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The Book of Isle #1
The White Hart
Welcome to Isle, a land of fantasy that existed long before there were such things. Surrounded by vast oceans and dotted with thick forests, Isle was a land in which all beings lived together. There were gods and ghosts dwelling with the Old Ones, the wise ancient ancestors. During this period, The Book of Suns began its life, though little was known about its contents. The mighty marriage between Sun and Moon begins an adventure never seen before.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1979
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892 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Springer
192 books2,342 followersBIO -- NANCY SPRINGER
Nancy Springer has passed the fifty-book milestone, having written that many novels for adults, young adults and children, in genres including mythic fantasy, contemporary fiction, magical realism, horror, and mystery -- although she did not realize she wrote mystery until she won the Edgar Allan Poe Award from the Mystery Writers of America two years in succession. DARK LIE, recently released from NAL, is her first venture into mass-market psychological suspense.
Born in Montclair, New Jersey, Nancy Springer moved with her family to Gettysburg, of Civil War fame, when she was thirteen. She spent the next forty-six years in Pennsylvania, raising two children (Jonathan, now 38, and Nora, 34), writing, horseback riding, fishing, and birdwatching. In 2007 she surprised her friends and herself by moving with her second husband to an isolated area of the Florida panhandle, where the birdwatching is spectacular and where, when fishing, she occasionally catches an alligator.
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August 30, 2024
Hace tiempo que tengo echado el ojo a la colección Fantasy que en los años 70-80 publicó en nuestro país la editorial Martínez roca. Por lo que he oído es de lo mejorcito que se ha publicado de fantasía y ciencia ficción en España, y por desgracia muchos, sino todos, de los títulos de los que se componía ya están descatalogados. Tengo varios de sus libros bicheados por Internet en páginas de segunda mano, pero el primero que decidí comprar para leer fue el presente “El Ciervo Blanco” después de que lo pusieran tan bien en “Anillos y Mazmorras” una amena guía sobre fantasía épica escrita por Jose Sender, y que creo que es imperdible para cualquier amante del género que se precie. En ella, el autor hablaba de los diferentes libros, series, películas y cómics que consideraba los más interesantes dentro del género.
Tengo muchas ganas de comprar muchos volúmenes de esta colección, y hay algunos que sí los estoy viendo con relativa facilidad. Pero otros no tengo tan claro que vaya a encontrarlos. Sobre todo el segundo libro de los que componen la serie “El Libro de La Isla”, del cual “El Ciervo Blanco” es su primera entrega. Y a esto se suma que creo que la serie se compone de unos cinco libros, y solo se publicaron al español esos dos. Así que no sé si animarme a intentar buscar el segundo tomo “El Sol de Plata” y leer el resto en inglés. Porque realmente me ha parecido una trama que ha merecido mucho la pena. Tenía muchas ganas de leer el primer tomo y muchas expectativas puestas en él. Y a grandes rasgos no me ha decepcionado.
Nos encontramos en Isla, un lugar dividido en diferentes feudos y reinos cuyos castillos y fortalezas se alzan en medio de un tupido bosque que envuelve todo el continente. Y donde las redecillas y luchas entre señores son bastante frecuentes. La hija de uno de los nobles más aguerridos y poderosos de Isla, la bella Ellid , es apresada por uno de los enemigos de su padre y encerrada en una torre. Sin embargo, en medio de la noche será rescatada por un misterioso personaje de cabellos oscuros llamado Bevan, descendiente de una diosa lunar y un gran rey que se fue derrotado por Pel Blagden, una entidad oscura y poderosa que planea llevar las tinieblas por toda Isla cuando llegue el momento. Bevan tomará para sí el destino de destruir a tan terrible enemigo en una guerra que enfrentará a la luz y a la oscuridad, al bien y al mal.
¿Esta sinopsis suena cualquiera de las tropecientas obras que se han escrito dentro del género de la fantasía épica desde que el profesor J.R.R. Tolkien publicase “El Señor de los Anillos”? Pues es más que evidente que es así. En cuanto coges “El Ciervo Blanco” te encuentras con algunos de los elementos más característicos y usados dentro del género: un héroe poderoso y predestinado a traer la paz al mundo después de derrotar al mal que se extiende en él; una bella dama en apuros; caudillos enfrentados entre ellos, con algunos dispuestos a hacer cualquier cosa por ostentar el poder; profecías; criaturas tenebrosas sin alma ni piedad; un malo malisimo cuyo único objetivo es dominar el mundo y traer la oscuridad al mismo, sin que nunca se nos explique el motivo ; armas ancestrales; dragones y una historia de amor aparentemente imposible entre dos personajes de diferentes razas. Es inevitable irte algunas de las historias que el profesor escribió en el momento (y no solo relacionado con “El Señor de los Anillos”, también con diversas obras nacidas a raíz del legendarium de la Tierra Media), y la semejanza se subraya más fuertemente por el estilo de escribir de Nancy Springger, que comparte con el profesor ese aire poético y épico en el que ahora me explayaré.
Springger nos presenta Isla, un mundo de referencias célticas y artúricas de dioses y guerreros, que tal como se señala en varios momentos, ha ido cambiando a lo largo de su historia. Las antiguas costumbres que daban a las mujeres el poder en calidad de dadoras de vida, ahora han sido relegadas, en su mayor parte, por una sociedad patriarcal y aguerrida en el que lo que cuenta es el acero y el número de hombres y fortalezas que estos tengan bajo su mando. Los dioses han abandonado este mundo a su suerte, y ahora son los hombres quienes lo controlan, mientras una nueva religión que nos habla de un hombre crucificado y un único dios empieza a cobrar fuerza en este mundo envuelto en eternos bosques, y donde el mar es el lugar más terrible, pues entre sus aguas alberga todo tipo de peligros y criaturas horrendas. Esta ambientación me ha recordado fuertemente a una de mis novelas de fantasía épicas favoritas “Las Nieblas de Avalón” nos presentaba el auge y caída del mundo artúrico alejado de cualquier elemento alto-medieval o del amor cortés, enfocado en una cultura zarpó en el que los antiguos dioses peleaban contra la llegada del cristianismo. Independientemente de lo cancelable que sea la autora de esta novela, Marion Zimmer Bradley ( búscadlo por Internet y entenderéis porque lo digo) “El Ciervo Blanco” y “Las Nieblas de Avalón” comparten ese fermento céltico y artúrico, que antes he mencionado, y la fuerte humanidad que desprenden sus personajes, entretejiéndose historias de héroes y humanos, envueltos en la magia y el misticismo de los tiempos pasados. Leer a Springger ha sido como escuchar un cuento de tiempos remotos, como oír una canción que ha sido mil veces cantada a lo largo del tiempo, pero no por ello pierde su hermosura y su fuerza. Su prosa es muy poética, tiene algo que es sencillo y directo, pero que retumba en ti mientras lees, con un lirismo que crea una atmósfera que atrapa, teñida con la sencillez y el tinte nostálgico que tienen las grandes historias antiguas.
