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28th out of 465 books
—
645 voters
Thomas the Rhymer
Award-winning author and radio personality Ellen Kushner’s inspired retelling of an ancient legend weaves myth and magic into a vivid
contemporary novel about the mysteries of the human heart. Brimming with ballads, riddles, and magical transformations, here is the timeless tale of a charismatic bard whose talents earn him a two-edged otherworldly gift.
A minstrel lives by...more
contemporary novel about the mysteries of the human heart. Brimming with ballads, riddles, and magical transformations, here is the timeless tale of a charismatic bard whose talents earn him a two-edged otherworldly gift.
A minstrel lives by...more
Paperback, 258 pages
Published
June 1st 2004
by Spectra
(first published 1990)
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I confess I rushed through this book the first time I read it; I wanted it to be another Swordspoint, and was disappointed when it wasn't. Older and wiser now, I've just finished rereading, and can now appreciate this gem on its own merits. Certainly there are characters and scenes very reminiscent of the Swordspoint verse: Thomas, newly returned from Elfland, has much of Alec Campion's restlessness; Elspeth, at her husband's deathbed, is very much a sister to Sophia. But these reflections add,...more
Ellen Kushner takes a traditional Scottish ballad and weaves it into something magical and beguiling in this lovely, haunting tale. The ballad sings of a minstrel lad abducted to Elfland for seven year's to serve as the Elf Queen's lover, then returned to the mortal world. A footloose and carefree young minstrel, Thomas gives himself up to the quicksilver Elf Queen and the succulent delights of her bower. Yet, he is tormented by her small, careless cruelties, by the elves' constant game-playing,...more
Character-driven, World-building. Atmospheric, Bittersweet.
A fictionalized account of Thomas the Rhymer and his experiences in the Fairy Land and his position as the best bard in either realm. The story is told from the point-of-view of Thomas and those mortals who knew him best. A captivating story that allows us to observe Thomas as he journeys from the over-confident womanizer he is at the beginning of the book to the wiser family man he has become at the end of the book. The fae are portraye...more
A fictionalized account of Thomas the Rhymer and his experiences in the Fairy Land and his position as the best bard in either realm. The story is told from the point-of-view of Thomas and those mortals who knew him best. A captivating story that allows us to observe Thomas as he journeys from the over-confident womanizer he is at the beginning of the book to the wiser family man he has become at the end of the book. The fae are portraye...more
One of the aspects I enjoyed most in Thomas the Rhymer was the structure of it; the fact that it's written in different first-person sections struck me as perfect. What I really love about the structure is how it draws you through the magic of the story. I'm not sure exactly how to explain it, but here's my best attempt:
We start off in Gavin's perspective; Gavin's a stalwart and stubborn non-believer who nonetheless takes a shining to the showy Thomas when he arrives penniless at their door. Gav...more
We start off in Gavin's perspective; Gavin's a stalwart and stubborn non-believer who nonetheless takes a shining to the showy Thomas when he arrives penniless at their door. Gav...more
This is my all time favorite book about Faerie. I've been reading about and studying Faerie since I was a small child. And I am an AVID reader. Ellen Kushner has done more to bring the world of the Fae alive than anything else I've ever read.
Critics of this book need to understand that Thomas the Rhymer or Tam Lin is a legend. It is what it is. For Kushner to have made him pleasing to all would have been to stray from the legend. For the book to have had a more climactic ending would have been...more
Critics of this book need to understand that Thomas the Rhymer or Tam Lin is a legend. It is what it is. For Kushner to have made him pleasing to all would have been to stray from the legend. For the book to have had a more climactic ending would have been...more
Tässä on taas hyvä kirja pilattu todella ankeilla kansilla.. Tartuin tähän vain koska opus oli hyvässä seurassa ehdolla erään palkinnon saajaksi. Silti jouduin potkimaan itseäni ennen kuin viitsin lukea riviäkään. Mutta tämäpä olikin oikein hyvä!
