The King of Elfland's Daughter
Lord Dunsany
Read by Michele Fry
This is a 1924 fantasy novel by Anglo-Irish writer Lord Dunsany, which became public domain in January 2020. It is widely recognized as one of the most acclaimed works in all of fantasy literature. Highly influential upon the fantasy genre as a whole, the novel was particularly formative in the subgenres of "fairytale fantasy" and "high fantasy". And yet, it deals always with the truth: the power of love, the allure of nature, the yearning for contentment, the desire for fame, the quest for immortality, and the lure and the fear of magic. Arthur C. Clarke said this novel helped cement Dunsany as "one of the greatest writers of this century". Receiving numerous accolades, Gahan Wilson called it "likely Dunsany's masterpiece", concluding "it could be the very best fairy story ever written". This reader agrees, describing it as the most sensuous piece of writing she has ever recorded . . . simple, lilting, alluring, suggestive, mesmerizing, invigorating, inspiring, and thoroughly original. (Summary by Wikipedia and Soloist, Michele Fry) (7 hr 17 min)
Chapters
Reviews
Beautiful
SevenLivelyArts
This is my favorite work by Lord Dunsany. It's like an extended piece of prose poetry. It's not really driven by plot, so you have to take it at its own pace. It feels like something created in its own world. It's so unusual to hear a story of Elves and Men that seems to come from a completely different well of inspiration than what inspired Tolkien.
Reader review
Michele Fry
I finally listened to this book, not with the critical hat of the reader, but freshly, as a listener might do. I was stunned and amazed at Dunsany’s wave after wave of imagination, his ability sustain the tale with new twists and turns, and most especially, with how he portrayed, like no other tale I know of, the power of love to move mountains.
Classic Fairy Story
BecKyle
The King of Elfland's Daughter is a fanciful, classic fairy story with a satisfying end. The reader was a little stilted at first, but she gained her rhythm quickly and did an excellent reading.
Charles Wright
Excellent reader. Lord Dunsany is a master of poetic prose but the story tends to wander about. Best to listen in short doses.
A LibriVox Listener
The reader is perfect for this story, her voice ebb and flows with the rhyme.