‘An eccentric masterpiece’ — Ursula K. Le Guin
‘A new climate of the imagination’ — C. S. Lewis
‘A masterpiece’ — James Stephens
This is the book that shaped the landscape of contemporary science fiction and fantasy. When The Lord of the Rings first appeared, the critics inevitably compared it to this 1922 landmark work. Tolkien himself frankly acknowledged its influence, with warm praise for its imaginative appeal. The story of a remote planet’s great war between two kingdoms, it ranks as the Iliad of heroic fantasy.
In the best traditions of Homeric epics, Norse sagas, and Arthurian myths, author E. R. Eddison weaves a compelling adventure, with a majestic, Shakespearean narrative style. His sweeping tale recounts battles between warriors and witches on fog-shrouded mountaintops and in the ocean’s depths — along with romantic interludes, backroom intrigues, and episodes of direst treachery. Generations of readers have joyfully lost themselves in the timeless worlds of The Worm Ouroboros. This new edition, magnificently illustrated with the classic original images, continues the enchantment.
Table of Content
Table of Contents
Illustrations
Dedication
The Induction
I. The Castle of Lord Juss
II. The Wrastling for Demonland
III. The Red Foliot
IV. Conjuring in the Iron Tower
V. King Gorice’s Sending
VI. The Claws of Witchland
VII. Guests of the King in Carcë
VIII. The First Expedition to Impland
IX. Salapanta Hills
X. The Marchlands of the Moruna
XI. The Burg of Eshgrar Ogo
XII. Koshtra Pivrarcha
XIII. Koshtra Belorn
XIV. The Lake of Ravary
XV. Queen Prezmyra
XVI. The Lady Sriva’s Embassage
XVII. The King flies his Haggard
XVIII. The Murther of Gallandus by Corsus
XIX. Thremnir’s Heugh
XX. King Corinius
XXI. The Parley before Krothering
XXII. Aurwath and Switchwater
XXIII. The Weird begun of Ishnain Nemartra
XXIV. A King in Krothering
XXV. Lord Gro and the Lady Mevrian
XXVI. The Battle of Krothering Side
XXVII. The Second Expedition to Impland
XXVIII. Zora Rach nam Psarrion
XXIX. The Fleet at Muelva
XXX. Tidings of Melikaphkhaz
XXXI. The Demons before Carcë
XXXII. The Latter End of all the Lords of Witchland
XXXIII. Queen Sophonisba in Galing
Argument: with Dates
Bibliographical Note on the Verses