Book Description
This new translation is faithful to the lyricism, verve, and humour of the original, and is the only annotated edition available.
Download Description
The "Voyages Extraordinaires" of M. Jules Verne deserve to be made widely known in English-speaking countries by means of carefully prepared translations. Witty and ingenious adaptations of the researches and discoveries of modern science to the popular taste, which demands that these should be presented to ordinary readers in the lighter form of cleverly mingled truth and fiction, these books will assuredly be read with profit and delight, especially by English youth.
Customer Reviews:
Verne Goes Below the Surface of the World.......2007-09-15
For those interested in the history of science fiction, it can be debated as to who wrote the first science fiction story. My personal choice has always been Mary Shelley who wrote Frankenstein, but others have argued for Poe or others. Then there are Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, who were more-or-less the first true science fiction authors, that is, authors who really wrote in that genre.
Verne predates Wells, but I still can see argument for Wells being given priority. Wells seems to have done more to give the genre definition; Wells is more interested in using the fiction to speculate about the future and the nature of man. Verne, on the other hand, uses science more for a plot device to tell adventure stories. Probably it's impossible to ever settle the matter, but the way I see it, Wells was the deeper thinker, but Verne was the more entertaining writer.
Journey to the Center of the Earth is a typical Verne story. In it, the narrator Axel relates the story of an adventure with his uncle and guardian, the esteemed Professor Otto Lidenbrock. Lidenbrock has stumbled upon an old parchment, which when translated, tells of a passage to the center of the Earth through a volcano in Iceland. Axel, well-educated himself, is more skeptical than his obsessed uncle, but is compelled to go along (it doesn't help when Axel's fiancee thinks the journey is a good idea.
The bulk of the novel deals with the trip to Iceland (where they pick up an assistant, Hans), then to the extinct volcano, and finally into the bowels of the Earth. What they find there defies their expectations, and I won't spoil any of the fun by revealing it.
Like other Verne tales I have read, this one is written with a light touch and is an easy read (Wells is a bit more inconsistent in this regard). Compared with today's works, this is pretty tame and simple, but for its time, it must have been a lot of fun. In fact, it's still pretty entertaining, and if you're a science fiction fan, this is a good look at one of the early works in the field.
Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03
Lost races, dinosaurs, volcanoes, what more could a kid want? A scientist discovers some writing by an old explorer that greatly excites him. He puts together a cosmopolitan expedition of adventurers to go and check it out for himself. The expedition includes his young nephew, presumably so younger readers have someone to relate to.
Not quite what I was expecting.......2006-11-21
A Journey to the Center of the Earth did not turn out to be quite what I was expecting; I can't say quite why, however, because I'm not entirely certain what those expectations were. I hadn't read the novel previously, but I thought I knew what it was about. As a result, I think I was expecting more drama than Verne delivers, or perhaps I simply wanted the book to be more than it is. Most likely I was conflating Verne's novel with other texts: movie adaptations of the novel itself, for instance, in which considerably more in the way of actual antagonism--as opposed to the perils of nature itself--occurs; or hollow world stories, in which entire societies thrive on the inside of the earth's crust beneath the rays of a sun that lies at the planet's center. A Journey to the Center of the Earth is neither of these things, of course, and if I underwent any disillusionment, it was purely of my own making.
Understood on its own terms, the novel is, at the very least, interesting, but, truthfully, not much happens. The narrator's speculations (as well as his fevered dreams during times of travail) suggest a much wilder adventure than actually takes place. Much of the action involves the trio of explorers stumbling around in caverns and tunnels, and much of the impediment takes the form of hunger, dehydration, or equipment loss. In fact, as best I can judge, they really don't approach anywhere near the center of the earth, although they do travel quite a distance laterally before resurfacing.
The real joy is the interactions between the characters, primarily the trio of protagonists: the young narrator, his scientist uncle, and their silent, idiosyncratic guide. The expedition leader is an archetypal nutty professor, whose words and actions seem nonsensical to those not privy to his thought processes; his nephew, the narrator, alternates between sheer wonder at his surroundings, and sheer terror at the likelihood of spending the rest of his short life surrounded by them; Hans, the guide, says almost nothing but performs his duties in an exemplary manner, and insists on being paid weekly rather than all at once, even while under the earth (a square deal, in his eyes). Their interactions with each other, and with the variety of Icelandic folk they encounter on their way to the volcano which is their means of ingress, are wittily and cleverly depicted. These character moments are the high point of the novel; one wonders how much of their clever interplay originates with Verne and how much is an invention of the translator (who, in this edition, remains sadly anonymous). Whether the novel's tone in its English version is added or simply preserved in translation, full marks to whomever this perceptive soul is.
