It's here! The Magic Ring (Deluxe Illustrated Edition)

[eldritchhobbit]

In 2006, I had the delight and privilege of editing the first English scholarly edition - and the first English edition of any kind in well over a century - of Baron de la Motte Fouqué's masterpiece, The Magic Ring.

Now it is my great pleasure to announce the deluxe hardcover edition from Valancourt Books, which includes my introduction and more than forty original illustrations by award-winning fantasy artist Jef Murray (who most recently illustrated 2009's Black and White Ogre Country: The Lost Tales of Hilary Tolkien). The volume is 454 pages.



The book is now available for order here.


It is the twelfth century, the era of Richard the Lion-heart and the Third Crusade. Along the Danube, the tranquil world shared by the young squire Otto and his cousin Bertha is changed forever when they witness a knightly contest for possession of a magic ring. Soon both are drawn into a quest that transforms them and endangers all they love. The resulting adventures lead each to different paths of enchantment and peril, from the mysteries of Moorish Spain to the birthplace of Norse mythology. While navigating an ever-changing sea of allies and foes, both natural and magical, the two seek love, honor, survival, and a ring that possesses more power than either can possibly understand.

A seamless blend of medieval quest, epic fantasy, and Gothic nightmare, The Magic Ring draws on an impressive host of inspirations, such as Germanic folk tales and Icelandic sagas, Arthurian romance and Gothic horror. This novel has earned its place as a text of considerable historical significance, and yet it continues to offer an exhilarating reading experience for the modern audience.


"[A] work of fantasy that has truly endured the test of time...A must-have for readers of classic fantasy." -- Midwest Book Review

"The Magic Ring remains a very readable and entertaining novel, with numerous twists and turns, mysteries and secrets revealed...This...is why it deserves a reading after over a century in obscurity." -- SFSite.com

"Reaching back to 1825, this is the original English translation of La Motte-Fouqué's Magic Ring trilogy, here presented in a single volume. This version was edited by Tolkien scholar Amy H. Sturgis, who makes a case that this story was a dominant influence on Tolkien's own ring writings." -- Library Journal

Comments

[aishabintjamil.livejournal.com]

Sounds interesting. Now I'm tempted to go look for the original text. I think I recall finding a link a while ago to a German equivalent of Project Gutenberg.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad it sounds interesting to you! It's a beautiful story - with fascinating tales nested within the larger tale - and I hope you enjoy it.

[peadarog.livejournal.com]

Wow! Major congrats to you, Amy! Looks lovely.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. All kudos to Jef for the beautiful cover art.

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

Oooh oooh oooh! That is going on my wishlist *right now*. :D

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Yay! :D Thanks so much. I hope you enjoy it when you read it.

[whswhs.livejournal.com]

Do you consider the novel fully accessible to a present-day audience? Or is it more like, say, Notre-Dame de Paris, where you have to wade through several chapters of architectural criticism to get to the story?

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I really do think it's quite accessible. I know of an Advanced Placement European History teacher who used my 2006 version with her high school juniors and seniors, and they seemed to enjoy it thoroughly. Some even asked for recommendations of more books just like it. I was so pleased to hear that!

[sneezythesquid.livejournal.com]

It's a great book and well worth reading! Congrats on it getting the HC treatment!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, Squid Man! :) I'm so happy that you enjoyed it and recommend it to others.

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

*drool* Oh, I WANT!

Very spiffy! Congrats!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Yay! Thank you! :)

[abbie (from livejournal.com)]

COOL! Is The Magic Goblet going to get any love any time soon? Maybe I should give it some and read it...

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much!

There's no hardcover version of The Magic Goblet in the works, alas. (I do have another project in its early stages ... I'll be making an announcement soon. *g*) But I do wish it got more love. I think it's a fascinating and moving story. *restrains myself from foisting the book on you through the computer monitor* ;)

[abbie (from livejournal.com)]

Okay, first of all I had to look up the definition for the word foisting. You can foist all you want.

Another project? Other than your novel?

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

LOL! I thought "impose," but my fingers typed "foist."

Yes, it's another project - less ambitious, but still exciting. I haven't forgotten your generous offer of assistance with a pitch/blurb, by the way: the question's not quite ripe yet, but I'd love to take you up on it when it is. Thanks so much!

[abbie (from livejournal.com)]

"LOL! I thought 'impose,' but my fingers typed 'foist.'"
You know you have too many degrees when...

Cool! No problem, just let me know when/how I can assist.

[agentxpndble.livejournal.com]

Awesome! \o/

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I'm really thrilled with how it turned out. With the new artwork, it's absolutely gorgeous.