April 2019 Recommended Reading/Viewing

[Coír Draoi Ceítien]

Well, the bad news is that I've been so distracted recently that I really haven't been doing any reading at all, and I'm running out of good fantasy movies. However, rather than resort to last month's tactics, which seemed to have been either unpopular or totally ignored, I'll just recommend what I've stalled on but intended to include and pull from a film previously discussed in the forums. Hopefully, it'll make for some good April memories as Spring sets in.

Reading: The King of Elfland's Daughter (1924) by Lord Dunsany

One of the earliest classics of modern 20th-century fantasy, this lyrical novel was rescued from relative obscurity during the paperback fantasy boom of the 60's and 70's and is now regarded as indispensably influential to the development of fairytale and high fantasy. It is the story of the courtship of the princess of Elfland by a prince sent "beyond the fields we know" by a parliament of men who wish to be ruled over by a magical lord; he brings her to his own kingdom and they have a son, but she remains aloof from the world of men, estranged from even her own mortal family, and when the King of Elfland schemes to return her home, the prince goes off once more on a hopeless quest to find Elfland again. A fairytale for the modern world, reminiscent of the joys and sorrows of the past, it is hopefully sure to please those who love the telling of a good story.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/King-Elflands-Daughter-Novel-Impact/dp/034543191X/ref=tmm_pap_title_1?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1554147918&sr=8-3
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/King-Elflands-Daughter-Lord-Dunsany-ebook/dp/B01DI5KIDC/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1554147918&sr=8-3



Viewing: Willow (Ron Howard, 1988)

Sprung from the mind of Star Wars creator George Lucas, this high fantasy finds a dwarven farmer and wizard-in-training coming into possession of a human baby who is destined to overthrow the evil sorceress-queen of the land; accompanied by a pair of mischievous brownies, a wizardess cursed into animal form, and a brash yet charming swordsman, the young dwarf soon finds himself being the linchpin for the fate of the world. It's an elegantly earnest and well-acted film told with wit and care, one of the last great fantasy films of the 1980's, and a cult classic. Definitely check it out if you haven't yet.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Willow-Val-Kilmer/dp/B07KLFM6W6/ref=tmm_dvd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1554148077&sr=1-8
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/WILLOW-Blu-ray-Val-Kilmer/dp/B07JYQTLWF/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1554148077&sr=1-8
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Willow-Val-Kilmer/dp/B07L6TFQ8X/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_1?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1554148077&sr=1-8

Well, I hope you find this month to be a better one. Enjoy!

[Roemer]

Not a bad idea, Roemer. I changed my mind about these awesome insulated hunting boots and think it's one I should pick up, too.
(Welcome, by the way)

I've held The King of Elfland's Daughter in my hands a few times of the years but I never actually read it. I think I'm going to give it a shot.

[Raven]

Not a bad idea, Roemer. I think it's one I should pick up, too.
(Welcome, by the way)