Though one reflexively considers Jules Verne a "science fiction" writer of a primitive sort, this is really more of an adventure tale and, taken as such, it is generally successful. The adventurers don't explore a strange new world so much as become more intimately acquainted with the world they already know, but if the reader doesn't go in expecting flights of pure fancy, the novel is rather satisfying.
Postscript: I should point out that this review refers to the Signet Classic mass market paperback edition of the novel, which features an afterword by Michael Dirda. Knowing Amazon, it's possible that this review will surface under several different versions, and without clarity, we have nothing.
Better than all the movie versions.......2006-11-09
This short book is one of the founding classics of science fiction literature. It details the story of a German scientist who comes across a map to a place that leads inside the Earth. He puts together a crew, and of they go to Iceland to find the volcano that serves as the entrance. From there, he and his crew journey into the Earth and encounter environments with their own plants, animals, geography and weather. They collect samples, evade dangers, and have hair-raising adventures. The group travels back to the Earth's surface, but lose much of the samples to prove their trip.
The book moves along quite quickly, and has fewer dinosaurs and other animals than seen in the various movie versions. Instead, the book focuses more on the internal dynamics of the group, and how they react to their discoveries, and to each other. All in all, a book that is easily read in a couple of hours, and more worth the time than watching any of the movies.
An Enjoyable and Charming Read that has Earned its Place Among the Classics.......2006-10-16
When Professor von Hardwigg discovers an ancient parchment suggesting a journey to the center of the Earth is possible, he wastes no time dragooning his dubious nephew and ward, Harry, into an expedition, first to Iceland, and then into the Earth. Harry, a young man, sees no good that can come of this expedition, but dutifully agrees.
So begins one of the most beloved classics of science fiction ever published, Jules Verne's "A Journey to the Center of the Earth". I'm hardly a Verne expert, but I've read many of his other classics. "Journey" is unique among his work. It's one of the few books to feature a first person narrator in the form of Harry. Moreover, unlike his other books, "Journey" is less grounded in science and more interested in the fantastic. Verne, through his various characters, slyly implores his readers' indulgence, reminding us that there is plenty about the center of the world we don't know.
Verne was an author who dealt in archetypal characters. From "20,000 Leagues Under the Seas" on, Verne generally concentrated on three types of characters as his protagonists: the brilliant and calm professor; the professor's loyal apprentice, and; the non-scientific, cantankerous, pragmatic, but steadfast man of action. Here, Verne mixes and matches these traits, making for a more interesting cast. Hardwigg is a brilliant scientist, but he's also a ball of barely restrained emotion and energy, demanding his fellow travelers press on, perhaps beyond all reason. The man of action, the Icelandic Hans, is loyal, but by no means cantankerous. He simply does what must be done, and is steadfastly loyalt. Finally, Harry, rather than the unquestioning apprentice, is quite skeptical of this expedition. Hardly steadfast, he proves to be quite cowardly and panics at inopportune times. Thus, with these interesting characters in the mix, the plot of the novel proves frequently unpredictable.
While the premise is fantastic, the action of the novel is far less concerned with monsters that might be found at the center of the earth than the more realistic, albeit more mundane, threats of natural disaster. Rather than being chased by dinosaurs or hidden cave-men, our heroes must deal with being lost, the threat of starvation, underground lakes, exhaustion, and exposure. Naturally, just as all hope seems lost for our heroes, fortune takes a hand. Obviously, if Harry is narrating, they probably get out okay. Still, there are some moments of true white knuckle tension, as Harry is lost in the caverns, or the trio finds itself on a raft with only a piece of jerky as their food-supply.
Wisely, Verne lets the scientific explanations he used as the basis of his other novels go here. He's less interested in giving his reader an education in the latest discovery, and concentrates instead on a great rip-roaring read. Admittedly, the conventions of Victorian-era fiction don't always allow the book to rip or roar. The first third of the book is actually dedicated to getting Harry and the Professor to Iceland and recruiting an expedition. It's more of a travelogue than an adventure tale, which makes the book more realistic, although not consistently exciting. Once our heroes are underground, however, the book takes off.
In the grand scheme of things, "A Journey to the Center of the Earth" is probably not my favorite Verne book. It lacks a remarkable character, like Captain Nemo. It also lacks some of the sharper satire Verne brought to his other books, like "From the Earth to the Moon." It doesn't quite have the pacing of "Around the World in 80 Days." Nonetheless, it is an enjoyable and charming read, and certainly has earned its place among the classics.
