The Weirdstone of Brisingamen: a Tale of Alderley
by Alan Garner
- Used
- very good
- Hardcover
- Condition
- Very Good/NONE
- Seller
-
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Collins, 1968-01-01. hardcover. Very Good/NONE. first collier edition, printed 1965. missing dust jacket. clean, sturdy, and unmarked - rw
Synopsis
The Weirdstone of Brisingamen is a children's fantasy novel by English author Alan Garner, first published in 1960. The novel is set in and around Macclesfield and Alderley Edge in Cheshire, and tells the story of two children, Colin and Susan, who are staying with some old friends of their mother's while their parents are overseas. Susan possesses a small tear-shaped jewel held in a bracelet: unknown to her, this is the Weirdstone of the title.
Reviews
On Oct 5 2014, a reader said:
Long before J.K. Rowling imagined a schoolboy wizard, Alan Garner delivered a classic novel that still stands head and shoulders above the recent spate of juvenile fantasies.
When siblings Colin and Susan are pursued by eerie creatures across Alderley Edge, they are saved by the Wizard. He takes them into the caves of Fundindelve, deep below the Edge, where he watches over the enchanted sleep of one hundred and forty knights. But the heart of the magic that binds them — Firefrost, the titular Weirdstone of Brisingamen, has been lost. Colin and Susan discover they are the key to the Weirdstone’s
return. But how can two children defeat the Morrigan and her deadly brood?
Alan Garner’s first novel still retains its magic, fifty years after its publication. It scores over most fantasies by setting the adventure in a very real environment, and adapting real folklore and myth to enrich the fantastical narrative. Those familiar with Alderley Edge will no doubt realise the potency of the landscape and the magic that surrounds it. Weirdstone captures this magical fusion and weaves it seamlessly throughout the story. Beautifully paced, innocently told and yet with shadowy recesses, this is a true classic.
Most welcome, then, is The Weirdstone of Brisingamen reissue in a special Fiftieth Anniversary hardback. Attractively bound, it has a new introduction by Garner giving background to the history and inspirations behind the novel. Although some may argue that the story is a little dated for today’s readers, this does nothing to diminish the storytelling and magic.
Arguably the best children’s fantasy ever written, and with the wealth of folklore within, it is required reading for adult fantasy readers too.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Amazing Books & Records (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- Sq31172
- Title
- The Weirdstone of Brisingamen: a Tale of Alderley
- Author
- Alan Garner
- Format/Binding
- Hardcover
- Book Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Jacket Condition
- NONE
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Publisher
- Collins
- Date Published
- 1968-01-01
Terms of Sale
Amazing Books & Records
30 day return guarantee, with full refund including original shipping costs for up to 30 days after delivery if an item arrives misdescribed or damaged.
About the Seller
Amazing Books & Records
Biblio member since 2016
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
About Amazing Books & Records
Amazing Books & Records is a Pittsburgh-based bricks-and-mortar store, with three locations in the city. We carry a wide range of well selected used books.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Jacket
- Sometimes used as another term for dust jacket, a protective and often decorative wrapper, usually made of paper which wraps...