and authors. The one author that keeps being recommended is Lord Dunsany. During the period 1960-1975 the recommendations were usually followed by the disclaimed that, oh well, he's a great author, but none of his wonderful fiction has ever been published in the US. Fortunately this situation has changed but you still have to troll the Internet to find his books but thankfully they are available.