Amazon.com
The Gates of Dawn, sequel to Robert Newcomb's debut, The Fifth Sorceress, is somewhat repetitive and clunky, but significantly superior to its predecessor. Most epic fantasy fans will thrill to the sequel's action-packed plot and Newcomb's vivid imagination. However, feminists may want to avoid The Gates of Dawn, since its large cast has only three semi-important female characters (all passive). The squeamish should note that Newcomb can be very tough on his characters, and that the magic of his fantasy world depends on blood--sometimes a lot of blood.
Prince Tristan, the Chosen One of ancient prophecy, has defeated the vicious Sisters of the Coven, but at enormous cost. Thousands have been slaughtered, his twin sister is gravely ill, they're both in hiding, and the Chosen One's vast magical power is of little use--he is still untrained. If these aren't troubles enough, Prince Tristan has an active, deadly enemy he doesn't even know exists: a trained wizard who is, astonishingly, even more powerful than the Chosen One. The hidden wizard has an intimate connection to Tristan that the prince could never have imagined. And he is restoring life to the evil souls of the still-potent Guild of Heretics, an act that requires raising the notorious Gates of Dawn and consecrating them with magically endowed blood--the blood of the Chosen One, Prince Tristan. --Cynthia Ward
Book Description
Epic fantasy found an exhilarating new voice in Robert Newcomb, whose monumental debut novel, The Fifth Sorceress, was hailed by readers and critics alike. And now, for all those spellbound by the tale of Prince Tristan, heir to the throne of Eutracia, his twin sister Princess Shailiha, the ancient wizard Wigg, and the fate of their enchanted land, there is indeed more—much more—to be told. . . .
THE GATES OF DAWN
For three centuries, Eutracia was a kingdom at peace, ruled by a benevolent monarchy and guided by a council of wizards. But a horror from the past, long believed vanquished, returned with devastating fury. And when the battle against the bloodthirsty Sorceresses of the Coven was finally won, victory was not without its price. Now, the royal palace lies in ruins; the king and queen, the royal guard, and the Directorate of Wizards are dead; the land is lawless; and Prince Tristan— forced by the Coven to murder his father, the King—is a wanted man.
In a cavernous underground labyrinth, once headquarters of the wizards’ council, Tristan has taken refuge with his sister, Shailiha, her infant daughter, the wizard Wigg—the lone surviving member of the Directorate—and the crippled wizard Faegan, returned from self-imposed exile in the forest of Shadowood. Together they face the daunting task of restoring order to Eutracia and winning back the allegiance of her subjects. But suddenly, even these challenges pale beside a truly terrifying turn of events. The sacred jewel that is the source of all magic has inexplicably begun to lose its power. Without its age-old enchantment to sustain their spells, the immortal wizards will perish . . . and magic will vanish from Eutracia forever.
At the same time, a mysterious and ruthless mercenary has declared a bounty upon the head of Prince Tristan. And an army of wizards on a mission to rid Eutracia of monsters created by the Coven has fallen prey to an insidious breed of creatures—beings that can only have sprung from forbidden use of malevolent magic. With time and their powers dwindling, Wigg and Faegan desperately seek to discover who, or what, has succeeded the dead Sorceresses in laying siege to Eutracia. But when the shocking truth is revealed, and an evil that transcends life itself is made known, it is Tristan, more than any other, who will be stunned to his very soul. And it is Tristan who will be thrust into the ultimate battle—for his life, his land, and the course of his destiny.
Download Description
Epic fantasy found an exhilarating new voice in Robert Newcomb, whose monumental debut novel, The Fifth Sorceress, was hailed by readers and critics alike. And now, for all those spellbound by the tale of Prince Tristan, heir to the throne of Eutracia, his twin sister Princess Shailiha, the ancient wizard Wigg, and the fate of their enchanted land, there is indeed more—much more—to be told....
For three centuries, Eutracia was a kingdom at peace, ruled by a benevolent monarchy and guided by a council of wizards. But a horror from the past, long believed vanquished, returned with devastating fury. And when the battle against the bloodthirsty Sorceresses of the Coven was finally won, victory was not without its price. Now, the royal palace lies in ruins; the king and queen, the royal guard, and the Directorate of Wizards are dead; the land is lawless; and Prince Tristan—forced by the Coven to murder his father, the King—is a wanted man.
