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The Water of the Wondrous Isles: Available Copies

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Paperback. The Water of the Wondrous Isles is a fantasy novel by William Morris, perhaps the first writer of modern fantasy to unite an imaginary world with the element of the supernatural, and thus a precursor of much of present-day fantasy literature.[1] It was first printed in 1897 by Morris' own Kelmscott Press on vellum and artisanal paper in a blackletter type of his own design. For the wider reading public, a hardcover trade edition was published later that year by Longmans, Green and Co. The novel was republished by Ballantine Books as the thirty-eighth volume of the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series in November, 1971. The Ballantine edition includes an introduction by Lin Carter. Morris considered his fantasies a revival of the medieval tradition of chivalrous romances; in consequence, they tend to have sprawling plots of strung-together adventures. These prose romances were written in a mock-Medieval style that modern readers may find arduous and fustian. Plot summary: Stolen as a child and raised in the wood of Evilshaw as servant to a witch, Birdalone ultimately escapes in her captress's magical boat, in which she travels to a succession of strange and wonderful islands. Among these is the Isle of Increase Unsought, an island cursed with boundless production, which Morris intended as a parable of contemporary Britain and a vehicle for his socialistic beliefs. Equally radical, during much of the first quarter of the novel, Birdalone is naked, a highly unusual detail in Victorian fiction. She is occasionally assisted out of jams by Habundia, her lookalike fairy godmother. She encounters three maidens who are held prisoner by another witch. They await deliverance by their lovers, the three paladins of the Castle of the Quest. Birdalone is clad by the maidens and seeks out their heroes, and the story goes into high gear as they set out to rescue the women. Ultimately, one lady is reunited with her knight, another finds a new love when her knight is killed, and the last is left to mourn as her champion throws her over for Birdalone. William Morris (24 March 1834 - 3 October 1896) was an English textile designer, poet, novelist, translator, and socialist activist. Associated with the British Arts and Crafts Movement, he was a major contributor to the revival of traditional British textile arts and methods of production. His literary contributions helped to establish the modern fantasy genre, while he played a significant role in propagating the early socialist movement in Britain. Born in Walthamstow, Essex, to a wealthy middle-class family, Morris came under the strong influence of medievalism while studying Classics at Oxford University, there joining the Birmingham Set. After university, he trained as an architect, married Jane Burden, and developed close friendships with the Pre-Raphaelite artists Edward Burne-Jones and Dante Gabriel Rossetti and with the Neo-Gothic architect Philip Webb. Webb and Morris designed a family home, Red House, then in Kent, where the latter lived from 1859 to 1865, before moving to Bloomsbury, central London. In 1861, Morris founded a decorative arts firm with Burne-Jones, Rossetti, Webb, and others: the Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. Becoming highly fashionable and much in demand, the firm profoundly influenced interior decoration throughout the Victorian period, with Morris designing tapestries, wallpaper, fabrics, furniture, and stained glass windows. In 1875, Morris assumed total control of the company, which was renamed Morris & Co. Although retaining a main home in London, from 1871 Morris rented the rural retreat of Kelmscott Manor, Oxfordshire. Greatly influenced by visits to Iceland, with Eirikr Magnusson he produced a series of English-language translations of Icelandic Sagas. . This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

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William Morris - The Water of the Wondrous Isles: "History has remembered the kings and warriors, because they destroyed; art has remembered the peopl

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Print on Demand. This book picks up the medieval fantasy tale of the Quest immediately after the fulfilment of its primary objective. While it might be expected that the return of the heroes would result in their enjoying their rewards and living happily ever after, that's not quite how things work out. Loss and mourning are not neatly confined to the time of any quest, be it heroic or personal. The author delves into the realities of loss, grief, and the evolution of relationships within a society that relies on rigid gender roles and a strict class system. Relationships are tested, sometimes to their breaking point, and the reader is taken on a journey that explores the real-world implications of love, loyalty, and honor in the face of a world that is far from just. Throughout this, the author's exploration of traditional gender roles and the subtle ways they can be both prison and privilege adds depth to the tale. Ultimately, this book is a quest narrative about the challenges of returning home after a time of great change and upheaval, and what it means to find one's place in a community after being transformed by experience. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book.

Print on Demand. This book follows Birdalone, a young woman who was stolen as a child and raised by a witch in the wilderness, as she grapples with her destiny and the mystery of her past. Caught between the world of humans and the supernatural, Birdalone must navigate the dangers of a magical forest, contend with the dark intentions of her guardian, and unravel the secrets of her own identity. As she ventures deeper into the unknown, Birdalone discovers hidden realms, encounters fantastical creatures, and uncovers the power of her own spirit. The author explores themes of self-discovery, the battle between good and evil, and the nature of freedom and belonging, inviting readers to reflect on the choices they make and the paths they forge in life. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book.

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