Kirja perustuu vanhaan skottilaiseen balladiin, mikä voisi tehdä kirjasta todella kökön, mutta sen sijaan tekeekin siitä virkistävän erilaisen. Tarina toi mieleen kaikki suosikkisatuni, joita penikkana ahmin. Näiden kirjojen upea kuvitus satumaisista mai...more
Kirja perustuu vanhaan skottilaiseen balladiin, mikä voisi tehdä kirjasta todella kökön, mutta sen sijaan tekeekin siitä virkistävän erilaisen. Tarina toi mieleen kaikki suosikkisatuni, joita penikkana ahmin. Näiden kirjojen upea kuvitus satumaisista mai...more
Another take on the legend of Thomas Learmounth. Beautiful language, absence of violence - these are the book's pluses. However, that is about it. The story itself lacks something very important - the point. I do not mean the point of the legend of True Thomas, but the point of this very book. Thomas lives here and then he lives there... so what? What was the point of his stay with the Elves? What did the riddle he had resolved while living among the Elves have in common with the rest of his lif...more
Thomas the Rhymer is a worthy and beautiful novelization of the ballad, elegantly told from the perspective of four people--Gavin and Meg, the elderly couple who takes on Thomas as a surrogate son, bookend Thomas's own experience in Elfland, and the fourth by Thomas's mortal love, Elspeth, after he returns to the human world with his 'gift' of soothsaying. Kushner's language is so subtle, lyrical and magical, some passages near left me in tears. She has such a flair for words (and this book is a...more
I love novels like this; that flesh out a traditional tale while remaining true and faithful to the source material. (Like Robin McKinley's 'Beauty', Donna Jo Napoli's 'Zel', etc). This book retells the legend of Thomas the Rhymer, a minstrel taken under the hill for seven years of service to the faerie queen, who returns with the 'gift' of being unable to tell a lie. It brings to life Thomas and those who know and love him, letting a reader feel not that what they'd heard previously of the tale...more
I do love a good reworking of a classic tale, and while not a complete re-imagining, this was a good, rich story that gave new insight while still remaining true to the original myth. The character of Thomas grew and changed through the book, which is something I like to see happen, and as it is told from different points of view, you see different aspects of the characters depending upon which stage of the story you are in. For being so short (less than 200 pages) I never felt as if the story w...more
This is a relatively short novel - about 260 pages. The last ~40 pages of the book are really just excerpts from Ms. Kushner's other works. The novel might have benefited greatly from those additional 40 pages, as the characterization leaves much to be desired. Thomas & company are ciphers - they have names, and some of them have some kind of motivation, sometimes, but mostly they are just pale shadows of what they could be.
I didn't really care much about what happened to any of the charact...more
I didn't really care much about what happened to any of the charact...more
It's hard for me not to compare it with Swordspoint, the 1st of Kushner's book that I read.
The fast paced Swordspoint is full of tenebrous characters that gives the story the feel of 17th century French novels that prohibited by the church. The pacing is excellent for every page is an enticing drama. The ending is true to the characters and the whole ambiance of the novel.
This book, is good. I have to encourage myself to give it more description other than good. I, myself, kept on reading for th...more
The fast paced Swordspoint is full of tenebrous characters that gives the story the feel of 17th century French novels that prohibited by the church. The pacing is excellent for every page is an enticing drama. The ending is true to the characters and the whole ambiance of the novel.
This book, is good. I have to encourage myself to give it more description other than good. I, myself, kept on reading for th...more
It took me a while to get into this version of Thomas the Rhymer. The story is told in four voices: the voice of an old man who takes Thomas in almost as his own son, Gavin; the voice of Thomas himself; the voice of Gavin's wife, Meg; and the voice of the mortal woman who loves Thomas, Elspeth. The part in Gavin's voice didn't grip me so much, but when I came to Thomas's part, I could barely put the book down. It's not full of action, and Elspeth doesn't play a part in Thomas coming back from Fa...more
1 like · like · see review
Ce roman nous raconte la vie de Thomas. Ménestrel, séducteur et grand vivant, il vécut une vie riche avant d’être emmené par la reine des elfes pour vivre dans leur beau pays pendant sept ans. Et son retour ne fut peut-être pas aussi facile que ce qu’on peut en croire, pour un homme ayant reçu des cadeaux des elfes.
Il est des livres qui, tout en en racontant beaucoup, ne nous disent que peu de choses. Thomas le rimeur est exactement l’inverse. Pour un livre qui en raconte aussi peu, cette histo...more
Il est des livres qui, tout en en racontant beaucoup, ne nous disent que peu de choses. Thomas le rimeur est exactement l’inverse. Pour un livre qui en raconte aussi peu, cette histo...more
This was such a disappointing book.