Springger no nos presenta de manera lineal, cronológica o directa como son las cosas en este worlduilding, sino que a través de los comentarios y referencias de los personajes uno va haciéndose su composición de las normas de este mundo, sus estructuras y su historia. Al principio de la lecturas es posible que te sientas un poco perdido con tanta información que no sabes como hilvanar, pero rápidamente la autora te asienta perfectamente ibas entendiendo de qué va todo. Y eso es algo que lo personal valoro mucho cuando leo cualquier tipo de fantasía ubicada en un mundo propio, y que cuando está bien llevado me parece uno de los grandes puntazos de la lectura. Pero tal y como se dice el prólogo que acompaña a esta historia, la gracia de “El Ciervo Blanco” es la manera en que Springger maneja todos estos elementos y sabe darles un toque personal. Y es que se trata de una obra que no busca tanto recrear la sempiterna y manida batalla entre el bien y el mal abrir (que lo hace y muy bien, por cierto) como darle una patina de humanidad y realismo a sus personajes y a la historia, alejándoles de la solemnidad y el heroicismo cuando es menester. Y gracias a ello, todo el conjunto está inscrito en muchos matices, y no resulta para nada plano o soso. Uno siente al perderse en las páginas de este libro que está leyendo una historia que conoce y ha tenido entre manos mil veces, pero que al mismo tiempo tiene algo de novedoso y humano que le atrae hacia ella. Springger, como muchas autoras de la fantasía que publicaron en los años 70-80 del siglo pasado, compone una historia más centrada en lo personal de sus personajes y en como van evolucionando y cambiando a lo largo de la obra. En ese sentido ,esta lectura me ha recordado fuertemente a otra de mis novelas de fantasía favoritas, que fur una de mis mejores lecturas del año 2023, “Las Bestias Olvidadas de Eld” de Patricia A. McKillip. Al igual que en ella, en “El Ciervo Blanco” nos encontramos con una pulsión y perspectivas más intimistas del argumento; la típica quest en pos de aventuras y magia se trastoca en un viaje de corte más intimista , en el que también tienen su peso aspectos como la lealtad, la amistad, el deber y el amor.
Los personajes de Springger no son tan bondadosos como meramente reales. Son personas que sufren, dudan, tienen deseos fuertes que les enfrentan a sus deberes y sus propias virtudes y defectos. Como bien señala Alejo Cuervo en el ya mencionado prólogo de esta edición, la autora pone sobre el tapete la dualidad del hombre y su lucha interior, como dos elementos más de la historia, tan importantes como las armas de fantasía, los ejércitos y las profecías. Y eso se ve muy bien que para mí es el gran protagonista de la novela, Cuín el Halconero, primo y enamorado de Ellid y, por los engranajes de la fortuna, compañero de batallas e infortunios de Bevan. Ellid como protagonista, prometía mucho, pero al final termina quedando muy desdibujada y acaba convirtiéndose en el mero receptáculo de los deseos y aspiraciones de varios personajes masculinos (y eso me ha repateado mucho, me esperaba que una autora diera más potencia a sus caracteres femeninos); Bevan está intrínsecamente imbuido en un aura de héroe profetizado que pesa demasiado sobre él y hace que a ratos sea un personaje un tanto aburrido, y que le quita a veces cercanía a un carácter que realmente está muy bien construido. Porque es muy interesante esa distancia que siente hacia el resto del mundo y las personas que le rodean, y la patina un tanto trágica que tiene muchos de sus sentimientos y sensaciones. Pero es en Cuin con el que Springger se luce. Él es el personaje que se ve obligado a cambiar su perspectiva de su situación, a hacer cosas que nunca creyó posibles, el secundario que lentamente va convirtiéndose en héroe y líder de forma callada y sacrificada, el que tiene sentimientos que expresa a voz viva para el lector. Cuin no es alguien destinado a la grandeza y por cuyas venas corra sangre de dioses como Bevan. Ama a Ellid aunque sepa que ella no siente lo mismo y no puede evitar por ello odiar al principio al héroe. Pero las circunstancias le obligarán a sentir por el primero lealtad y luego un afecto sincero, y eso le llevará a un viaje iniciático típico del género fantástico y en esta novela está inscrito en unos términos que muchas veces resultan como veedores por los humanos o que son. Y es por ello que Cuin es el auténtico héroe de esta historia, el que realmente le cae bien al lector. Y junto a los otros dos personajes formará un triángulo amoroso que al principio parece muy tópico, con una pareja irremediablemente y un tercero en discordia que se ve relegado a un segundo plano. Pero en el último cuarto de la novela, Springger mete una vuelta de tuerca a este elemento que hace que la historia gane unas interesantes cuotas de originalidad que contribuyen a darle a “El Ciervo Blanco” un sabor diferente.
El libro es relativamente corto, no llega a las 200 páginas. Eso tiene algo bueno, y es que en todo momento está siempre pasando algo que hace que no puedas parar de leer y tu atención nunca decaiga. Pero a la vez hace que en ciertos momentos la autora pise el acelerador y que el ritmo resulte demasiado trepidante en ciertos momentos en los que se pedia más enfasis. En concreto hay un momento hacia la mitad que es decisivo para el viaje de Bevan y Cuin que me sorprendió por lo precipitadamente narrado que estaba. Para mí ese ha sido el motivo por el que en ciertos momentos de la lectura me ha costado conectar ya no solo con la trama, también a veces con los propios personajes.
Para acabar esta reseña, tengo que reconocer algo: No sé si recomendar a alguien leer “El Ciervo Blanco” por una razón muy sencilla y que yo he comentado antes: es el primer tomo de una serie que solo fueron publicados al español los dos primeros, y que se encuentran ambos más que descatalogados. Leyendo esta entrega uno puede percibir perfectamente que está frente a una fracción de algo más grande, que el mundo de Isla tiene mucho más que ofrecer, y que la autora solo está preparando el terreno para poder desarrollarlo en los siguientes libros. Y eso puede dar la sensación de pérdida de tiempo con este libro. Pero al mismo tiempo, creo que es una lectura con suficientes elementos interesantes para darle una oportunidad. La forma en que Nancy Soringger maneja los tópicos de la fantasía épica para hacer que las expectativas iniciales que lector pueda tener no se cumplan, y como los lleva a su terreno personal, me parecen más que meritorias.
Tengo muchas ganas de comprar muchos volúmenes de esta colección, y hay algunos que sí los estoy viendo con relativa facilidad. Pero otros no tengo tan claro que vaya a encontrarlos. Sobre todo el segundo libro de los que componen la serie “El Libro de La Isla”, del cual “El Ciervo Blanco” es su primera entrega. Y a esto se suma que creo que la serie se compone de unos cinco libros, y solo se publicaron al español esos dos. Así que no sé si animarme a intentar buscar el segundo tomo “El Sol de Plata” y leer el resto en inglés. Porque realmente me ha parecido una trama que ha merecido mucho la pena. Tenía muchas ganas de leer el primer tomo y muchas expectativas puestas en él. Y a grandes rasgos no me ha decepcionado.
Nos encontramos en Isla, un lugar dividido en diferentes feudos y reinos cuyos castillos y fortalezas se alzan en medio de un tupido bosque que envuelve todo el continente. Y donde las redecillas y luchas entre señores son bastante frecuentes. La hija de uno de los nobles más aguerridos y poderosos de Isla, la bella Ellid , es apresada por uno de los enemigos de su padre y encerrada en una torre. Sin embargo, en medio de la noche será rescatada por un misterioso personaje de cabellos oscuros llamado Bevan, descendiente de una diosa lunar y un gran rey que se fue derrotado por Pel Blagden, una entidad oscura y poderosa que planea llevar las tinieblas por toda Isla cuando llegue el momento. Bevan tomará para sí el destino de destruir a tan terrible enemigo en una guerra que enfrentará a la luz y a la oscuridad, al bien y al mal.
