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One for the Morning Glory
by
The Tale began when young Prince Amatus secretly sipped the forbidden Wine of the Gods, leaving him half the lad he'd once been--literally--for his left side suddenly vanished without a trace!
But, as is often the case in Tales of this sort, the young Prince's misfortune was also a sort of blessing in disguise. For a year and a day later, four Mysterious Strange ...more
But, as is often the case in Tales of this sort, the young Prince's misfortune was also a sort of blessing in disguise. For a year and a day later, four Mysterious Strange ...more
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Paperback, 320 pages
Published
February 15th 1997
by Tor Fantasy
(first published 1996)
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A winsome fairy tale for grown-ups. Not since T.H. White's 'The Once and Future King' have I read a book that melded humor and pathos so splendidly.
I read this a few weeks ago, while I was recovering for awful virus, but I'm only now getting around to writing about it!
And, hmn, I'm not sure what to say. The novel is explicitly a fairy tale -- explicit in the sense that many of the characters recognise that they're inside a particular sort of story, and have expectations about what might happen in the future, or ways of understanding the past, based on their own understanding of fairy tales. But it's not a fairy tale of the reade ...more
And, hmn, I'm not sure what to say. The novel is explicitly a fairy tale -- explicit in the sense that many of the characters recognise that they're inside a particular sort of story, and have expectations about what might happen in the future, or ways of understanding the past, based on their own understanding of fairy tales. But it's not a fairy tale of the reade ...more
Don't you love that feeling when you're reading a book that you found on your own, that you'd never heard of anywhere, and as you read you realize that you've discovered something special that you'll carry with you all your life?
I bought One for the Morning Glory from my local used books store because it had a Charles Vess cover and a cool title. That's all. It set on my shelf for a few months and I picked it to read at random. The opening scene was strange and funny and a bit violent, an ...more
I bought One for the Morning Glory from my local used books store because it had a Charles Vess cover and a cool title. That's all. It set on my shelf for a few months and I picked it to read at random. The opening scene was strange and funny and a bit violent, an ...more
A fantasy novel set in a land where they know they are living in a fairy tale. Unlike those lands that are merely actual. . . . Where everything that is very old is bound to be true. Where every tale that is told is bound to have happened.
Prince Amatus drinks the Wine of the Gods while only a little child, and "A child who tastes the Wine of the Gods too early is only half a person afterwards." The right half as it turns out. And King Boniface hands out prompt justice to the Prince's ...more
Prince Amatus drinks the Wine of the Gods while only a little child, and "A child who tastes the Wine of the Gods too early is only half a person afterwards." The right half as it turns out. And King Boniface hands out prompt justice to the Prince's ...more
Four strange guardians come to young Prince Amatus after the prince loses half of himself -- the left half -- in a magical accident. Contending with monstrous disturbances and a looming war, Amatus and his Companions are conscious of being inside a story, but they all disagree on what kind of tale they comprise.
One for the Morning Glory is a gleeful exercise in epic quests and meta-narratives. It begins cleverly, and then it develops into something deep and genuinely moving, and then ...more
One for the Morning Glory is a gleeful exercise in epic quests and meta-narratives. It begins cleverly, and then it develops into something deep and genuinely moving, and then ...more
Self-aware sword+sorcery fairy tale replete with witches, goblins, necromany, lost heirs, riddlemonsters, secret passages, potions, and the like.
Infuriating & awesome repurposement of existing english words, e.g. "For supper she had prepared piecemeal panbread, a platter of protons, and an ample haunch of gazebo" which is hilarious but sometimes to the detriment of understanding. Likewise, there are a lot of similarly-named characters who are not sufficiently developed to disting ...more
Infuriating & awesome repurposement of existing english words, e.g. "For supper she had prepared piecemeal panbread, a platter of protons, and an ample haunch of gazebo" which is hilarious but sometimes to the detriment of understanding. Likewise, there are a lot of similarly-named characters who are not sufficiently developed to disting ...more
I enjoyed the first part of this but it confused me the further on it got. Interestingly written, but I'm still baffled.
