The King of Elfland's Daughter

"The King of Elfland's Daughter" by Lord Dunsany is a fantasy novel written in the early 20th century. The story follows Alveric, the son of the Lord of Erl, as he embarks on a perilous quest to wed Lirazel, the enchanting daughter of the King of Elfland. This narrative weaves together themes of magic and the intersection of earthly and fairy realms, exploring the consequences of love and the longing for eternal beauty. At the start of the tale, the Parliament of Erl petitions their lord for a magic ruler, prompting him to send his son, Alveric, on a mission to Elfland to claim Lirazel as his bride. We witness Alveric's preparation, including receiving a magical sword crafted by a witch. This sword symbolizes his connection to both the ordinary world and the enchanting realms beyond. As Alveric sets out, he reflects on his journey and the mystical lands he hopes to traverse, all while foreshadowing the challenges and enchanting encounters that await him in both Elfland and his own realm. (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.