¿Esta sinopsis suena cualquiera de las tropecientas obras que se han escrito dentro del género de la fantasía épica desde que el profesor J.R.R. Tolkien publicase “El Señor de los Anillos”? Pues es más que evidente que es así. En cuanto coges “El Ciervo Blanco” te encuentras con algunos de los elementos más característicos y usados dentro del género: un héroe poderoso y predestinado a traer la paz al mundo después de derrotar al mal que se extiende en él; una bella dama en apuros; caudillos enfrentados entre ellos, con algunos dispuestos a hacer cualquier cosa por ostentar el poder; profecías; criaturas tenebrosas sin alma ni piedad; un malo malisimo cuyo único objetivo es dominar el mundo y traer la oscuridad al mismo, sin que nunca se nos explique el motivo ; armas ancestrales; dragones y una historia de amor aparentemente imposible entre dos personajes de diferentes razas. Es inevitable irte algunas de las historias que el profesor escribió en el momento (y no solo relacionado con “El Señor de los Anillos”, también con diversas obras nacidas a raíz del legendarium de la Tierra Media), y la semejanza se subraya más fuertemente por el estilo de escribir de Nancy Springger, que comparte con el profesor ese aire poético y épico en el que ahora me explayaré.
Springger nos presenta Isla, un mundo de referencias célticas y artúricas de dioses y guerreros, que tal como se señala en varios momentos, ha ido cambiando a lo largo de su historia. Las antiguas costumbres que daban a las mujeres el poder en calidad de dadoras de vida, ahora han sido relegadas, en su mayor parte, por una sociedad patriarcal y aguerrida en el que lo que cuenta es el acero y el número de hombres y fortalezas que estos tengan bajo su mando. Los dioses han abandonado este mundo a su suerte, y ahora son los hombres quienes lo controlan, mientras una nueva religión que nos habla de un hombre crucificado y un único dios empieza a cobrar fuerza en este mundo envuelto en eternos bosques, y donde el mar es el lugar más terrible, pues entre sus aguas alberga todo tipo de peligros y criaturas horrendas. Esta ambientación me ha recordado fuertemente a una de mis novelas de fantasía épicas favoritas “Las Nieblas de Avalón” nos presentaba el auge y caída del mundo artúrico alejado de cualquier elemento alto-medieval o del amor cortés, enfocado en una cultura zarpó en el que los antiguos dioses peleaban contra la llegada del cristianismo. Independientemente de lo cancelable que sea la autora de esta novela, Marion Zimmer Bradley ( búscadlo por Internet y entenderéis porque lo digo) “El Ciervo Blanco” y “Las Nieblas de Avalón” comparten ese fermento céltico y artúrico, que antes he mencionado, y la fuerte humanidad que desprenden sus personajes, entretejiéndose historias de héroes y humanos, envueltos en la magia y el misticismo de los tiempos pasados. Leer a Springger ha sido como escuchar un cuento de tiempos remotos, como oír una canción que ha sido mil veces cantada a lo largo del tiempo, pero no por ello pierde su hermosura y su fuerza. Su prosa es muy poética, tiene algo que es sencillo y directo, pero que retumba en ti mientras lees, con un lirismo que crea una atmósfera que atrapa, teñida con la sencillez y el tinte nostálgico que tienen las grandes historias antiguas.
Springger no nos presenta de manera lineal, cronológica o directa como son las cosas en este worlduilding, sino que a través de los comentarios y referencias de los personajes uno va haciéndose su composición de las normas de este mundo, sus estructuras y su historia. Al principio de la lecturas es posible que te sientas un poco perdido con tanta información que no sabes como hilvanar, pero rápidamente la autora te asienta perfectamente ibas entendiendo de qué va todo. Y eso es algo que lo personal valoro mucho cuando leo cualquier tipo de fantasía ubicada en un mundo propio, y que cuando está bien llevado me parece uno de los grandes puntazos de la lectura. Pero tal y como se dice el prólogo que acompaña a esta historia, la gracia de “El Ciervo Blanco” es la manera en que Springger maneja todos estos elementos y sabe darles un toque personal. Y es que se trata de una obra que no busca tanto recrear la sempiterna y manida batalla entre el bien y el mal abrir (que lo hace y muy bien, por cierto) como darle una patina de humanidad y realismo a sus personajes y a la historia, alejándoles de la solemnidad y el heroicismo cuando es menester. Y gracias a ello, todo el conjunto está inscrito en muchos matices, y no resulta para nada plano o soso. Uno siente al perderse en las páginas de este libro que está leyendo una historia que conoce y ha tenido entre manos mil veces, pero que al mismo tiempo tiene algo de novedoso y humano que le atrae hacia ella. Springger, como muchas autoras de la fantasía que publicaron en los años 70-80 del siglo pasado, compone una historia más centrada en lo personal de sus personajes y en como van evolucionando y cambiando a lo largo de la obra. En ese sentido ,esta lectura me ha recordado fuertemente a otra de mis novelas de fantasía favoritas, que fur una de mis mejores lecturas del año 2023, “Las Bestias Olvidadas de Eld” de Patricia A. McKillip. Al igual que en ella, en “El Ciervo Blanco” nos encontramos con una pulsión y perspectivas más intimistas del argumento; la típica quest en pos de aventuras y magia se trastoca en un viaje de corte más intimista , en el que también tienen su peso aspectos como la lealtad, la amistad, el deber y el amor.
Los personajes de Springger no son tan bondadosos como meramente reales. Son personas que sufren, dudan, tienen deseos fuertes que les enfrentan a sus deberes y sus propias virtudes y defectos. Como bien señala Alejo Cuervo en el ya mencionado prólogo de esta edición, la autora pone sobre el tapete la dualidad del hombre y su lucha interior, como dos elementos más de la historia, tan importantes como las armas de fantasía, los ejércitos y las profecías. Y eso se ve muy bien que para mí es el gran protagonista de la novela, Cuín el Halconero, primo y enamorado de Ellid y, por los engranajes de la fortuna, compañero de batallas e infortunios de Bevan. Ellid como protagonista, prometía mucho, pero al final termina quedando muy desdibujada y acaba convirtiéndose en el mero receptáculo de los deseos y aspiraciones de varios personajes masculinos (y eso me ha repateado mucho, me esperaba que una autora diera más potencia a sus caracteres femeninos); Bevan está intrínsecamente imbuido en un aura de héroe profetizado que pesa demasiado sobre él y hace que a ratos sea un personaje un tanto aburrido, y que le quita a veces cercanía a un carácter que realmente está muy bien construido. Porque es muy interesante esa distancia que siente hacia el resto del mundo y las personas que le rodean, y la patina un tanto trágica que tiene muchos de sus sentimientos y sensaciones. Pero es en Cuin con el que Springger se luce. Él es el personaje que se ve obligado a cambiar su perspectiva de su situación, a hacer cosas que nunca creyó posibles, el secundario que lentamente va convirtiéndose en héroe y líder de forma callada y sacrificada, el que tiene sentimientos que expresa a voz viva para el lector. Cuin no es alguien destinado a la grandeza y por cuyas venas corra sangre de dioses como Bevan. Ama a Ellid aunque sepa que ella no siente lo mismo y no puede evitar por ello odiar al principio al héroe. Pero las circunstancias le obligarán a sentir por el primero lealtad y luego un afecto sincero, y eso le llevará a un viaje iniciático típico del género fantástico y en esta novela está inscrito en unos términos que muchas veces resultan como veedores por los humanos o que son. Y es por ello que Cuin es el auténtico héroe de esta historia, el que realmente le cae bien al lector. Y junto a los otros dos personajes formará un triángulo amoroso que al principio parece muy tópico, con una pareja irremediablemente y un tercero en discordia que se ve relegado a un segundo plano. Pero en el último cuarto de la novela, Springger mete una vuelta de tuerca a este elemento que hace que la historia gane unas interesantes cuotas de originalidad que contribuyen a darle a “El Ciervo Blanco” un sabor diferente.
