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The Worm Ouroboros

by E.R. Eddison · 1926

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This is the book that shaped the landscape of contemporary science fiction and fantasy. When The Lord of the Ringsfirst 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 Iliadof heroic fantasy.

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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 is illustrated with the classic original images.]

Genre
fantasyfantasyMore like thisLess of thisscience fictionscience fictionMore like thisLess of thisepic fantasyepic fantasyMore like thisLess of thissword and sorcerysword and sorceryMore like thisLess of thisadventureadventureMore like thisLess of this
Themes
gothicgothicMore like thisLess of this
Audience
adult
Length
long · 446 pages
Form
poetrypoetryMore like thisLess of this

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“People who read The Worm Ouroboros tend to reach for these next.”

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“If you want more of the same (fantasy about gothic), start with these.”

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“If it was the classics that hooked you, try one of these.”

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  2. Silverlock John Myers Myers · 1949
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  4. The Charwoman's Shadow Lord Dunsany · 1926

“These start from a similar idea, even if they go somewhere else with it.”

  1. The Valley of Amazement Amy Tan · 2013
  2. The Heir of Night Helen Lowe · 2010
  3. The Knight Gene Wolfe · 2004
  4. Tolkien: A Look Behind the Lord of the Rings Lin Carter · 1969

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