Product Description

When young Alvar Alvarson is evicted from his farm for non-payment of taxes, he sets out to make his own way in the world. Charged by the sinister old enchanter Doctor Meliboe with delivering a message to a secret band of conspirators, he finds himself caught up in a plot against the ruling military caste. His life becomes a whirlwind of action, colour and conflict as he first falls for the passionate girl-soldier, Evadne, and then is forced to head up a desperate rebellion against the country's rulers. Colourful characters and swashbuckling adventures abound as Alvar makes his way from adolescence to manhood.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #29801 in Books
• Published on: 2001-11-08
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Synopsis
When young Alvar Alvarson is evicted from his farm for non-payment of taxes, he sets out to make his own way in the world. Charged by the sinister old enchanter Doctor Meliboe with delivering a message to a secret band of conspirators, he finds himself caught up in a plot against the ruling military caste. His life becomes a whirlwind of action, colour and conflict as he first falls for the passionate girl-soldier, Evadne, and then is forced to head up a desperate rebellion against the country's rulers. Colourful characters and swashbuckling adventures abound as Alvar makes his way from adolescence to manhood.

About the Author
SALES POINTS Part of the Fantasy Masterworks series 'A classic . . . the purest example ever written [of] the novel of the created world' Baird Searles 'A determined and conscientous attempt to bring a new gravitas to sword and sorcery' The Encyclopedia of Fantasy; 'A rousing tale of swordplay and sorcery, an appealing love story, and a shrewd and subtle commentary on problems of politics, morals, and philosophy . . . It will not only grip your attention but also leave you with so much food for thought afterwards that you will want to go back and re-read it' L. Sprague De Camp Set in a brilliantly realised mediaeval world, The Well of the Unicorn is a fine novel that blazed a trail for much of contemporary fantasy

Customer Reviews

A must for any serious fantasy reader
This book lacks the atmosphere of most fantasy novels and is written in a rather down to earth style. Not much magic and Alvar Alvarson isn't a thoroughly engaging character. I suspect Fletcher Pratt was at his happiest when writing his wonderful spoofs on Romance with L. Sprague de Camp. Neither writer got better than The Compleat Enchanter. I bought it because Michael Moorcock recommends it in his study of Epic Fantasy 'Wizardry and Wild Romance', but to be honest I found it slow. Not boring. But slow. What is interesting about it is that it was written before there was any sort of established genre so as with Poul Anderson's The Broken Sword (a far superior Norse epic which preceded Tolkein) Pratt was making his own rules. A lot of journeying about ssome longeurs, but never unreadable. Hard to describe better. I'm glad I read it.