El libro es relativamente corto, no llega a las 200 páginas. Eso tiene algo bueno, y es que en todo momento está siempre pasando algo que hace que no puedas parar de leer y tu atención nunca decaiga. Pero a la vez hace que en ciertos momentos la autora pise el acelerador y que el ritmo resulte demasiado trepidante en ciertos momentos en los que se pedia más enfasis. En concreto hay un momento hacia la mitad que es decisivo para el viaje de Bevan y Cuin que me sorprendió por lo precipitadamente narrado que estaba. Para mí ese ha sido el motivo por el que en ciertos momentos de la lectura me ha costado conectar ya no solo con la trama, también a veces con los propios personajes.
Para acabar esta reseña, tengo que reconocer algo: No sé si recomendar a alguien leer “El Ciervo Blanco” por una razón muy sencilla y que yo he comentado antes: es el primer tomo de una serie que solo fueron publicados al español los dos primeros, y que se encuentran ambos más que descatalogados. Leyendo esta entrega uno puede percibir perfectamente que está frente a una fracción de algo más grande, que el mundo de Isla tiene mucho más que ofrecer, y que la autora solo está preparando el terreno para poder desarrollarlo en los siguientes libros. Y eso puede dar la sensación de pérdida de tiempo con este libro. Pero al mismo tiempo, creo que es una lectura con suficientes elementos interesantes para darle una oportunidad. La forma en que Nancy Soringger maneja los tópicos de la fantasía épica para hacer que las expectativas iniciales que lector pueda tener no se cumplan, y como los lleva a su terreno personal, me parecen más que meritorias.
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January 28, 2025A while ago, I posted on r/fantasy asking for help finding cheesy 80s and 90s fantasy reads by female authors. It turned into quite a poppin’ thread and I got a lot of great recs, this book among them. Reviews here described it as a pleasant, cozy read with lots of emphasis on love and friendship. Having read it now, I can say that this is pretty accurate. Is it good? I might not go that far.
There are some parts that are just hard to take seriously, especially when it comes to dated gender and sex stuff. The hero Bevan unironically tells his love interest Ellid that his loins yearn for her (shudder) and Ellid is oddly concerned about something she calls her “virgin zone,” which she fears will be damaged by riding a horse. I have to guess that she’s talking about her hymen, but I certainly have never heard it described in those terms before.
There’s lots of very 80s stuff about an ancient “Great Mother” religion and how the world was better when women were in charge because Women Are Nurturing While Men Are Violent. Meanwhile, Ellid does nothing except get kidnapped and rescued and interrogated about her virginity, wait around for Bevan while sewing, and then marry him only to be abandoned with a rapidity that is kind of hilarious.
Speaking of which - at the end of the book, Bevan immediately and inexplicably abandons his newfound kingdom, his wife and his best friend because he sees the ocean and gets obsessed with it. I believe this is supposed to be some kind of fated curse, but it’s never really explained as such. The relationships and goals that were the entire point of the book get dropped, Bevan builds a boat and sails away, and his best friend and wife cope by getting together at the very end. It’s…an ending, that’s one thing you can say for it.
There’s also a pretty significant plot hole in that Bevan’s enemy somehow knows that killing the enchanted white hart will also kill Bevan despite this being a secret that is known by only Bevan and his mother. Unless I missed an explanation, I don’t think there is any way that the evil king could have known about this.
Despite (and kind of because of) all of this, I found this book very charming with its classic tale of defeating sorcerous evil and its wannabe-Tolkien prose. Nancy Springer is now famous for her popular - and Netflix-adapted! - Enola Holmes books, which I read as a kid and liked. It’s fascinating to me to see how many successful authors have obscure little high fantasy ventures in their histories. Cheesy is what I asked for and cheesy is what I got - thank you r/fantasy!
There are some parts that are just hard to take seriously, especially when it comes to dated gender and sex stuff. The hero Bevan unironically tells his love interest Ellid that his loins yearn for her (shudder) and Ellid is oddly concerned about something she calls her “virgin zone,” which she fears will be damaged by riding a horse. I have to guess that she’s talking about her hymen, but I certainly have never heard it described in those terms before.
There’s lots of very 80s stuff about an ancient “Great Mother” religion and how the world was better when women were in charge because Women Are Nurturing While Men Are Violent. Meanwhile, Ellid does nothing except get kidnapped and rescued and interrogated about her virginity, wait around for Bevan while sewing, and then marry him only to be abandoned with a rapidity that is kind of hilarious.
Speaking of which - at the end of the book, Bevan immediately and inexplicably abandons his newfound kingdom, his wife and his best friend because he sees the ocean and gets obsessed with it. I believe this is supposed to be some kind of fated curse, but it’s never really explained as such. The relationships and goals that were the entire point of the book get dropped, Bevan builds a boat and sails away, and his best friend and wife cope by getting together at the very end. It’s…an ending, that’s one thing you can say for it.
There’s also a pretty significant plot hole in that Bevan’s enemy somehow knows that killing the enchanted white hart will also kill Bevan despite this being a secret that is known by only Bevan and his mother. Unless I missed an explanation, I don’t think there is any way that the evil king could have known about this.
Despite (and kind of because of) all of this, I found this book very charming with its classic tale of defeating sorcerous evil and its wannabe-Tolkien prose. Nancy Springer is now famous for her popular - and Netflix-adapted! - Enola Holmes books, which I read as a kid and liked. It’s fascinating to me to see how many successful authors have obscure little high fantasy ventures in their histories. Cheesy is what I asked for and cheesy is what I got - thank you r/fantasy!
February 12, 2018
“Pel shall pay the long-kept score/When the White Hart goes to war.”
Quaint. When published in 1979, this would have been a major accomplishment in epic fantasy, though its borrowings from The Lord of the Rings are many and obvious. It owes as much to nineteenth-century English romanticism and Celtic mythology. Springer did her homework. Still, not a compelling read by today’s standards.
“At the very worst, it will make a fine song.” “May the Mothers grant us life to hear it.”
A pleasant story, well-written, it nevertheless is predictable and syrupy. The plot opens with a strong, believable female lead, then abandons her partway through to follow the story of two men. Disappointing.
“Great is your gift of love … and great will be your pain in it.”
Quaint. When published in 1979, this would have been a major accomplishment in epic fantasy, though its borrowings from The Lord of the Rings are many and obvious. It owes as much to nineteenth-century English romanticism and Celtic mythology. Springer did her homework. Still, not a compelling read by today’s standards.
“At the very worst, it will make a fine song.” “May the Mothers grant us life to hear it.”
A pleasant story, well-written, it nevertheless is predictable and syrupy. The plot opens with a strong, believable female lead, then abandons her partway through to follow the story of two men. Disappointing.
“Great is your gift of love … and great will be your pain in it.”
December 20, 2017
This was such a lovely book, I read this years ago and up to this point most of what I had read had been rather bleak. The writing in this was so lyrical and even a little romantic, and the story was full of friendship, legends, and love.
