A Nebula Award winner presents tales that shaped modern science fiction and fantasy—five complete novels by Mark Twain, H. G. Wells, and more.In this handpicked collection, New York Times–bestselling author Greg Bear travels back to the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when novelists let their imaginations soar beyond conventional boundaries of time and space and contributed to the emergence of imaginative new literary genres.In 1889, ...

Comparison with Other Works: The Worm Ouroboros is often compared with J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings (which it predates by 32 years). Tolkien read The Worm Ouroboros, and praised it in print. C. S. Lewis wrote a short preface to an anthology of Eddison's works, including The Worm Ouroboros, concluding that "No writer can be said to remind us of Eddison." About the Book The Worm Ouroboros is a heroic high fantasy novel by Eric Rucker EDDISON, first published in 1922. The book des...

We rely on your support to help us keep producing beautiful, free, and unrestricted editions of literature for the digital age. Will you support our efforts with a donation ? The viking king Eric the Victorious rules his realm jointly with his brother, Olaf. Olaf's queen gives birth to their only son, Biorn, and Olaf dies soon after; thus Eric adopts Biorn, giving him the epithet "Styrbiorn" because of his quick temper and stubborn disposition. As Styrbiorn matures, he seeks to seize the c...

E. R. Eddison's The Worm Ouroboros is a monumental work of high fantasy, renowned for its rich, ornate prose, sweeping epic battles, and imaginative world-building. First published in 1922, the novel is considered a cornerstone of classic fantasy literature, predating and influencing many later legends of heroic quests and intricate imaginary realms. Set in the mythical lands of Mercury, the story chronicles the epic struggle between the proud, noble heroes of Demonland and the sinister fo...

The novel follows the epic adventures of several larger-than-life characters, including lords, warriors, sorcerers, and demons. They engage in epic battles, political intrigues, and quests, all set against a backdrop of fantastical landscapes and mythical creatures. The story is filled with elements of heroism, honor, magic, and grandeur, evoking a sense of mythic and heroic storytelling.One of the notable aspects of "The Worm Ouroboros" is Eddison's elaborate prose, which is often describ...

We’ve assembled an amazing selection of stories for readers who love variety. First up, five mystery stories: an original set in the glamorous world of film by Elizabeth Elwood (thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), a gripping pulp thriller by Richard Deming, a moonshine-drenched tale from David Heska Wanbli Weiden (thanks to Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman), and a dark crime story by Donald A. Ranard. And, of course, no issue would be complete without a new solve-it-yourself puzzler ...

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 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...

The Worm Ouroboros is often compared with J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings (which it predates by 32 years). Tolkien read The Worm Ouroboros, and praised it in print. C. S. Lewis wrote a short preface to an anthology of Eddison's works, including The Worm Ouroboros, concluding that "No writer can be said to remind us of Eddison."The Worm Ouroboros is a heroic high fantasy novel by Eric Rucker EDDISON, first published in 1922. The book describes the protracted war between the dominee...

In "The Worm Ouroboros," E. R. Eddison crafts a grand tapestry of heroic fantasy, intricately woven with allegory and rich, archaic prose. Set in a mythical realm where noble houses vie for dominance, the narrative centers on the epic conflict between the kingdoms of Witchland and Aelfrice. Eddison's literary style echoes that of classical epics, filled with poetic dialogues and vivid imagery, resonating with the aesthetics of Old English literature. The novel invites readers to explore th...

E. R. Eddison's "The Worm Ouroboros" is a rich and imaginative high fantasy novel, blending elements of epic poetry with prose to create a narrative steeped in mythic grandeur. Set in the fantastical world of Zoar, the plot revolves around the tumultuous rivalry between the kingdoms of Demonland and Witchland, evoking a sense of timeless conflict reminiscent of ancient epics. Eddison's elaborate language and intricate world-building draw heavily from classical literature and Norse mytholog...

The Worm Ouroboros (1922) is a high fantasy novel by E. R. Eddison. Inspired by the Norse sagas and medieval history, Eddison crafted an epic story of magic, adventure, romance, and war. Praised by New York Times critic Edwin Clark as a novel that “transcends all ordinary life,” The Worm Ouroboros is frequently named among the greatest works of fantasy fiction ever produced. At their palace in Demonland, Lord Juss, his brothers Goldry and Spitfire, and their cous...

The book that set the stage for Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings', 'The Worm Ouroboros' tells a sweeping tale of political – and mystical - battles between heroic warriors, witches on crooked mountaintops and the ocean's darkest depths. Interlaced with brewing romances and devilish trickery, The Lords of Demonland go head-to-head with the Lords of Witchland in one epic fantasy. Crafted with expert language, Eddison provides a reading experience like no other. 'The Worm Ouroboros' is ideal ...