Based on the chorus of a song the Clancy Brothers simply called “Morning Glory,” One for the Morning Glory conveniently divides its story (slightly asymmetrically) by means of that chorus’ four lines. The song, at least in the Clancy version, tells the familiar seaman’s tale of seducing women ashore and coming back to find them all with babies which look amazingly like him. In the Clancy version, the last line, “And four for the love of you,” refers to four sisters waiting on the dock for him with fo
...more
This is clever literature that makes for a good entry point into fantasy stories without really being a fantasy story. It's really a self-aware fairy tale (like The Princess Bride) using two literary quirks to make it so enjoyable.
The first is that it is indeed self-aware, both from the storyteller's perspective and the characters' perspectives.
The second is the author misuses relatively common words to describe things specific to the story's universe ('gazebo' for a game animal, 'p ...more
The first is that it is indeed self-aware, both from the storyteller's perspective and the characters' perspectives.
The second is the author misuses relatively common words to describe things specific to the story's universe ('gazebo' for a game animal, 'p ...more
For some reason when I started this I was skeptical, but it was damn good.
It's a story that the characters almost know they're in, which changes perhaps how they think about things, but not what they can do. It's self-referential - it reads a bit like a historical account, since characters write their accounts of it afterwards, and the novel refers back to those accounts but also gives you the thought processes of those characters at the time.
Possibly my favorite jokes: firing ...more
It's a story that the characters almost know they're in, which changes perhaps how they think about things, but not what they can do. It's self-referential - it reads a bit like a historical account, since characters write their accounts of it afterwards, and the novel refers back to those accounts but also gives you the thought processes of those characters at the time.
Possibly my favorite jokes: firing ...more
I would give this 6 stars if I could. I can't believe it took me so long to hear about this delightful book! However, I'm glad I didn't find it too soon -- a reader needs to be steeped in the fantasy genre to really appreciate this book. Also, it must be read with a dictionary close to hand! Make sure you look up some of the unfamiliar words, because while the meaning is absolutely clear in context, the juxtaposition of the real meaning is part of the joy of reading it.
This may be the perfect modern fairy-tale book. It has wonderful characters both noble and villainous, a quest, a prophecy, and a Doom. If any of that appeals to you, stop reading this review and read the book!
"One for the Morning Glory" by John Barnes is an deeply enjoyable fantasy that holds a special place in my heart. After being given a copy to read in high school, I read it in one sitting cover to cover. Ever since then, I have worn out one copy reading it two to three times a year. It is my favorite book of all time and I wanted to re-read it in order to write a review explaining why everyone should read it.
The plot is simple: in a mythical kingdom, Prince Amatus, the only heir to t ...more
The plot is simple: in a mythical kingdom, Prince Amatus, the only heir to t ...more
One for the Morning Glory (1996) 319 pages by John Barnes.
I have to call this story a fairy tale. Even the characters in the story refer to it as such. The style reminds me of the old Saturday morning cartoons like Rocky & Bullwinkle or Fractured Fairy Tales. Don't let that make you think less of this book. Barnes crafts an excellent story to go along with the tongue in cheek humor.
It is said that a child who tastes the wine of the gods too early is only half the person afterward. In this ...more
I have to call this story a fairy tale. Even the characters in the story refer to it as such. The style reminds me of the old Saturday morning cartoons like Rocky & Bullwinkle or Fractured Fairy Tales. Don't let that make you think less of this book. Barnes crafts an excellent story to go along with the tongue in cheek humor.
It is said that a child who tastes the wine of the gods too early is only half the person afterward. In this ...more
The jacket compares this to William Goldman’s The Princess Bride, and it is easy to see some resemblance. Both are fantasy stories in which the author speaks directly to the reader for humorous intent. The device of the book within a book in The Princess Bride allows Goldman to comment on the story itself; Barnes has his characters comment on it, as they realize that they are part of a tale. Post-modern fantasy. Whowouldathunkit.