The land of Isle was as magical and captivating to me now as it was in years past, though I can see where the story has aged in comparison to today. It maybe is a little thin in details, characterization… etc... but I have such a fondness for this book I really don’t care. To me I always thought it read more like a fairy tale and probably is a big part of my ongoing love of fairy tale retelling's to this day.
These days, this style might not suit everyone but it’s such a wonderfully magical story it’s worth checking out.
The land of Isle was as magical and captivating to me now as it was in years past, though I can see where the story has aged in comparison to today. It maybe is a little thin in details, characterization… etc... but I have such a fondness for this book I really don’t care. To me I always thought it read more like a fairy tale and probably is a big part of my ongoing love of fairy tale retelling's to this day.
These days, this style might not suit everyone but it’s such a wonderfully magical story it’s worth checking out.
March 25, 2011
What this book made me realize, is that while I usually read fantasy books, they typically are either Middle Grade or YA. Therefore, I was in for a slight learning curve when I delved into "White Hart" which is more adult. So, for my review, bare in mind that I'm not so used to this specific fantasy genre - neither the style of language nor the flow - and that the closet thing I've come to it is probably the incredible Lord of the Rings trilogy, which is a lot to compare any book to!
"White Hart" is broken into three "books." The first book starts with princess Ellid being rescued from captors by Bevan, a peaceful but powerful man. He is gentle and kind, and loves the night and the moon. She, for her part, is instantly interested in him and drawn in by him. But, is Bevan 100% human? Or is he more a man of gods?
*******THE FOLLOW SETS-UP BOOK II, IF YOU WANT TO BE COMPLETELY SURPRISED, READ NO FURTHER*********
Books two picks up where book one left off, but the focus switches to that of Bevan and Cuin, the man Ellid was meant to marry. Obviously when it appears that Bevan will not only take Cuin's love, but his throne as well (since prophecy claims Bevan to be High King) Cuin doesn't have the tenderest of feelings towards Bevan.
However, Cuin quickly learns that Bevan is a good man and Bevan earns not only Cuin's respect but his stead-fast friendship as well.
What follows is the consistent bond between Cuin and Bevan in their travels and battles, their attempts to understand the world and their place in it.
For me, I love a good guy-friend story, and the bond that Cuin and Bevan share is enjoyable to see, especially since I liked both their characters individually.
I think this book is probably more of a four-star book, but since I was not familiar with the style and pacing I sometimes found it hard to figure out where the plot was moving, and I didn't know that the climaxes were approaching until we were already at them.
The book is a wee bit over dramatic at points, but that didn't really bother me too much.
As far as the ending, it made sense, and Springer kept the book unpredictable and I don't think she cheated at any point - the "writing was on the wall" so to speak, and I was glad to read a book that I hadn't figured out the ending before I got there. That said, it probably wasn't the ending that I would have chosen, but that doesn't mean that it was bad or wrong.
So, all in all this book is probably better than I could appreciate, but I did still get a lot of enjoyment from reading it. I'm sure those who are more familiar with this style will enjoy the book even more, and it's an interesting book to step into this genre with.
"White Hart" is broken into three "books." The first book starts with princess Ellid being rescued from captors by Bevan, a peaceful but powerful man. He is gentle and kind, and loves the night and the moon. She, for her part, is instantly interested in him and drawn in by him. But, is Bevan 100% human? Or is he more a man of gods?
*******THE FOLLOW SETS-UP BOOK II, IF YOU WANT TO BE COMPLETELY SURPRISED, READ NO FURTHER*********
Books two picks up where book one left off, but the focus switches to that of Bevan and Cuin, the man Ellid was meant to marry. Obviously when it appears that Bevan will not only take Cuin's love, but his throne as well (since prophecy claims Bevan to be High King) Cuin doesn't have the tenderest of feelings towards Bevan.
However, Cuin quickly learns that Bevan is a good man and Bevan earns not only Cuin's respect but his stead-fast friendship as well.
What follows is the consistent bond between Cuin and Bevan in their travels and battles, their attempts to understand the world and their place in it.
For me, I love a good guy-friend story, and the bond that Cuin and Bevan share is enjoyable to see, especially since I liked both their characters individually.
I think this book is probably more of a four-star book, but since I was not familiar with the style and pacing I sometimes found it hard to figure out where the plot was moving, and I didn't know that the climaxes were approaching until we were already at them.
The book is a wee bit over dramatic at points, but that didn't really bother me too much.
As far as the ending, it made sense, and Springer kept the book unpredictable and I don't think she cheated at any point - the "writing was on the wall" so to speak, and I was glad to read a book that I hadn't figured out the ending before I got there. That said, it probably wasn't the ending that I would have chosen, but that doesn't mean that it was bad or wrong.
So, all in all this book is probably better than I could appreciate, but I did still get a lot of enjoyment from reading it. I'm sure those who are more familiar with this style will enjoy the book even more, and it's an interesting book to step into this genre with.
January 14, 2009
This was Springer's first novel, and a far cry from the odd magical-realism that she was writing in the mid-90s. It is really quite a competent book, very tonally reminiscent of Evangeline Walton's work with Welsh myth except in a world that's (somewhat) Springer's own creation. There's a kidnapped noblewoman and a guy who talks to mythical animals and a love triangle and all that good stuff, in a Welsh-ish setting with gods and elves.
Unfortunately, the novel suffers from the passage of time. In 1979 all the fantasy tropes that turn up were still fresh & new, as fantasy as a recognised marketed genre was itself a relatively new thing. As a reader now, though, I am aware of how many times this material has been used, and that Springer is (almost by definition) not doing anything new & different with it. I did enjoy it, and I think it could be a good read for a teenager, since there are some beautiful scenes and nice angsty character moments. The tonal dryness might be off-putting to a young reader, though; I think Springer was going for a Tolkienesque historical feel by using a very formal voice in the narration, which means not as many juicy emotion moments as the relationships allow.
Unfortunately, the novel suffers from the passage of time. In 1979 all the fantasy tropes that turn up were still fresh & new, as fantasy as a recognised marketed genre was itself a relatively new thing. As a reader now, though, I am aware of how many times this material has been used, and that Springer is (almost by definition) not doing anything new & different with it. I did enjoy it, and I think it could be a good read for a teenager, since there are some beautiful scenes and nice angsty character moments. The tonal dryness might be off-putting to a young reader, though; I think Springer was going for a Tolkienesque historical feel by using a very formal voice in the narration, which means not as many juicy emotion moments as the relationships allow.
December 27, 2009
I read this book long ago and as far as I know it's long out of print. It is an example of pure and even classic fantasy. I sup[pose you would call it a romance but I mean that in the old fashioned sense and not in the modern sense. if you can find it it's worth the read.
February 21, 2019
this is horrifying. THIS person wrote the enola holmes books?!?!??? this book is high fantasy drivel and the couple kisses every two pages.
September 28, 2020
Read it years ago, remember only a shining positive vibe...
January 31, 2020
Al inicio tiene un aire muy de cuento y aunque transite por muchos lugares comunes ese aire lo hace diferente. Sin embargo, a medida que avanza se va perdiendo esa sensación y sale más a la luz su estructura, que le falta cuerpo, es frío y aplana un poco.
March 25, 2024
I own this series. I was given four of the books, but bought one of the books in order to complete the collection. I'm not sure I like it. It's a bit of archaic fantasy. The language is intentionally old-fashioned. It's less accessible for that reason. It is readable. I just ran out of library books, so I had to go to one I own. Thankfully, I've replenished my stack of library books. I will put the rest of this series on pause indefinitely.
