A Dreamer's Tales

"A Dreamer's Tales" by Lord Dunsany is a collection of whimsical and imaginative short stories written in the early 20th century. The book explores themes of fantasy, adventure, and the human experience, often set against rich and surreal landscapes. Through its poetic prose, it invites readers into magical realms populated by colorful characters and profound reflections on beauty and existence. The opening of "A Dreamer's Tales" introduces readers to the enchanting lands of the Inner Kingdoms, where the peaceful townsfolk live under the shadow of the towering mountain Poltarnees, which overlooks the mysterious Sea. The narrative revolves around the allure that the Sea holds for the young men of these lands, leading to their insatiable longing to explore beyond the mountains despite never returning. The focus soon shifts to Princess Hilnaric, the beautiful daughter of the king of Arizim, who becomes central to a quest undertaken by a young man named Athelvok. Athelvok vows to uncover the secrets of the Sea and is promised Hilnaric's hand in marriage if he succeeds, setting the stage for an intricate tale filled with themes of desire, adventure, and the unknown. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Edward John Moreton Drax Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany, commonly known as Lord Dunsany, was an Anglo-Irish writer and dramatist. He published more than 90 books during his lifetime, and his output consisted of hundreds of short stories, plays, novels, and essays; further works were published posthumously. Having gained a name in the 1910s as a great writer in the English-speaking world, he is best known today for the 1924 fantasy novel The King of Elfland's Daughter, and his first book, The Gods of Pegāna, which depicts a fictional pantheon. Many critics feel his early work laid grounds for the fantasy genre.