In a cavernous underground labyrinth, once headquarters of the wizards' council, Tristan has taken refuge with his sister, Shailiha, her infant daughter, the wizard Wigg—the lone surviving member of the Directorate—and the crippled wizard Faegan, returned from self-imposed exile in the forest of Shadowood. Together they face the daunting task of restoring order to Eutracia and winning back the allegiance of her subjects. But suddenly, even these challenges pale beside a truly terrifying turn of events. The sacred jewel that is the source of all magic has inexplicably begun to lose its power. Without its age-old enchantment to sustain their spells, the immortal wizards will perish... and magic will vanish from Eutracia forever.
At the same time, a mysterious and ruthless mercenary has declared a bounty upon the head of Prince Tristan. And an army of wizards on a mission to rid Eutracia of monsters created by the Coven has fallen prey to an insidious breed of creatures—beings that can only have sprung from forbidden use of malevolent magic. With time and their powers dwindling, Wigg and Faegan desperately seek to discover who, or what, has succeeded the dead Sorceresses in laying siege to Eutracia. But when the shocking truth is revealed, and an evil that transcends life itself is made known, it is Tristan, more than any other, who will be stunned to his very soul. And it is Tristan who will be thrust into the ultimate battle—for his life, his land, and the course of his destiny.
Customer Reviews:
Cumbersome and cluttered with disengaging phrases.......2005-05-10
Oh this was disingenuous fantasy. Newcomb appears to have no grasp of consistency or of the genre. I kept being thrown out of the book by simple things like knives pulled from "quivers" (Knives and daggers come form sheaths, braces, boots. Arrows come from quivers. A quiver may have a knife sheath on it but even then a quiver-knife comes from its sheath).
Also I was annoyed by the excessive use of made up phrases for ordinary things like the name of a season (something "crystal") when a simple word like "winter" would have sufficed.
If there is a festival or a cultural event during winter known as "blah-blah crystal" that is fine, but in this book it appeared that some simple things were made obscure just to make them seem exotic somehow.
Other inconsistencies that made me put the book down time after time were things like Tristan's sister being able to telepathically talk to butterflies as well as the crafted bird-like creatures, but for some reason the minions ("of day and night") don't have any immediate bond with her or any telepathic communication with her. Why is that so? I gathered from reading what I could that she was "forestalled" to be one their mistresses, (oh may be he's saving that for book three).
I could go on but I think I mostly agree with the review that lists other possible ways that the ubber-villain could stupidly die at just the right moment.
Perhaps the villain could suddenly explode for no apparent reason and then later while the good guys are licking their wounds they could just sit around and say that they have no idea what the `fraggle'. (Read that 'what the heck happened' - Gee its fun to make up nonsense phrases).
Finally the clincher of how bad this was. I only read this second book but from the beginning to the end there was a need for the protagonist to learn the Craft because he has the wunderblud that will make him the greatest, and by the end of the book he still hasn't done anything about it.
The hero sucked and was never in control of anything- much like the writing style of the book itself.
Just my opinion,
Stanley
The Gates of Dawn is an absolute must read!!!!.......2005-05-04
Robert Newcomb is an overwhelmingly awesome author. I can honestly say that the Fifth Sorceress series is one of my top three all-time favorites! He combines mystery with an "on-the-edge-of-your-seat" story. If I could only recommend only one book to you right now, I would, without hesitation, recommend The Fifth Sorceress! If you like Garth Nix, the Harry Potter series, or The Lord of the Rings like I do, then you will absolutely adore this book!
Not worth the pain.......2005-05-02
After dragging myself through the first book which was ponderous and hard to become interested in, I decided to give #2 a try. BIG MISTAKE! I should have read all of the reviews first, because I would have learned what a slow, poorly written mistake this book was. The hero is a bumbling hothead who gets himself into trouble, and his friends, through amazing leaps of logic, devise the trouble he is in and how to get him out of it without telling him first. The villan accidentally kills himself at the end as the hero lies dying... not much of a struggle, there. It was frustrating to go through all those pages only to find that the characters could have sat on their butts and got to the same conclusion without going through so much trouble. Don't bother.
Very UNDERwhelming.......2005-02-19
OK... I work in a 9 to 5 job and read books for a way to relax and wind down. So, typically, books with the same old themes and one dimensional characters don't bother me- I could use a little mindless relaxation...right?
When I finished with the first book's "arching eyebrow" annoyances, I gave the author the benefit of the doubt and bought the second book. Error.
How anti-climatic can you get?! Watch out, I might spoil this one for you- but the all powerful anti-hero, in essence, blows himself up. No classic struggle... nothing.
