Don Rodriguez: Chronicles of Shadow Valley

by Lord Dunsany

Book Overview

Don Rodriguez: Chronicles of Shadow Valley (1922). Having established himself as a bestselling author of short fiction, Dunsany published Don Rodriguez: Chronicles of Shadow Valley, his first novel. Recognized as a pioneering author of fantasy and science fiction, Dunsany is a man whose work, in the words of H. P. Lovecraft, remains "unexcelled in the sorcery of crystalline singing prose, and supreme in the creation of a gorgeous...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1513282794
• ISBN13: 9781513282794
• Release Date: May 2021
• Publisher: Mint Editions
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Rich writing and swashbuckling plot

This is the first novel by Lord Dunsany (aka Edward JMD Plunkett), a turn of the 19th/20th century author who was a pioneer in what was to become the genre of "Fantasy". His writing is some of the richest, most beautiful English I've ever read and his novels are a treasure for that reason alone. He also has an insight and storytelling skill that rates his writing as "literature" - much more so than all but the best fantasy authors (such as Ursula LeGuin). That being said, this novel is notable for being a little more "fun" than his high fantasy that follows - it has a lot of humor and derring-do in it and is somewhat reminiscent of Dumas's "Three Musketeers" in that element. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard while reading such excellent prose! The plot revolves around the adventures of a young Spanish gentleman, who not being the eldest son will not inherit his father's property must seek his own fortune. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys Dumas, Stevenson, "The Princess Bride", or Zorro!