Lavondyss
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Author | Robert Holdstock |
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| Cover Artist | Larry Rostant |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Mythago Wood series |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Orb Books |
| Released | 1988 |
| Media Type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 414 pp |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-7653-0731-6 |
| Preceded by | Mythago Wood |
Lavondyss is the second book of the Mythago Wood series by award winning author Robert Holdstock and was originally published in 1988. It's not a direct sequel to Mythago Wood (ie it doesn't pick up where that book left off) instead it features all new characters. Only one of the main characters from Mythago Wood makes a 'guest' appearance, yet the whereabouts of that person are what drives the actions of the main protagonist in Lavondyss. It's not essential to read Mythago Wood first, but it helps - on a similar note, it is recommended that the details here on Wikipedia regarding Mythago Wood are read first as that touches on issues and terminology mentioned in this particular entry.
[edit] Plot introduction
In tone, Lavondyss is a 'darker' book than its predecessor and has a different narrative viewpoint (third person as opposed to first person). The story is set in the 1950's (Mythago Wood was set in the 1940's) and the main character is one Tallis Keeton, younger sister of Harry Keeton from the earlier book. Lavondyss starts with Tallis's grandfather and his efforts to write down some of his encounters with the Mythagos from the nearby Ryhope Wood, Tallis is still a baby at this point. The story soon jumps forward a few years where Tallis and her development is concentrated upon - it is at this point that the story shows her developing relationship with the land around her house and the Mythagos from the wood. This development continues throughout the book as periods in her life from baby to child to teenager to young woman are shown to the reader.
[edit] Plot summary
During her formative years Tallis encounters the British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams (not a Mythago, but real flesh and blood). Tallis sings him a song she thinks she has made up herself, but the composer identifies its tune as that of a folk song collected by the real Williams in Norfolk. Slowly Tallis's links with the wood intensify. She makes masks which, within the context of the story, help to engage certain parts of her subconscious and so link her with the characters and landscapes which are forming within the wood. When properly used (especially later in the book) these masks allow her to see things that cannot be seen without them, plus they can be used to create 'Hollowings', pathways in space and time which allow her to step into far off places within the wood which would otherwise take days, weeks or even months to travel to on foot.
Before setting foot in the wood Tallis has one particular encounter that has major repercussions through the rest of the story - with the 'help' of one of the Mythagos she 'hollows' (creates a Hollowing) a 'vision' of a young warrior dying beneath a tree. Not so coincidentally this occurs as Tallis is entering puberty - her romanticised desire to help this young warrior makes for some interesting developments later in the book and an understanding of his own mythological ancestry.
Tallis eventually meets up with a character (human, not Mythago) who was only mentioned in the earlier book - he is now living in the wood as a Shaman to a small village of ancient people. Through his understanding of the wood (which he studied with the scientist George Huxley from the first book) Tallis herself gains an understanding of her connections with all that surrounds her; most importantly, she asks him how she might find her lost brother Harry Keeton .....
Lavondyss has won a number of awards including the BSFA Award for Best Novel in 1988.
Holdstock continued the story of Ryhope Wood with The Hollowing.
