Fifty-One Tales by Lord Dunsany is a collection of short stories and prose pieces that delve into fantasy, mythology, and philosophical themes. The tales are often very short, atmospheric, and quirky, with some being twists on myths or fables. The writing style is described as poetic and literary, with a focus on irony, satire, humor, and sheer poetry packed into concise narratives.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is characterized by rich, poetic prose with a rhythmic quality, balancing humor and philosophical undertones in its succinct delivery.

Plot/Storyline:

The collection features themes reflecting the conflict between technology and nature, often through anthropomorphized figures and mythical retellings, conveying a sense of societal decline.

Setting:

Settings are often mythic, reflecting nature and urban environments like London or the Irish countryside through a fantastical lens.

Pacing:

The pacing is fast, with most stories being quick reads, although some may feel repetitive due to recurring themes.

I was climbing round the perilous outside of the Palace of Colquonhombros. So far below me that in the tranquil twilight and clear air of those lands I could only barely see them lay the craggy tops o...

Notes:

Fifty-One Tales is a collection of mini stories by Lord Dunsany, published in 1915.

The stories often reflect themes of industrialism and the bleakness of modernity.

Dunsany's writing style is described as ornate and poetic, resembling prose more than traditional storytelling.

The collection includes compact stories that can take just minutes to read, many of which are fables or parables.

Death and anthropomorphized concepts feature prominently in the tales, alongside themes of nature versus technology.

Lord Dunsany significantly influenced fantasy writers like J.R.R. Tolkien, H.P. Lovecraft, and Ursula K. Le Guin.

Despite being short, the tales are complete and offer a variety of tones from humorous to haunting.

The stories are mostly vignettes that explore philosophical ideas and myths, sometimes in a mythic context.

Readers appreciate the brevity of the stories, as they can finish one quickly without needing to bookmark.

Dunsany's influence is noted in modern fantasy, making this collection essential for enthusiasts of the genre.

From The Publisher:

As the title suggests this collection holds fifty-one of the kind of stories that helped make Lord Dunsany a fantasy legend. Poetic prose, magical lands, old gods, atmospheric castles, ghosts, magic, power, and majesty fill these pages. "Thus spake the mountains: "Behold us, even us; the old ones, the grey ones, that wear the feet of Time. Time on our rocks shall break his staff and stumble: and still we shall sit majestic, even as now, hearing the sound of the sea, our old coeval sister, who nurses the bones of her children and weeps for the things she has done."

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Fifty-One Tales

Lord Dunsany

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From The Publisher:

Ratings (1)

Reader Stats (10):

What can you read after Fifty-One Tales?

What can you read after
Fifty-One Tales?