Silverlock

There are a few fantasy novels that are truly sui generis. From the opening ("If I had cared to live, I would have died" one of the best narrative hooks ever!) to its satisfying return of the protagonist to the Real World, this book does not let up as it romps through English literature (with bits of American and other classical tropes tossed in). If you don't know the book, you probably aren't going to buy a hardcover even at this reasonable price; if you do know the book, you probably want a better jacket. So: here's a placeholder copy that you can read and reread. I'll add a jacket protector if you like, but this jacket is hardly worth protecting. Previous owner's name sticker on half-title.


While I have your attention, let me say that Myers' other novels from before 1960 are paced in a very similar way -- they don't have the sense of a romp through literature, but The Wild Yazoo and Dead Warrior are both great introductions to the American West, and Out on Any Limb is an amusing UK historical. The Moon's Fire-Eating Daughter, a nominal sequel to Silverlock, struck me as ponderous, not an adjective I'd use for anything else he wrote. His non-fiction books about the West (those I've read) are also amusing, as is his collection of 3 long narrative poems (Maverick Zone). If you haven't checked his other books, please do so.