The King of Elfland's Daughter
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 dust-jacket of The King of Elfland's Daughter |
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| Author | Lord Dunsany |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | G. P. Putnam's Sons |
| Released | 1924 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback) |
| Pages | 301 pp |
| ISBN | NA |
The King of Elfland's Daughter is a 1924 fantasy novel written by Lord Dunsany. Among the pioneering works of modern fantasy,[1] written before the genre was named, it was reprinted in 1969 as part of the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series, and in the Fantasy Masterworks series. It contains elements of both the (later-named) subgenres of fairytale fantasy and high fantasy.
Two members of Steeleye Span (Bob Johnson and Pete Knight) created an concept album The King of Elfland's Daughter inspired by the book.
[edit] Plot summary
The lord of Erl is told by the parliament of his people that they want to be ruled by a magic lord. Obeying the immemorial custom, the lord sends his son Alveric to fetch the King of Elfland's daughter, Lirazel, to be his bride. He makes his way to Elfland, where time passes at a rate far slower than the real world, and wins her. They return to Erl and have a son, but in the manner of fairy brides of folklore, she fits uneasily with his people. She returns to the waiting arms of her father in Elfland, and her lovesick husband goes searching for her, abandoning the kingdom of Erl and wandering in a now-hopeless quest. However, Lirazel becomes lonesome for her mortal husband and son. Seeing that she is unhappy, the King of Elfland uses a powerful magic to engulf the land of Erl. Erl is transformed into a part of Elfland, and Lirazel and her loved ones are reunited forever in an eternal, enchanted world.
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Philip Raines, "review of The King of Elfland's Daughter"
[edit] References
- Bleiler, Everett (1948). The Checklist of Fantastic Literature. Chicago: Shasta Publishers, 104.