I really liked the premise, of combining myths and folklore and songs. But Kushner seems to have forgotten to tie that in with a character I wouldn't loathe. Thomas was self-centered, vain, selfish, dishonest, and unable to think about anything other than his penis for longer than an hour. He says at one point that he was enchanted to follow the "Elf Queen" (hated that "elf" and "fae" were interchangeable) to her domain, but I really didn't see him putting up a...more
I really liked the premise, of combining myths and folklore and songs. But Kushner seems to have forgotten to tie that in with a character I wouldn't loathe. Thomas was self-centered, vain, selfish, dishonest, and unable to think about anything other than his penis for longer than an hour. He says at one point that he was enchanted to follow the "Elf Queen" (hated that "elf" and "fae" were interchangeable) to her domain, but I really didn't see him putting up a...more
Jan 28, 2008
Joshua
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
People who like ballads
Shelves:
sci-fi-and-fantasy
I have always had an affinity for Celtic folklore and ballads. That said, when I passed by this novel at the bookstore, I felt like I was struck by an incendiary device. A novelized retelling of the Thomas The Rhymer ballad that carried so much fascination for me? I quickly bought it and read it, carrying it around with my during school breaks, snatching minutes here and there to read. In the end, I felt as if I was brought back from the fantastic land of the faerie queen with a loud thump.
Per...more
Per...more
Enjoyable book, nice characterization and descriptive writing. It is most definitely a love story. Don't expect a ton of action. I wasn't particularly enthused about the structure and would have liked a few more surprises. As it is, Kushner lets the proverbial cat out of the bag then tries to hold the reader in some sort of suspense by not letting all of the characters know (can't remember what the device is called, it's one of those authorly things)...anyway, it's not particularly effective.
I read this many years ago (1994?) and so don't remember details, but I do remember it's a re-telling of the ballad by that name set firmly in its time (i.e. not an adaptation set in contemporary times) and told from the point of view of four characters. We are shown the effect of what happens to Thomas to each of the characters, including himself in vivid and lovely prose. This was the first book I read by Ellen Kushner (was it her first novel? Not sure) and it made a strong impression on me.
I love the Scottish ballad of Thomas the Rhymer/Tam Lin and this is a good re-telling of it. What I enjoyed the most about the book is the way each section has a differnt narrator. The first part is told by a farmer who takes Thomas in before he is taken by the Faery Queen. When Thomas is at the Faery Court, he is himself the narrator. When he gets out seven years later, his wife is the narrator. I don't re-read very many books, but this is one I have read more than once.
This is an elegant and romantic retelling of the ballad of Thomas the Rhymer, a harper who was taken by the Elven queen to spend seven years in Elfland and came out with the gift of telling only the truth. I was somewhat unsatisfied with the events of the novel, and with the character of Thomas himself, who was sufficiently self-centered that I had a hard time sympathizing with him, but the language was beautiful, as Kushner's always is, and it was overall a good read.
2 likes · like · see review
Ellen Kushner's prose is so evocative and not at all showy, and the writing in this book made the time period authentic, with a very real medieval England and faery world. I love the story, about being foolish, growing up, loss and redemption and loss. The narrators are all written differently, so they really feel like different individuals. It is a true fairy tale, and such a good one.
The story is an ancient one, about a wandering harper who loses himself in the world of faery for seven years,...more
The story is an ancient one, about a wandering harper who loses himself in the world of faery for seven years,...more
I loved this book from cover to cover. I've had issues with Ellen Kushner's choices in the past, but I really loved the layers she was able to add to this classic story. The characters all seemed very real and totally flawed, but you find ways to love them anyway. I especially liked how the story is told through different narrators at different points in time. I heartily recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Celtic and English mythology or anyone who has always felt a little out of place...more
Jul 26, 2009
Patty
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
2009,
fantasy,
fiction,
folk-tales,
great-britain,
music,
musician,
love,
women-writers,
storytelling,
ballads,
magic
I read Kushner's book Swordpoint long ago, but I remember it as a wonderful book. This one was also a good read.
