If, like me, you're a fan of Patrick McCormack's work, then you too have been eagerly awaiting the third and final volume of "Albion," his Arthurian trilogy. The third novel, The Lame Dancer, is now available -- for free! -- online, posted (with the author's permission) on the site of Professor Howard Wiseman, an Australian academic with a passion for British history.
McCormack is an Oxford-trained historian who lives on Dartmoor. His "Albion" series, set in 5th century Britain, is rigorously researched and does a fine job of bringing the society of the Dark Ages to life -- which is precisely why there are so many fellow historians among McCormack's fans. The books are dark, robust, heroic -- but there's also plenty of magic here, deeply rooted in myth, and the distinctive mysticism of the British landscape. If you haven't yet read McCormack's work, start with the first two books in the series: The Last Companion and The White Phantom. Now, I wish someone would bring this trilogy out in an American edition....
The art above is by another Dartmoor dweller, Alan Lee. Go here to see more of his drawings.
Oh, god. That art is so sososo beautiful. If only we could steal his brush for Goblin Fruit. Or, y'know, the decorating of our own walls... (grins)
Posted by: Jess | May 07, 2008 at 06:58 PM
I loved this novel & sent several excerpts to a monk friend of mine with an interest in early British Christianity. Thank you for posting it.
Posted by: Andrea | May 11, 2008 at 02:12 AM