Thomas the Rhymer (novel)

Thomas the Rhymer
Cover of the first edition of Thomas the Rhymer.
Author	Ellen Kushner
Cover artist	Thomas Canty
Language	English
Genre	Speculative fiction
Publisher	William Morrow & Co
Publication date	January 1, 1990
Pages	247

Thomas the Rhymer is a fantasy novel written by Ellen Kushner. It is based on the ballad of Thomas the Rhymer, a piece of folklore in which Thomas Learmonth's love of the Queen of Elfland was rewarded with the gift of prophecy. The novel won the 1991 World Fantasy Award^[1] and Mythopoeic Award.

Plot summary

Thomas, a harper from court, befriends a humble farmer and his wife. As he begins a relationship with Elspeth, their neighbor, he is whisked to Elfland, ensnared by the Fairy Queen. After seven years he returns to Gavin, Meg, and Elspeth with a parting gift from the Queen: He can only speak the truth.

Characters

Thomas

A minstrel who sang in the king's court. Before he is captured by the Fairy Queen, he is a carefree young man.

Elspeth

A young woman who falls in love with Thomas. In the seven years of his absence, her hard life makes her cynical.

Gavin

A rather simple crofter who takes Thomas in.

The Queen of Elfland

Although powerful and beautiful, the Fairy Queen can be unmerciful. While she does release Thomas after seven years as her lover, she never truly lets him go.

Meg

Gavin's wife who sees value in Thomas and believes him when others don't

Awards

1991 World Fantasy Award
1991 Mythopoeic Award
2009 Tähtifantasia Award for the best foreign fantasy novel released in Finland in 2008.

References

↑ World Fantasy Convention. "Award Winners and Nominees". Retrieved 4 Feb 2011.

External links

Ellen Kushner's Thomas the Rhymer

World Fantasy Award for Best Novel

1975–2000	The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia A. McKillip (1975) Bid Time Return by Richard Matheson (1976) Doctor Rat by William Kotzwinkle (1977) Our Lady of Darkness by Fritz Leiber (1978) Gloriana by Michael Moorcock (1979) Watchtower by Elizabeth A. Lynn (1980) The Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe (1981) Little, Big by John Crowley (1982) Nifft the Lean by Michael Shea (1983) The Dragon Waiting by John M. Ford (1984) Mythago Wood by Robert Holdstock (1985, tie) Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart (1985, tie) Song of Kali by Dan Simmons (1986) Perfume by Patrick Suskind (1987) Replay by Ken Grimwood (1988) Koko by Peter Straub (1989) Lyonesse: Madouc by Jack Vance (1990) Only Begotten Daughter by James Morrow (1991, tie) Thomas the Rhymer by Ellen Kushner (1991, tie) Boy's Life by Robert R. McCammon (1992, tie) Last Call by Tim Powers (1993) Glimpses by Lewis Shiner (1994) Towing Jehovah by James Morrow (1995) The Prestige by Christopher Priest (1996) Godmother Night by Rachel Pollack (1997) The Physiognomy by Jeffrey Ford (1998) The Antelope Wife by Louise Erdrich (1999) Thraxas by Martin Scott (2000)

2001–present	Declare by Tim Powers (2001, tie) Galveston by Sean Stewart (2001, tie) The Other Wind by Ursula K. Le Guin (2002) The Facts of Life by Graham Joyce (2003, tie) Ombria in Shadow by Patricia A. McKillip (2003, tie) Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton (2004) Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke (2005) Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami (2006) Soldier of Sidon by Gene Wolfe (2007) Ysabel by Guy Gavriel Kay (2008) The Shadow Year by Jeffrey Ford (2009, tie) Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan (2009, tie) The City & the City by China Miéville (2010)

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