Faerie Tale

[Nesacat]

I liked his concept of the world of faerie and his description of the faieries interactuion with the world of humans. His faeries are full-blooded and well fleshed out.

The storyline was interesting and it uses a great deal of folklore and science as well. It is well worth the read though some parts are rather dark and may be upsetting since much of it involves young children.

It would make a good movie but I have a feeling that Hollywood would feel the need to whitewash it.

 

[Pyan]

Thanks, SA, Joel, Cat - I'll give it a go.

 

[WizardofOwls]

If you like this book (personally, I LOVED it!) you should check into these:

Charles De Lint - Almost ANYTHING! My most favorote author
Emma Bull - War for the Oaks
Raymond E. Feist - Faerie Tale
C. E. Murphy - Urban Shaman, Thunderbird Falls, Coyote Dreams, and Banshee Cries (a short story in the book called Winter Moon)
James A. Hetley - The Summer Country, The Winter Oak
Mercedes Lackey - Sacred Ground, Jinx High, Burning Water, Children of the Night
Holly Black - Tithe, Valiant
Pamela Dean - Tam Lin
Kat Richardson - Greywalker

 

[woodsman]

Whats war for the oaks about?

 

[WizardofOwls]

I found this at:

The Dragon's Keeper - War for the Oaks: A Novel

From Publishers Weekly

Originally published by Ace in 1987, this reprint of a minor fantasy cult classic should attract new readers with its appealing and unusual blend of the world of rock and roll performers with the coexistent world of Faerie. Guitarist and singer Eddi McCandry has just left a floundering band and is organizing a new one when a phouka, a man who at times is a talking dog, becomes her guardian at the behest of the Faerie Folk. Eddi soon finds herself involved with warring Faerie groups, the Seelie Court and its noble queen versus the Unseelie Court, ruled by the evil Queen of Air and Darkness. The Seelie Court has chosen Eddi because there's "power in a mortal soul that all of Faerie cannot muster." Eddi's tart humor helps lend reality. When the phouka says, "Forth to honor and glory," she responds, "Get stuffed." For many readers, the fey qualities of the wispy fantasy may be enough; Eddi even labels her new band Eddi and the Feys. The strength of the novel, however, is in the nonfantasy scenes. These demonstrate a sure knowledge of rock music and the field, and contribute to the climax, a struggle between Eddi and the dark queen at a concert. In an appendix of special interest to fans, Bull (Bone Dance, etc.) includes excerpts of a screenplay version of the book she and her husband, Will Shetterly, wrote. A film appears an unlikely bet, but the author's prose portrayal of Faerie infringing on the real world remains an imaginative triumph.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

 

[woodsman]

Okay, thanks I'll look it up. A little different from other stuff I've read - which is no bad thing!

 

[Mithridelle]

I thought that it was a good read. Not one of my favourites, but certainly one that I would read again.

 

[Constantine Opal]

I loved this book. Particularly the way it touched upon the legend of Wayland Smith, the farrier, and Feists description of the spicey earthy smell whenever he was around. Completely different from other all out fantasy books, but made all the more fantastical because of the interaction with 'real life matters'. Blinkin' brilliant!

 

[Kulgan]

Having 'lived' in Midkemia for so long, I was thinking when I got this book that it wouldn't live up to the Midkemia novels, but that wasn't the case. Ray came through again, this time concocting a tale that was a lot of fun because it was set in in a contemporary time frame. I thoroughly recommend it to any fant fan and particularly to REF fans.

 

[Constantine Opal]

I read Magician, Darkness at Sethanon et al whilst on holiday years ago when I was oooh in my late teens/early twenties, and happened to be listening to Inspiral Carpets on my personal stereo (cassette!) at the time. Now every time I hear them I think of Midkemia. That shows how long ago it was that I read them and they are still so fresh in my mind.

 

[Kulgan]

Bit of an age difference there - when Faerie Tale was published I was 41.

 

[Constantine Opal]

Bit of an age difference there - when Faerie Tale was published I was 41.

Never too old Kulgan, never too old!

 

[Kulgan]

Thank you, my dear. Ishap's blessings upon you.

 

[kythe]

I just finished Faerie Tale and I really enjoyed the magic of it. I love the blending of mythology into "real world" history.

The pacing of the story left something to be desired. The first 3 quarters were interesting enough to keep reading, but not really captivating. Despite extensive character dialogue, the characters still felt shallow and the plot was rather predictable.

But the last quarter - the section called "The Fool" - really swept me off my feet. I love the vivid descriptions of the faeries and their world, and the way everything came together in the end.

 

[SilentRoamer]

I really like Feist and think this was particularly well placed and well plotted with a very interesting cast of believable characters.

 

[BAYLOR]

Underrated and excellent fantasy novel. I always thought that this one would make a great feature film.