February 13, 2022
I think I loved this more when I was young. But I still liked it well enough, although it was a bit flowery.
April 18, 2018
I have never figured out what it is about this book. As others have said, it's not hugely original. The narrative voice is very formal and distant and there's a sense of the biblical to it. The ending is definitely not neat and satisfying.
And yet ... and yet. I must have read this book half a dozen times at least, trying to figure out what's so compelling about it. The best I can think of is that the author did not hold back. She had no embarrassment or awkwardness about this book and gave it everything she wanted to without worrying what the reader would think. There is a certain power to it that one doesn't generally find in books, especially of this era. Lent it to a dear friend who read it and returned it with an irritated expression and a statement that she felt 'it' too, and she did /not/ enjoy it.
The relationships among the three main characters--Bevan, Ellid, and Cuin--are interesting and also complex. The god-like Bevan treads upon the merely-human Cuin's every right and expectation, and slowly comes to see and regret what he's doing to his friend at the same time as Cuin becomes a near-saint in giving all of those things up willingly--that piece of plot being saved from a saccharine-sweet nature by the obvious pain his sacrifices cause him. Ellid, the woman both men love, is relatively bland but does have some character development over the course of the piece.
Bevan reads to me as having a certain Jesus imagery about him, though he is certainly presented as having faults and shame. He's not my favorite character in the universe, and the mythology around him always makes me feel like there's more to this universe that I just don't understand. There's also some David-and-Jonathan influence. I'm going to guess Springer has a thorough background in the Christian bible.
This is an odd book, fascinating, gut-wrenching, and viscerally enjoyable. I have read some of Springer's other work and don't find it has the same effect, being more similar to other books of their time. Which isn't a bad thing, certainly, but I think I may reread The White Hart again some time soon.
And yet ... and yet. I must have read this book half a dozen times at least, trying to figure out what's so compelling about it. The best I can think of is that the author did not hold back. She had no embarrassment or awkwardness about this book and gave it everything she wanted to without worrying what the reader would think. There is a certain power to it that one doesn't generally find in books, especially of this era. Lent it to a dear friend who read it and returned it with an irritated expression and a statement that she felt 'it' too, and she did /not/ enjoy it.
The relationships among the three main characters--Bevan, Ellid, and Cuin--are interesting and also complex. The god-like Bevan treads upon the merely-human Cuin's every right and expectation, and slowly comes to see and regret what he's doing to his friend at the same time as Cuin becomes a near-saint in giving all of those things up willingly--that piece of plot being saved from a saccharine-sweet nature by the obvious pain his sacrifices cause him. Ellid, the woman both men love, is relatively bland but does have some character development over the course of the piece.
Bevan reads to me as having a certain Jesus imagery about him, though he is certainly presented as having faults and shame. He's not my favorite character in the universe, and the mythology around him always makes me feel like there's more to this universe that I just don't understand. There's also some David-and-Jonathan influence. I'm going to guess Springer has a thorough background in the Christian bible.
This is an odd book, fascinating, gut-wrenching, and viscerally enjoyable. I have read some of Springer's other work and don't find it has the same effect, being more similar to other books of their time. Which isn't a bad thing, certainly, but I think I may reread The White Hart again some time soon.
July 10, 2018
Nancy Springer attempts to weave a sort of original legendarium, taking cues from Celtic mythology and Arthurian legend. Some of the elements of her mythos are intriguing, but her stylistic and narrative choices hamper the story, keeping it and the primary characters at a distance from the reader. Bevan, the "warlock prince"/semi-protagonist of the story, especially suffers from this. "Mysterious and unknowable" is intriguing for a time, but not long enough to keep the reader engaged throughout the story. Cuin, on the other hand, is such a lovely character that the raw hand the story deals him constantly is downright aggravating to read. Perhaps the author wants it to creep up on the reader, but realizing much earlier in the story that
October 5, 2014
It's hard to judge a novel like this, decades after its time, when the archetypes upon which it draws have become cliché and the style has become something most modern readers don't appreciate. To me, I love the lyricism, the flow, the stylized language - it is one part novel, one part poem / ballad / ode. It feels mythical, even though the land in which events occur is invented. This book draws deeply upon Celtic, specifically Welsh, mythic sensibilities. (I read this first as a child - in hindsight, it's easy to see why I adored it, coming out of The Prydain Chronicles, which are themselves a loose retelling of Welsh mythology. It's certainly part of my lifelong affinity for all things Welsh.)
This novel relies heavily upon destiny, fate, and the motion of powers beyond ourselves - powers against which even gods have trouble standing. For the most part, the power of the language carries these elements and makes the reader (or at least me-as-reader) feel the mystery and inevitability. However, there are other places where, with more modern fantasy sensibilities, I'm just not sold on the inescapable nature of events. As a child, I was wholly swept away; as an adult, there are places where I can only say, "Bevan is a jerk."
I also have to say that the prophecy, written as all such things are, about the future line ending with a character named Hal ... that made me giggle. Because when I hear the name Hal, I picture a balding plumber. (This would actually be a great story, but I'm sure the like has been written.)
That said, this is a lovely work, as long as you treat it as half story and half poetry; there is a kind of fairytale logic to it. It shows its age, but it is based on some of the elements that give fantasy its power, and those are timeless.
This novel relies heavily upon destiny, fate, and the motion of powers beyond ourselves - powers against which even gods have trouble standing. For the most part, the power of the language carries these elements and makes the reader (or at least me-as-reader) feel the mystery and inevitability. However, there are other places where, with more modern fantasy sensibilities, I'm just not sold on the inescapable nature of events. As a child, I was wholly swept away; as an adult, there are places where I can only say, "Bevan is a jerk."
I also have to say that the prophecy, written as all such things are, about the future line ending with a character named Hal ... that made me giggle. Because when I hear the name Hal, I picture a balding plumber. (This would actually be a great story, but I'm sure the like has been written.)
That said, this is a lovely work, as long as you treat it as half story and half poetry; there is a kind of fairytale logic to it. It shows its age, but it is based on some of the elements that give fantasy its power, and those are timeless.
April 26, 2020
I have a special place in my heart for Nancy Springer books. I think that part of the appeal is in the embedded heart of each of her stories: whether it is about fey, or angels, or magic beings of different sorts; whether it is a YA book or an adult book. Springer's stories, filled with good vs evil, the protagonist(s) are always filled with a kind of glowing love that transcends the stories. They always seem to be written from a childhood innocence that bleeds through the beautiful words on the page and into a finely wrought tale.
The books bring back a more quieter time--even though great evil is surrounding the young and, sometimes naive men and women paving the path to the climax of the story.
All her books feel like fairy tales written many centuries ago and THE WHITE HART is no exception. Happiness is the goal, but Springer doesn't put on rose colored glasses, she acknowledges -- even in happiness -- darkness still abides.
The story and THE ODDLING PRINCE have much in common. The story weaves like the ancient Ylim's tapestry between two men--one born of "gods" the other of man. Finding friendship, rather brotherhood and their bond that saves the world, Isle, from a darkness. Part of that darkness is a mad, ambitious king.
If you like the fairy tale magical world of fantasy, you will love Nancy Springer's books. I am on to the second Book of Isle soon.
The books bring back a more quieter time--even though great evil is surrounding the young and, sometimes naive men and women paving the path to the climax of the story.