And it works for the most part. Barnes deconstructs the ...more
And it works for the most part. Barnes deconstructs the ...more
A very atypical work for Barnes, who is best known for relatively hard SF coming of age and disaster stories. So a fairy tale fantasy is not his usual ballpark at all. Which isn't to say he does this poorly, Barnes always writes good stuff and this is no exception. He is clearly having fun playing with language here, introducing completely new and unexplained words is one of his trademarks, and he plays with it to extremes here. Everything is quite obvious from context and most of them are just
...more
I picked this up from a Barnes & Noble when it was first published. It was a small hardcover with a very interesting Charles Vess cover, by an author I had never read before, John Barnes, who was best known, at the time, for hard science fiction.
This book was pretty small, and a very fast read. I got through a big chunk of it during my lunch that day I first bought it.
It was a YA style book, an almost meta “tounge-in-cheek” fairy tale. Almost like crossing some obscur ...more
This book was pretty small, and a very fast read. I got through a big chunk of it during my lunch that day I first bought it.
It was a YA style book, an almost meta “tounge-in-cheek” fairy tale. Almost like crossing some obscur ...more
Often funny, every line cleverly crafted, OFTMG is a self-aware fairy tale: its denizens not only embody varied fairy tale archetypes and embark on classic fairy tale quests, they do so knowing full well that they inhabit a stereotype, are well aware of the story's "rules", and are as surprised as anyone when fairy tale qualifications aren't met.
The primary disadvantage of this book when compared to, say, The Princess Bride, is perhaps its too-strict adherence to its source material. As in fair ...more
The primary disadvantage of this book when compared to, say, The Princess Bride, is perhaps its too-strict adherence to its source material. As in fair ...more
The best way I can think of to describe this story is "a tongue-in-cheek homage to fantasy adventure tales". The characters accept that they are part of a story, and occasionally they correct each other when someone assumes something will happen in way that wouldn't fit the tale. There are sneaky references to other bits and bobs from the fantasy/adventure universe, like the "gazebo" (which are often mentioned as creatures which people hunt and eat) and the Riddling Beast's question ("What goes
...more
May 29, 2008
Sbuchler
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Recommended to Sbuchler by:
Mama & Chris
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Somewhat self-aware fairy tale characters maneuver their way through fate to the legend's end.
There's a lot to like about the story, and I didn't feel the non-explanations (and there are a lot of things one must accept) got much in the way.
I enjoyed most of the humor but not some of the whimsical word play. Intentional language misuse is like nails on a chalkboard for me (if George R. R. Martin and his repeated references to "sword short" instead of any other reasonable v ...more
There's a lot to like about the story, and I didn't feel the non-explanations (and there are a lot of things one must accept) got much in the way.
I enjoyed most of the humor but not some of the whimsical word play. Intentional language misuse is like nails on a chalkboard for me (if George R. R. Martin and his repeated references to "sword short" instead of any other reasonable v ...more
This fairy-tale like novel concerns the youth of Prince Amatus, who is missing his entire left side due to a magical mishap during his toddlerhood. Amatus has four Companions, a group of mysterious strangers who arrived during his childhood. Each of them plays an important role in his life and adventures. The narrative follows a lot of fairy-tale conventions and is thus somewhat predictable, but it's pretty clear from the nature of the story that it's deliberate.
One for the Morning Glory h ...more
One for the Morning Glory h ...more
One for fantasy fans. Thanks to an innocent sip of the Wine of the Gods in his toddlerhood, Prince Amatus has grown up to be only half the young man he could have been – the left side of his body vanished. Those responsible are executed, and their positions are advertised as vacant. When four mysterious strangers apply for the jobs, they prove not only qualified but destined to assist the prince in his quest toward a kingship of virtue and valor. A darker Princess Bride, you might consider this.