Thomas the Rhymer is an excellent musician. He charms many people in the courts of this world and then finds that he charms the Queen of Elfland. Pleasing her is the only way Thomas will be able to survive. But what will happen in our world while he is in Elfland.
I found this story, based on a ballad, easy to believe. Although this tale requires suspension of disbelief, it isn't hard t...more
Thomas the Rhymer is an excellent musician. He charms many people in the courts of this world and then finds that he charms the Queen of Elfland. Pleasing her is the only way Thomas will be able to survive. But what will happen in our world while he is in Elfland.
I found this story, based on a ballad, easy to believe. Although this tale requires suspension of disbelief, it isn't hard t...more
This was a nice (although not brilliant) re-telling of Thomas the Rhymer. I enjoyed it, although it felt that things were rather easy for Thomas when he returned, because (view spoiler) I also was sorry for Elspeth, as (view spoiler).
Jul 31, 2008
Julia
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
everyone!
Recommended to Julia by:
I read all Ellen Kushner
Shelves:
fantasy
Thomas the Rhymer was a medieval bard from Scotland (1220-1297) who disappeared for seven years and said he’d been living with the Queen of Elfland. She gives him a “gift”; he can no longer tell anything but the truth and becomes a seer as well as bard. There are so many ballads about and by him that it may be true. There’s a Thomas the Rhymer tower. Sir Walter Scott owned the tree under which the Queen kissed him.
This is a beautiful little novel; told Rashomon-like by the people who love him....more
This is a beautiful little novel; told Rashomon-like by the people who love him....more
A fantastically original book, despite its unoriginal subject! This novel takes on the ancient tale of "True Thomas," who spent 7 years in Faerieland with the Queen of Faerie and came back changed and with the ability to speak only truth and prophecy. It is told from the point of view of the four different main characters: Thomas' adoptive parents, Thomas himself, and his mortal beloved, who loses him for 7 years. Needless to say, the most fascinating tale is Thomas' own, who expounds how Faerie...more
First book I've read in a long while that effortlessly got me past the first page. It's language managed to be believably time-appropriate without being inaccessible. For a story about Faerie, it did a remarkably good job depicting humanity in a real and touching manner.
While it's called a fantasy by some reviewers, this is a modern retelling of the life of a 13th-century Scottish minstrel and prophet. Unreliable narrators, artistic unity and recurring themes, bonny lasses and a roving bard, a seven-year visit to Elfland. What's not to love?
i started reading this book, only to slowly realize that it was all too familiar. Turns out I read it a while ago, only it hadn't been remarkable enough to recall.
Romantic story, but a bit stilted. Enjoyable enough, but not a book that made me stay up all night to finish.
Romantic story, but a bit stilted. Enjoyable enough, but not a book that made me stay up all night to finish.
More like 2.5 stars. Some of the language was lovely, but the structure was uneven.
glbt interest tag: Queen of Elfland asks Thomas if he's ever lain with a man. He answers, yes, once, when I was young. She asks if he liked it. He says he felt used afterward.
glbt interest tag: Queen of Elfland asks Thomas if he's ever lain with a man. He answers, yes, once, when I was young. She asks if he liked it. He says he felt used afterward.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Into the Forest: Thomas the Rhymer- No Spoilers | 7 | 36 | Oct 12, 2012 02:25pm | |
| Into the Forest: Thomas the Rhymer - Spoilers | 2 | 15 | Aug 14, 2012 11:38am |
American writer of fantasy novels, and the host of the radio program Sound & Spirit, distributed by Public Radio International.
She lives in New York City with her wife and sometime collaborator, Delia Sherman. Her first novel, Swordspoint (1987), and its sequel (co-authored by Sherman) The Fall of the Kings (2002), are mannerpunk novels set in a nameless imaginary capital city, and its raffish...more
More about Ellen Kushner...
She lives in New York City with her wife and sometime collaborator, Delia Sherman. Her first novel, Swordspoint (1987), and its sequel (co-authored by Sherman) The Fall of the Kings (2002), are mannerpunk novels set in a nameless imaginary capital city, and its raffish...more
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“There's the road to heaven, and there's the road to hell, and there? That's the road to Faerie.”
—
11 people liked it
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Mar 23, 2010 10:45am