The Worm Ouroboros (1922) is a high fantasy novel by E. R. Eddison. Inspired by the Norse sagas and medieval history, Eddison crafted an epic story of magic, adventure, romance, and war. Praised by New York Times critic Edwin Clark as a novel that "transcends all ordinary life," The Worm Ouroboros is frequently named among the greatest works of fantasy fiction ever produced. At their palace in Demonland, Lord Juss, his brothers Goldry and Spitfire, and their cousin Brandoch Daha receive an ambassador from Witchland. After a ...
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The Worm Ouroboros (1922) is a high fantasy novel by E. R. Eddison. Inspired by the Norse sagas and medieval history, Eddison crafted an epic story of magic, adventure, romance, and war. Praised by New York Times critic Edwin Clark as a novel that "transcends all ordinary life," The Worm Ouroboros is frequently named among the greatest works of fantasy fiction ever produced. At their palace in Demonland, Lord Juss, his brothers Goldry and Spitfire, and their cousin Brandoch Daha receive an ambassador from Witchland. After a brief introduction, the visiting dwarf reveals his business-King Gorice XI demands their absolute fealty. Rather than submit, however, Lord Juss challenges Gorice to a wrestling match with Goldry, to be held on the neutral Foliot Isles. Knowing the fate of Mercury hangs in the balance, Goldry fights bravely and defeats the wicked King. Through black magic, however, an evil sorcerer condemns Gordry to imprisonment on a mystical mountain peak. Distraught, Juss, Spitfire, and Brandoch return to Demonland to mount an army in order to march on the capital of the Witches, who have joined forces with Lord Gro of Goblinland. The Lords of Demonland break through enemy lines, making their way to the citadel of Carc�, where they mistakenly believe Goldry has been taken. The Worm Ouroboros is a story of bravery and betrayal by a master of high fantasy whose imaginative gifts have influenced generations of devoted readers. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of E. R. Eddison The Worm Ouroboros is a classic of British literature reimagined for modern readers.
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New. Sewn binding. Paper over boards. 408 p. Mint Editions (Fantasy and Fairytale). In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. Sewn binding. Paper over boards. 408 p. Mint Editions (Fantasy and Fairytale). In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Buy this book! Although practically no one has heard of it, it is fantastic. Eddison was a student of Medieval literature and his story follows the style of the old Norse saga. After a hundred pages you will say, ?This is a mavelous adventure story.? After two hundred pages you will say, ?These characters are fantastic!? And they are ? especially the villains. King Gorice XII makes your flesh creep.
By the way, an ouroboros is the snake that bites its own tail and becomes the symbol for a never-ending situation. King Gorice wears an ouroboros signet ring and that's significant because when one king dies, another is instantly ready to take his place. But there is another significance to the ouroboros ? but you'll have to read the book to learn it.
The language is very formal: lots of thees, thous and methinks. But the characters are formal and the story is formal, so the language is appropriate. It is sort of in the style of Le Morte D'Arthur.
If you don't enjoy this book, you simply have no taste for fantasy literature.
kbaier
Jun 2, 2007
epic story
The story starts off by a man named Lessingham from earth who is taken to mercury. Strangely though he quickly drops out the the picture by the time the story gets under way, and is on mention one other time later in the story.
The real meat of the book is of the conquest of lands, uses of magic, and of adventurous journeys. I think Tolkien along with C.S. Lewis found this book to be quite good fantasy.
The book is filled with masterfully drawn characters and memorable lands. The author also makes good use of prose and poetry, and here and there uses an older english diction; which I found very beautiful.