So, Tor Books has announced a new, fiftieth anniversary edition of Patricia McKillip's masterpiece, THE FORGOTTEN BEASTS OF ELD.
I consider this one of the greatest works of fantasy literature. If I had a top ten list, this wd be on it. Not as well known as the Riddlemaster trilogy, but far better.
Here's the announcement from Tor.
And here's the write-up I did of it for CLASSICS OF FANTASY, more than a decade ago now:
http://www.isegoria.net/2012/02/the-forgotten-beasts-of-eld/
--John R.
6 comments:
I'm pleased they're re-releasing this great work, but though I loved it on first encounter I haven't re-read it much, and while I agree that the Riddle-master trilogy was a bit disappointing in comparison to its ambition, for me Forgotten Beasts does not stand out among McKillip's masterpieces the way that, say, Watership Down is Richard Adams's greatest book (an opinion widely shared) or that Always Coming Home is Ursula Le Guin's (an opinion rarely shared).
I have to agree. It really is a must read for any fan of the genre. Funnily enough my mom worked with the author's sister! Probably the nicest lady I ever met.
Dear David:
I think a lot of people share your experience of McKillip's work being much of a muchness, but for me THE FORGOTTEN BEASTS OF ELD stands out. The two major shifts in the story, when the heroine puts her plan to become a villainess into effect and the final eucatastrophe (one of the most moving in fantasy) lift it above the rest.
I've read a lot of Adams but not all; from what I have read I agree with you.
I finally got through ALWAYS COMING HOME a few month ago and I think it was her deliberate choice to write exactly what she wanted: no compromise, just see where her muse wd take her. I much prefer her short stories.
--John R.
Dear Northtroll:
I know almost nothing about McKillip's life. Hope that someone researches, writers, and publishes a monogram on her life and works. There are many far worse writers who have gotten more attention.
--John R.
There's one book about McKillip: Patricia A. McKillip and the art of fantasy world-building by Audrey Isabel Taylor (McFarland). It's workmanlike, not biographical. I hope more books will come along.
When news of McKillip's death first got out, Terri Windling put up a set of three posts on her blog about McKillip, her works, and her approach to writing fantasy. The posts contains links to lots of other resources related to McKillip:
https://www.terriwindling.com/blog/2022/05/pat-mckillip.html
https://www.terriwindling.com/blog/2022/05/patricia-mckillip.html
https://www.terriwindling.com/blog/2022/05/writing-magic.html
I always had this impression of McKillip as an author who very much "flew under the rader" for many people. Maybe not so much for Mythopoeic Society members, as she has more nominations and awards for the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award than any other author. But I wonder if that "flying under the radar" means that we will need to wait longer for more books about her.
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