All her books feel like fairy tales written many centuries ago and THE WHITE HART is no exception. Happiness is the goal, but Springer doesn't put on rose colored glasses, she acknowledges -- even in happiness -- darkness still abides.
The story and THE ODDLING PRINCE have much in common. The story weaves like the ancient Ylim's tapestry between two men--one born of "gods" the other of man. Finding friendship, rather brotherhood and their bond that saves the world, Isle, from a darkness. Part of that darkness is a mad, ambitious king.
If you like the fairy tale magical world of fantasy, you will love Nancy Springer's books. I am on to the second Book of Isle soon.
March 11, 2015
I will read more books by this author.
May 2, 2024
"Of all his adventures, Cuin was never to know a time so fearful and beautiful, beauty of dragons and beauty of Bevan's comradeship."
I seem to be haunted by other people's encounters with dragons in my recent reading. This is a re-read of a book I last probably read 30 years ago. I found these books in the Hippy Shop in Lancaster. A shop that I have fond memories of. I read and re-read them over the course of a few years and then, when my fantasy reading ended, I haven't read them since. But recently I thought I'd go back to them.
"Sorrow will turn to stone unless you weep. I thought it would come before this. Weep it out."
I don't know whether in the modern world they might not quality as 'romantasy', although the real romance - bromance - is between Bevan and Cuin. Ellid, the princess, is a love interest for both, to the pain of Cuin. But the growing love of Cuin for Bevan (and vice versa) is the centre of the book really. Bevan is a child of Gods come to the mortal realm and mortality. Cuin is a Prince. This love does speak its name but it is never sexual. Perhaps if it was written now it would have been and the relationship would have been more of a love triangle.
"Bevan opened his eyes slowly. "Oh, Cuin, you bleed," he whispered, and tears wet his cheeks. Cuin stared, for he had never known his comrade to weep. Bevan turned his face to the stone and sobbed. With aching effort, Cuin put an arm around him. "
I mean one of my bugbears is the inability of English straight men to tell their male friends that they love them without everyone feeling awkward so this stuff is great.
Throughout you feel that things may not end as happily as we would hope, but you're never quite sure. They take on and defeat the big bad - who seems to have a zombie army of sorts. But the enemies in this book are not just gods, but human ambition and greed.
The style can feel a bit artificial sometimes. That sort of faux dignified language and this reads more like classic fantasy than new fantasy, but then it was written 40 years ago.
I enjoyed it. I think I was touched by the relationship at the centre of the book more than I expected. It's not enemies to lovers. Again, perhaps now it would be. It is the first book in the 'Book of the Isle' series and I will be picking up the next one, 'The Silver Sun' next month. I've finished the Earthsea trilogy re-read.
I seem to be haunted by other people's encounters with dragons in my recent reading. This is a re-read of a book I last probably read 30 years ago. I found these books in the Hippy Shop in Lancaster. A shop that I have fond memories of. I read and re-read them over the course of a few years and then, when my fantasy reading ended, I haven't read them since. But recently I thought I'd go back to them.
"Sorrow will turn to stone unless you weep. I thought it would come before this. Weep it out."
I don't know whether in the modern world they might not quality as 'romantasy', although the real romance - bromance - is between Bevan and Cuin. Ellid, the princess, is a love interest for both, to the pain of Cuin. But the growing love of Cuin for Bevan (and vice versa) is the centre of the book really. Bevan is a child of Gods come to the mortal realm and mortality. Cuin is a Prince. This love does speak its name but it is never sexual. Perhaps if it was written now it would have been and the relationship would have been more of a love triangle.
"Bevan opened his eyes slowly. "Oh, Cuin, you bleed," he whispered, and tears wet his cheeks. Cuin stared, for he had never known his comrade to weep. Bevan turned his face to the stone and sobbed. With aching effort, Cuin put an arm around him. "
I mean one of my bugbears is the inability of English straight men to tell their male friends that they love them without everyone feeling awkward so this stuff is great.
Throughout you feel that things may not end as happily as we would hope, but you're never quite sure. They take on and defeat the big bad - who seems to have a zombie army of sorts. But the enemies in this book are not just gods, but human ambition and greed.
The style can feel a bit artificial sometimes. That sort of faux dignified language and this reads more like classic fantasy than new fantasy, but then it was written 40 years ago.
I enjoyed it. I think I was touched by the relationship at the centre of the book more than I expected. It's not enemies to lovers. Again, perhaps now it would be. It is the first book in the 'Book of the Isle' series and I will be picking up the next one, 'The Silver Sun' next month. I've finished the Earthsea trilogy re-read.
May 14, 2022
A very enjoyable fantasy novella. From the very early days of fantasy, it has shades of Tolkien but I think this is over emphasised by many reviewers. I think it draws more in tone from celtic romanticism.
There are three central charecters Bevan, Cuin and Ellid. Bevan is godling and intentional made mysterious, Ellid is more fully drawn but is abandoned for large sections of the narrative, so in many ways this is Cuin's story, and his story has a lot of pain triumph and strong representation of the self sacrificing hero.
The story is very archetypal but well told.
The stories elements are largely drawn from Welsh and Irish myth.
I find Nancy Springers early work similar to Patricia A. McKillip both seem as much influenced by celtic myth as my tolkien both have more feminine voice, both have worlds offer worlds that are more lightly realized.
Reading it again for the first time since I was a teen and specifically thinking about how fantasy has developed and how it reflects and processes our mythos was quite interesting.
Tolkien's world is undergirded with his very in depth thinking on Christian theology. Most fantasy that comes after him is post christian in some sense. The white hart feels somewhat neo-pagan there is single scene that presages oncoming Christianity and it is negatively coded. However the gods are humanized and the idea of god above the gods is made clear at the end, pointing to a kind of Panentheist spirituality lying under the story.
There are three central charecters Bevan, Cuin and Ellid. Bevan is godling and intentional made mysterious, Ellid is more fully drawn but is abandoned for large sections of the narrative, so in many ways this is Cuin's story, and his story has a lot of pain triumph and strong representation of the self sacrificing hero.
The story is very archetypal but well told.
The stories elements are largely drawn from Welsh and Irish myth.
I find Nancy Springers early work similar to Patricia A. McKillip both seem as much influenced by celtic myth as my tolkien both have more feminine voice, both have worlds offer worlds that are more lightly realized.
Reading it again for the first time since I was a teen and specifically thinking about how fantasy has developed and how it reflects and processes our mythos was quite interesting.
Tolkien's world is undergirded with his very in depth thinking on Christian theology. Most fantasy that comes after him is post christian in some sense. The white hart feels somewhat neo-pagan there is single scene that presages oncoming Christianity and it is negatively coded. However the gods are humanized and the idea of god above the gods is made clear at the end, pointing to a kind of Panentheist spirituality lying under the story.
June 3, 2019
Some books read like licking sandpaper, such as The White Hart (1979) by Nancy Springer. Whatever this book was supposed to touch or accomplish, it completely missed me. At a brief 200 pages, the suffering passed quickly.
I feel quite sad that I didn't like this book. I had seen it in the library when I was young, never quite getting around to read it, so I bought it hoping for some forgotten treasure, not a collection of used bottlecaps and a headless Barbie.
Nothing about the book connected with me. I thought nothing of the three primary characters, all of whom were created with the broadest of brush strokes, speaking in stilted, pseudo-historical English. This isn't bad, by itself, and I've seen it work for some stories, but for this story, which is quite personal, the overall effect alienated me rather than pulled me in.