Jun 09, 2007
JG (The Introverted Reader)
rated it
really liked it
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fantasy,
own,
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re-reads
This is more of a fairy tale/quest tale. If you don't love fantasy, you probably won't like it. But I do love fantasy, so here it is. All of the required elements are present and accounted for. Heroic prince (or, at least, half of one)? Check. Loyal companions? Check. Do the loyal companions have mysterious backgrounds? Check. A little bit of romance? Check. Seemingly impossible tasks that require great sacrifice? Check. It's all here, but don't get the idea that it's a retelling of every other
...more
Good fun, very much in the same genre as The Princess Bride, i.e. a spoof fantasy that also manages to be a fantasy. It loses a few marks for the odd bit of poor taste and for getting rather tired towards the end (a couple of the characters lose the distinctiveness the author took so much trouble to create earlier in the plot, something that often happens when there are too many good guys). But on the whole I enjoyed it, especially the quirky re-definition of some well known words (gazebo, tumbril, ch
...more
A fun, fairly light read in the vein of the Discworld novels or The Princess Bride, One for the Morning Glory should appeal to fantasy readers who don't mind their stories a little tongue in cheek. The first half is definitely stronger than the second half -- it is both funnier, eerier, and more unexpected. Perhaps because this is the type of book where the kind of "happy enough" ending is self-referentially highlighted throughout, the last section was fairly by-the-numbers plotwise and the characters felt
...more
It's criminal that this book is out of print.
I discovered this book by accident while searching for more of John Barnes' science fiction work. Though I enjoy his science fiction, I believe 'One For the Morning Glory' stands apart from his other works. It reads like an archetypal fairy tale, but is very self aware and takes a playful approach to language.
One of the best books I've ever read... Everyone should have the opportunity to read 'One for the Morning Glory.'
I discovered this book by accident while searching for more of John Barnes' science fiction work. Though I enjoy his science fiction, I believe 'One For the Morning Glory' stands apart from his other works. It reads like an archetypal fairy tale, but is very self aware and takes a playful approach to language.
One of the best books I've ever read... Everyone should have the opportunity to read 'One for the Morning Glory.'
An enjoyable read. For some reason, I found it hard to get into and stay into after about halfway through. I liked it while I was reading it, but when there were other books around I was more interested in picking them up. I'm not sure why. It was clever and funny in a a self-conscious way, and the last part especially was well put together.
So I liked it, and I like knowing the story after having heard the beginning half a dozen times, and I probably won't read it again.
So I liked it, and I like knowing the story after having heard the beginning half a dozen times, and I probably won't read it again.
Charming fantasy novel. Has all the proper cliches, and the characters calmly point them out. A lot of fun with language: 'she had realized that her friend was a force in the world like wind, truth, gravity, or levity.' They also eat piecemeal biscuits. While all the upfront foolishness is taking place, I was still was swept up in the story and the characters.
This book is hilarious and fully immersing. Filled with so many colorful characters, so much wit, so many exciting adventures, there is no way I could say enough to praise this work.
I could not stop thinking about the ending, long after I had read it.
It is simply a travesty that this is out of print.
I could not stop thinking about the ending, long after I had read it.
It is simply a travesty that this is out of print.
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John Barnes (born 1957) is an American science fiction author, whose stories often explore questions of individual moral responsibility within a larger social context. Social criticism is woven throughout his plots. The four novels in his Thousand Cultures series pose serious questions about the effects of globalization on isolated societies. Barnes holds a doctorate in theatre and for several yea
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“This is not the way these tales end," Calliope said firmly.
"This is not the way that things end when they get to be tales," Amatus said, "but since ours is not yet told, we cannot count on it. There were a hundred dead princes on the thorns outside Sleeping Beauty's castle, and I'm sure many of them were splendid fellows.”
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"This is not the way that things end when they get to be tales," Amatus said, "but since ours is not yet told, we cannot count on it. There were a hundred dead princes on the thorns outside Sleeping Beauty's castle, and I'm sure many of them were splendid fellows.”
“Amatus waited a long time, but at last he broke the silence.
"There is much I don't understand."
"That will never change," Mortis said decisively. "Except that what you don't understand will change.”
—
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More quotes…
"There is much I don't understand."
"That will never change," Mortis said decisively. "Except that what you don't understand will change.”