Newcomb, I have some ideas for future book endings where good prevails over an omnipotent evil foe:
1) The great villain could cut himself shaving and die of a rare infectious disease.
2) The great villain could get thrown from a horse and break his neck.
3) The great villain could trip near a desk and stab himself in the eye with his letter opener.
4) Heart attacks are always good.... It could be the final show down with the hero and the villain could have a heart attack from all the stress that comes from trying to takeover the world!
Save your time and go get a root canal; it will feel better than this book.
Better Than The First.......2005-01-02
I am going to say it again never listen to what these so called 'experts' say about a book ever. First off the book had me gripped pretty quickly and was far from 'dull.' It seems that these very people love to give raving reviews about just aweful novels such as "Across Nightingale Floor" and other baseless drivel like, "Seduced By Moonlight" yet another really stupid book. It's interesting to note that most people that don't like these books because the author expearences a lot of hard times with writing characters of the oppisite sex.
1. Every author has this problem, Robin Hobb's Fitz seems more female than male to me and actually does alot of things a guy would never do. I still like her books however.
2. Various female authors love to paint men as chauvinist or overly paint them as being that 'perfect' man like Starhawk. May I add they don't know the first thing about how a guy would actually act or behave under the circumstances.
3. George R.R. Martin has had problems writing female characters, he even admits it.
Robert Newcomb is a new author and is bound to make mistakes, all authors do and I dare anyone to find that so called perfect 'author' that never makes a mistake.
I happened to like the second book far more than most of the fantasy drivel like Goodkind or Jordan. He does need to work a little on the female characters but that isn't something that is unusual.
May I add that Tolkien's female characters actually had very little parts and were extremely under-developed but EVERYONE loves Tolkien! Get real folks.
Customer Reviews:
Another good 33 1/3 book.......2005-03-30
A wonderful little biography about Piper at the Gates of Dawn by (The) Pink Floyd; aka Syd Barrett's only full album with the Floyd. The book doesn't go into much detail about the formation of the band, nor goes into deep specifics about how each track was put together and developed; rather it takes a look at the moment in time when Piper was being made with first source interviews. The focus naturally lingers on Syd and his mental breakdown, but it is not the burden of the book.
The photo on the back.......2003-10-25
I enjoyed reading Kim Dyson's review of my book and I appreciate the attention to detail in mentioning the photo on the rear cover. There's one point I'd like to clarify: it wasn't taken with a similar sort of lense to the cover of "Piper", it was taken with the exact same lense by Vic Singh, who shot the original Pink Floyd sleeve image. Thought you might like to know!
I tried to submit this without filling in the star rating box and the form would not go through, so inevitably I had to give it five!!
Sensible about Syd.......2003-10-14
Nearly everything that gets written about early Floyd these days focuses on Syd too much. Sure, he was the driving force behind the band in many ways, but there's only so much you can say about drugs and insanity before it just becomes pure speculation and it gets boring. Thankfully John Cavanagh has avoided all of that in this new book about "The Piper at the gates of Dawn." What Cavanagh has done is to interview a lot of the people who surrounded Floyd in their earliest days. Friends of the band, studio engineers, managemenet, etc. Cavanagh has managed to get some very interesting material and comments from most of these people, and what I liked most about this book is the obvious affection that everyone still has for the band and for this album. That comes through strongly here. Cavanagh brings it all together with a good strong narrative and takes you through the album on pretty much a track by track basis. There was a good amount of new information and insight in this book. Cavanagh even tracks down the photographer who took the photograph on the album sleeve, and amusingly there is a photo of the author on the back of this book, using the same type of lens. I know that not all Floyd fans are fans of this album, but it's a good introduction to how the band came into being, and why this album is still so specia.
Average customer rating:
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The Wind in the Willows : The Gates of Dawn
Michel Plessix , and
Kenneth Grahame
Manufacturer: Nantier Beall Minoustchine Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Comics & Graphic Novels | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Grahame, Kenneth | ( G ) | Authors & Illustrators, A-Z | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Fiction | General | Animals | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Comic Strips | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
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General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books | Classics | Comic | Contemporary | Literary
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The Wind in the Willows (Signet Classics)
ASIN: 1561632457 |
Book Description
Kenneth Grahame¹s beloved classic, brought many times to the silver screen, finds its first adaptation into sumptuous comic art. His highly colorful characters, inimitable looniness and love of nature which emanates from every page have appealed to countless generations of readers, old and young.
