The Field of Clover

"The Field of Clover" by Laurence Housman is a fantasy novel written in the late 19th century. The story follows a character named Noodle, a simpleton who embarks on a whimsical adventure filled with magical encounters, enchanted objects, and mystical beings as he seeks to improve his situation in life. The narrative weaves themes of wisdom, ambition, and love, providing readers with a rich and imaginative experience. The opening of the book sets the stage by introducing Noodle, a man born to wise parents yet disappointingly simple compared to their expectations. After his parents' death, he struggles for survival until a fortuitous encounter with seven little Fire-eaters changes his fortunes. They reward his hospitality with a magical firestone ring that provides him with extraordinary abilities. Noodle's journey takes him through various challenges, including mastering a powerful Galloping Plough and interacting with whimsical characters, all with the overarching goal of finding happiness and love. He becomes embroiled in a quest that leads him toward a princess under a spell and showcases a combination of earnest questing and comedic mishaps inherent in classic fairy tales. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Laurence Housman was an English playwright, writer and illustrator whose career stretched from the 1890s to the 1950s. He studied art in London and worked largely as an illustrator during the first years of his career, before shifting focus to writing. He was a younger brother of the poet A. E. Housman and his sister and fellow activist in the women's suffrage movement was writer/illustrator Clemence Housman.