The book is most akin to the middle grade fantasies of the time, trying to take after the more successful books of that genre, but failing to catch the zeitgeist that those had. There was no lightning, but also no bottle. There wasn't even anything timely or curious about the implementation. I literally found nothing in this work, except maybe the lesson, "Don't write like this."
When I was a kid, I may have like the work better, but given that I never picked it out of the book rack, I think that I had exercised fair judgement.
I feel quite sad that I didn't like this book. I had seen it in the library when I was young, never quite getting around to read it, so I bought it hoping for some forgotten treasure, not a collection of used bottlecaps and a headless Barbie.
Nothing about the book connected with me. I thought nothing of the three primary characters, all of whom were created with the broadest of brush strokes, speaking in stilted, pseudo-historical English. This isn't bad, by itself, and I've seen it work for some stories, but for this story, which is quite personal, the overall effect alienated me rather than pulled me in.
The book is most akin to the middle grade fantasies of the time, trying to take after the more successful books of that genre, but failing to catch the zeitgeist that those had. There was no lightning, but also no bottle. There wasn't even anything timely or curious about the implementation. I literally found nothing in this work, except maybe the lesson, "Don't write like this."
When I was a kid, I may have like the work better, but given that I never picked it out of the book rack, I think that I had exercised fair judgement.
July 5, 2024
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)
I'm finally going through my physical library owned book list, to add more older basic reviews. If I liked a book enough to keep then they are at the least a 3 star.
I'm only adding one book per author and I'm not going to re-read every book to be more accurate, not when I have 1000s of new to me authors to try (I can't say no to free books....)
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: Yes
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
I'm finally going through my physical library owned book list, to add more older basic reviews. If I liked a book enough to keep then they are at the least a 3 star.
I'm only adding one book per author and I'm not going to re-read every book to be more accurate, not when I have 1000s of new to me authors to try (I can't say no to free books....)
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: Yes
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
January 8, 2024
There was nothing particularly bad about this book, but it didn't have that much going for it either. It's pretty straight down the line pulp high fantasy. There were some grumblings early on about a woman's place and how it's unfair women have to sit sideways on their horses, but then the rest of the book was a whole lot of blokes waving phallic objects around and proclaiming themselves kings. The book does return to the sitting on a horse issue right at the end which I found amusing, but the book lacked substance, the world felt indistinct, and there was a heavy reliance on clichés. Another minor quibble I had is with the chunks of faulty conlang - these were very poorly constructed and given translations directly afterwards in quare brackets, which is a sure way to interrupt the story. These nonsense sentences were also completely understandable from the context and didn't need translations.
I've got the sequels on the shelf so we'll see if they make any impressive developments but I wasn't overwhelmed with confidence by the first one.
I've got the sequels on the shelf so we'll see if they make any impressive developments but I wasn't overwhelmed with confidence by the first one.
February 24, 2018
I was dubious about this, given that it is a fantasy book for adults with a cover that appeals to children and is only 202 pages long.
But I was pleasantly surprised!
This is a book full of wonderful characters who are not overexplained so much is left to your imagination, which works for the character of Bevan inparticular, who is rather mysterious.
The story itself isn't hugely deep, but I wouldn't expect (nor want) it to be given the length
The language used is phenomenal! Springer has a real way with words, and although it took a while to get into her style, once I did I was hooked.
There is a real legendary quality to this book, as if it were a retelling of some ancient myth or legend. Absolutely superb!
I really recommend this to all fantasy fans, it is truly remarkable!
But I was pleasantly surprised!
This is a book full of wonderful characters who are not overexplained so much is left to your imagination, which works for the character of Bevan inparticular, who is rather mysterious.
The story itself isn't hugely deep, but I wouldn't expect (nor want) it to be given the length
The language used is phenomenal! Springer has a real way with words, and although it took a while to get into her style, once I did I was hooked.
There is a real legendary quality to this book, as if it were a retelling of some ancient myth or legend. Absolutely superb!
I really recommend this to all fantasy fans, it is truly remarkable!
April 8, 2024
Una obra de arte de la fantasía!!! un libro bien hecho, todo encaja, todo tiene sentido, puedes relajarte y disfrutar y dejarte llevar, evadirte por un rato del mundo de cada día dejándote envolver en un mundo donde hay esperanza para el amor y para la paz a pesar del ansia de poder y de la envidia, donde las mujeres tienen funciones y cosas que decir más allá del segundo plano detrás de los hombres. He disfrutado cada minuto del libro, si bien la primera vez que comencé a leerlo me perdí demasiadas cosas en las primeras páginas y cuando iba por un tercio volví a empezar de nuevo para recuperar esos detalles que me había perdido. Quizá al principio hay demasiada información difícil de hilar, al menos para mi, pero en la segunda lectura descubrí el sentido de cada frase que no había entendido.
November 28, 2018
My family bookshelf had a copy of book 4 of this series, and I remember admiring the cover art of the Black Beast from a young age. But I prefer not to read these things out of order! I bought books 1 to 3, so that I would be able to properly enjoy number 4, waiting for me on that shelf.
I never got to book 4; I stopped after finishing book 1.
Now there is nothing wrong with this book but the style just doesn't speak to me. I found it a bit lackluster and, ultimately, forgettable. I love seeing a favourite story continued in its sequels, but this ended up being maybe the first series where I was all geared up to enjoy it then chose to leave it.
I did finish the book, and I don't regret reading it, but I have no desire to dip into this world again.
I never got to book 4; I stopped after finishing book 1.
Now there is nothing wrong with this book but the style just doesn't speak to me. I found it a bit lackluster and, ultimately, forgettable. I love seeing a favourite story continued in its sequels, but this ended up being maybe the first series where I was all geared up to enjoy it then chose to leave it.
I did finish the book, and I don't regret reading it, but I have no desire to dip into this world again.
Read
October 23, 2025Welcome to Isle, a land of fantasy that existed long before there were such things. Surrounded by vast oceans and dotted with thick forests, Isle was a land in which all beings lived together. There were gods and ghosts dwelling with the Old Ones, the wise ancient ancestors. During this period, The Book of Suns began its life, though little was known about its contents. The mighty marriage between Sun and Moon begins an adventure never seen before.
June 11, 2019
Like several other reviewers, I found this book as a teenager at the used book store, read it several times and loved it. 30 years later I reread it, and liked it very much. I had to really pay attention because the language could be a bit confusing. But it was sweet and, while not exciting per say, was a page turner. Now I'll read the rest of the series.
November 6, 2022
La forma de narrar de Nancy Springer es hipnótica y cautivadora, atrapa y no permite apartar la vista. Dentro de la fantasía clásica, resulta rompedora por el tratamiento de personajes que se alejan de los arquetipos, por su lenguaje poético sin resultar ñoño y por su capacidad para evocar imágenes tanto bucólicas y ensoñadoras como verdaderamente terroríficas.
December 10, 2017
Es un libro precioso. Mola porque los personajes parecen tener actitudes consideradas como "femeninas" y son todos tan nobles y tan monos que ay. El único problema ha sido el final, que me ha parecido un poco sacado de la manga por un cambio de actitud repentino de cierto personaje
July 7, 2018
Mythic Fantasy?
I read this with a group of friends (book club kind of thing), and probably wouldn't have picked it up otherwise. It was okay, but I'm not interested in reading the remaining parts of the series.
I read this with a group of friends (book club kind of thing), and probably wouldn't have picked it up otherwise. It was okay, but I'm not interested in reading the remaining parts of the series.
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