Book Description
This collection of Edghill's finest short fantasy works includes: "The Piper at the Gate" where Mary Frances Baynes longs all her life for Real Magic and finally achieves it . . . at a price; "The Intersection of Anastasia Yeoman and Light" where a midlist SF-writer-turned-successful-editor gets a glimpse of the way her life could have gone; and the story of Ator, Jannifer, Ancel, and the Grail, set in ancient Britain and told by the son that Ator tried to kill as an infant, is told in "Prince of Exiles."
Customer Reviews:
fine short fantasy collection.......2003-06-15
Fans of short fantasy will appreciate this fine collection consisting of seventeen tales, all except one written in the last seven years. The stories run a wide gamut (as expected from an author who has entries in several genres) in the field so they are aimed more at a generalist. Each of the contributions is well written and fun to follow, as in most cases the fantasy elements seem real in spite of the relative size of the story. However, "The Prince of Exiles" was particularly fascinating as the narrator tells the tale of his family in Ancient Britannia especially once the reader understands who he is. Rosemary Edghill keeps her audience on the edge of their seat with this delightful anthology that will send fans seeking her novels and other works.
Harriet Klausner
Absolutely wonderful.......2003-06-12
I've already tried once to write a review for this terrific book, "Paying the Piper at the Gates of Dawn," but maybe it was swallowed up somehow.
No matter. This is a terrific, fabulous, absolutely wonderful book, in which just about every possible fantasy genre is represented, and quite a few different styles are, too.
There's "The Maltese Feline," humor and a detective send-up, all in one. There's "The Intersection of Anastasia Yeoman and Light," which shows how one woman's life could have been -- and could have been _again_. Very, very powerful, as well as oddly moving.
And yet, there's more!
There's "The Fairy Ring," truly an inspirational love story, as well as an unusual quest story/fairy tale; the Aesopian "Two Gray Horses," in which a young man does the right thing and is rewarded -- but not as much as you'd think; "Scandal," a story of swords and men -- but not quite the way you'd expect; and even a Boscobel League story, which harkens to the world "The Shadow of Albion" set up, where Silver Stick in Waiting makes the biggest mistake of his life, all to prevent his King from marrying a totally unsuitable woman.
And there's much more than this!
Let me put it this way; since receiving this book, I have read it four times. I've enjoyed it more every single time. And I think Ms. Edghill is one of the best s/f writers extant.
Go read this book already!
A story to please every appetite.......2003-06-10
"Paying the Piper at the Gates of Dawn" is one of the best short story anthologies I've ever read -- and every story here, every delightful one of them, has been written by one woman, Rosemary Edghill. It's very difficult to believe at first that one person can write in so many different styles, as there are quest stories here, fantasies, humorous fantasies, alternate historicals (of a sort), and many more. The earthshattering fantasy of "Prince of Exiles" and "Scandal" makes way for the more lighthearted "The Maltese Feline," stopping for the extraordinary fairy tale "The Fairy Ring." And there's much, much more; the Aesopian "Two Gray Horses," the alternate-history (personal) "The Intersection of Anastasia Yeoman and Light," the alternate-history overtones in "May Eve," and even a return to the Boscobel League (featured in Ms. Edghill's novels with Andre Norton, "Leopard in Exile" and "Shadow of Albion"), where Silver Stick in Waiting makes the biggest mistake of his career, in trying to prevent . . . well, you'll see. Ms. Edghill's writing career has spanned several genres, including Regency romance, science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and probably more I'm forgetting at the moment. And her short story collection reflects the same broad-based appeal as her novels, being as there are several wonderful stories almost too tough to classify except as the general, "Read this!" Now, I've read this collection at least four times so far (one of these days, I might share, but not just yet), and I enjoy it more every time. All I can say is, "Read this book! You won't regret it!"
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Gates of dawn (Harlequin romance)
Susan Barrie
Manufacturer: Harlequin Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books | Classics | Comic | Contemporary | Literary
ASIN: B0007KC51A |
Books:
- The Graveyard Shift
- The Headmaster's Papers: A Novel
- The House of Breath
- The Inmost Light
- The Lion Graphic Bible: The Whole Story from Genesis to Revelation
- The Memories of Ana Calderon
- The Millennium Girl
- The Museum of Unconditional Surrender
- The Silver Dove
- The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Arden Shakespeare: Third Series)
Books Index
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20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (Scholastic Classics)
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The Time Machine (Signet Classics)
The Mysterious Island (Modern Library Classics)
From the Earth to the Moon (Bantam Classics)
