Alan Garner Resident Scholar Profiles
TOP SCHOLAR: Michael JR Jose
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| Review Summary |
This exciting tale of magic and myth fits neatly between the most excellent Hobbit, and the Harry Potter series. It is set in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, which is a shire in the Midlands of Britain. Colin and Susan move to their relations who own a farm and have their roots deep in the soil of the land. The tale of the knights who lie in a magical sleep underground; never aging, guarded by ancient magic and a lonely wizard, is well known to the locals. They will awake from Fundindelve in the foretold hour of Britain's need, when Nastrond will return in power to destroy or enslave all free peoples, and Ragnarok will swallow all the good and true. But, by a slip that may yet prove fatal, the jewel Firefrost is lost. It is the key and heart to the deep spells protecting the sleepers. If it falls into the hands of the enemy they will unmake it.
Alan Garner is the best imitator of Tolkien that I know of who, while being clearly inspired by him, manages to create his own heroes and villains. We breath the air of a bygone age, but the witches drive cars and use the telephone. The dwarves, elves, shape-shifters and svarts must hide themselves or blend into modern society as best they can. The dark side are there, and not always easy to spot. In this respect J.K. Rowling has exactly followed Garner. But Garner writes in good prose, and uses the myths with skill. His characters are real, and we do care about what happens to them. The dialogue, uses some dialect, and is very realistic. Plastic bags exist in this world, and they are vital in the escape from the mines (which really do go back to the Bronze Age of Britain). However, the word 'plastic' is kept out of the dwarf who speaks to Colin, as it would jar and be out of context in the underworld of the dwarves and svarts. As I discovered Garner as a youngster before I read Tolkien I have a lot to thank him for, and I can but recommend this and the sequel (The Moon of Gomrath) to you.
Michael JR Jose, Resident Scholar
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Plot
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- fantasy world/fantasy past
Tech./$$$/Info hunt
Yes
Stealing/recovering/destroying
- magical artifact
Mental/magical powers focus
Yes
magical powers:
- clash between evenly matched magical power(s) (fantasy)
- good magical powers hunting non/weaker magical(s) (fantasy)
If an invasion, from Earth/human POV:
- fighting overt invasion (attacking aliens)
War or Invasion
Yes
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Kid's book (ages 7-14)
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- mage/magician
Age:
- long lived adults
Has magical/special powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character:
- can cast many different spells
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- magical being
Age:
- long-lived adults
Profession/status:
- mage/magician
Has magical powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist:
- fire/thunder/weather cntrl
- mind control
- can cast all sorts of spells
- Invisibility
Eccentric:
Yes
- obsessed
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a little/some
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- missing body parts/abilities
Setting
Terrain
- Mountains
- Forests
- Domed/Underground City
Earth setting:
- 20th century
- during "Tolkien" (fairytime) times
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately detailed references to deaths
How much dialogue?
- significantly more descript than dialog
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