The Lastborn of Elvinwood

by Linda Haldeman

The Lastborn of Elvinwood [Paperback] [Jan 01, 1980] Haldeman, Linda

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy, Fiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Kira FlowerChild · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book almost 40 years ago and absolutely loved it. My husband had a paperback copy and somewhere along the way it disappeared. I got a hardcover copy which has been sitting on the shelf for a while, until I ran out of library books and couldn't get to the library right away. You see, I was afraid I wouldn't feel the same way about it after a second reading.

I needn't have worried. Reading The Lastborn of Elvinwood still took me to a magical world where the present coexists with the likes of Oberon, Titania, and Merlin, and humans can enter their world. Some have said it is a simple story, suitable for teens, and maybe that is so, but I think only the most literarily-inclined teens would have the patience for it. Or perhaps only they would truly appreciate it.

The Lastborn of Elvinwood is, was, and will always remain one of my favorite books of all time. I invite you to explore this world. If you are fond of fairy tales, good people who struggle to do what is right, and unlikely heroes, you may well be enchanted by this tale as well.

[X · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure what to think of this book. It was a little hard to get into, but I liked the writing style and the main part of the story. However, I was disappointed by certain turns of events and the ending was ultimately unsatisfactory to me. Maybe 2 1/2 stars.

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh. This book could have been (and tried to be) charming, but instead it was uncomfortable to read. What an awful story (also I absolutely don't buy the protagonist's sudden change of character. And what was up with that ending? It's more of a tragedy than a happy ending).

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

An older fantasy novel I found in a used bookstore in Melbourne. It takes place in the UK some time ago, but definitely in the 20th century when fairies are dying out due to a lack of breeding success. A plan is hatched to exchange a fairy for a human child and the adventure of executing this plan takes up most of the book. Merlin has a brief appearance. A fun light read, but it didn't grab me as much as some of other fantasies I read. I suspect it would be a good book for young adult readers.

[Arthurianmaiden · Rating 2 out of 5]

The novel is only vaguely/partially arthurian. The plot revolves around an actor (in modern times) called Ian, who accidentally stumbles upon a meeting of fairies. Oberon, the king, wants to take a human female child for his people, as there is no new female fairy new born.
The book is fun, simple and nice, but it has some pretty awkward and creepy elements, that I would have never caught if I had been a younger reader (I am not sure what the target audience of this book is). My main problem is how the whole point of the novel is sending a young fairy (Mompen) to convince an infant baby (fairies can talk with babies) to become a princess fairy and procreate with Puck. This is just... creepy. The infant child is turned into an adult princess fairy (and the plot throws in some problems, because Merlin really likes to mess up with the fairies).

The girl/future princess is not even a character. The only plot issue is that, because of Merlin's trickery, she is not beautiful enough for her future mate Puck. Then, once the issue is solved, Ian says quite clearly that Puck (and the girl) only purpose is to procreate and continue their species. No other role. And while notices how awful Puck is (he is rude and not a good individual), no one is worried about this infant-turned-adult girl who is going to end up into a forced marriage with, probably, an abusive individual.

Plus, no one has a problem in stealing a child from her family (not even Ian and the other humans helping the fairies) and throwing Mompen in her place, turning the young fairy into a girl and a human infant.

Still, the book is fun, enjoyable, especially regarding Ian finding confidence in his powers. I would have probably loved such a book taken on a serious spin that is not afraid of tackles all the creepy issues.

Regarding the arthurian element of the novel, Merlin is one of the secondary characters in the book, a sort of mysterious fellow who tricks the fairies but also decides to help Ian with magic.

[James]

Back Cover Blurb: An enchanted banquet deep in the forest. Two surprise guests appear at a fairy feast one cold, rainy night: Oberon, the noble King of Fairies and Ian James, one of the human kind, an actor who had picked up a chestnut - and vanished into their utterly charming, sometimes exasperating world. Ian's blunder almost costs him his life, but Oberon spares him in return for a sacred pledge to save their dwindling race by finding a willing mortal bride for the last fairy prince. The daring scheme calls for the magic of the oldest and most powerful wizard of them all - and for a fairy to enter the perilous world of man. Mompen, the lastborn of Elvinwood, bravely volunteers.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting take on elves, changelings, and the fantasy genre. A little too much muddying of the truth. Provided good material for a sequel.

[Jay-me (Janet) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this one a while ago. The reason I read it was because it was based on a painting by Richard Dadd, which was also the subject of an album track by Queen. As I am a huge Queen fan I actually went to the Tate Gallery to take a look at this painting.

[Lexie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more of a 3.5...I want to think about the book before I decide. Its not quite what I was expecting.