This is a very delightful story, and one that meets every reader's expectations of what should happen. In terms of good versus evil, right versus wrong, innocent versus guilty, every expectation is met. One may think that this sort of predictability would make the story dull and stale, but in fact, it elevates the story to a higher plane.

One of the most important themes in Lud-in-the-Mist is the unreality of our reality. Life is a story that we have control over. If we have control, why shouldn't the inncent be vindicated and the guilty punished? Mirrlees points out, rather uncomfortably, that we has humans, choose to believe in what we believe in, but nothing is at all certain. Is Fairyland a myth, or our all-important belief in Law and Order actually a myth? Our hold on reality is tenuous at best, and in order to regain control, sometimes we must choose to believe in things once cast aside, which is exactly what Nathaniel Chanticleer does.

One of my favorite authors, Neil Gaiman, wrote the foreward to Lud-in-the-Mist writes that this book "is, most of all, a book about reconciliation - the balancing and twining of the mundane and the miraculous." Mirrlees achieves this balancing act superbly, and she deserves a much higher place among the ranks of modern fantasy writers. I recommend this book to any fan of fantasy, or to anyone looking for a great story that helps to disrupt the monotony of daily life.

One warning: the Cold Springs Press edition, which is the most common, is fraught with typos. Please be patient when reading. ( )

In the country of Dorimare, the capital city of Lud-In-The-Mist lay at the confluence of two rivers about ten miles from the Elfin Hills and Elfin Marches. It also lay just miles from the Debatable Hills, which to those whom believe, leads to an exotic world called Fairyland -- one where the silent people reside, and one where the living will never return from. Though this legend is weaved deeply into the folklore of Lud-In-The-Mist, it by law, has been banished from existence itself. For the discussion of Fairyland, or the discussion of Fairyfruit (a fruit said to cause madness in those who eat it), is looked down upon by the citizens of Lud-In-The-Mist; besides, by law, it doesn't exist anyway, right?

Though the the town of Lud-In-The-Mist is beautifully described as being plentiful of trees, fruitful, and a great place for children and families to live and prosper, it also has it's share of unwanted problems -- the major one being quite serious: the illegal import of that non-existent fruit, Fairyfruit. And yes, while this fruit is simply deemed a ridiculous legend by law, regardless, it has been illegally smuggled into the city for years despite their (not so best) efforts to keep it out. This is when the story really heats up and leads to one of our main characters -- Master Nathaniel Chanticleer, the Mayor of Lud-In-The-Mist.

Master Nathaniel has always been a rather simple but strange fellow – taking joy in his every day, repetitious tasks. Though to the common eye, Nathaniel seems to be quite the ordinary guy – the father of two, husband, he's always been a bit..different. As if he's continually moving through life at the beat of his own drum. Unfortunately for Nathaniel, his familiar and comforting life gets turned upside down when his Son, Ranulph Chanticleer, claims to have eaten the forbidden fruit after acting quite curious for a few days. This then leads down a strange path of twists and turns, a murder mystery, deception, and yes, the land of Faerie!

Lud-In-The-Mist is a one of kind a read – a pre-tolkien fantasy novel that clearly resembles the concepts of magic and fantasy that many authors work with today. From touching moments, to wondrous enchanting moments, to sad more serene ones – and even to extremely humorous times, this book has something for everything. Author Hope Mirrlees does such a grand job creating a completely new and different world – a world that you could swear truly exists somewhere today. A world that I would love to visit – though in some ways, I feel I already have..

Along with the enchanting beauty of this one-of-a-kind world that Mirrlees masterfully conjures up, her use of the English language is very nineteenth-century and adds to the whole feel of this book. The wording, the phrasing, the terms – they all contribute to the majestic vibe that this writing gives off to the reader -- transforming them into a different place and time. Mirrlees's beautiful style truly shines brightly throughout, flowing from page to page almost poetically while remaining incredibly descriptive and enjoyable. Her depictions are stunningly vivid; her narration of events and places beautifully detailed. All in all, her ability to create such unique and realistic descriptions is a truly unique gift – one that really isn't seen very often.

Oh, and of course, we cannot forget to mention (no, never!), her unique exclamations and curses that pop up from time to time within this lovely tale – curses her characters often use in stressful, shocking, or unpleasant situations. Phrases like “Toasted Cheese!” or “By my great aunts rump!” Or perhaps, “By the Sun, Moon, and the Stars!” or “Son of a Fairy!” (which is apparently quite a naughty one in the world of Lud-In-The-Mist). Though none can truly compare to my personal favorite, “Busty Bridgit!” Ah yes, I found myself chuckling several times throughout this book, and these cute little expressions truly add some very humorous and light moments to a fairly deep read.

All in all, I must say that Lud-In-The-Mist is a beautifully written fairy tale with unique and compelling characters, excellent lore and back-story, and a very solid and engaging plot. My only slight gripe is that I wanted more time spent within the Faerie realm, but in my view, the way this book was laid out and evolved from chapter to chapter was more than appropriate. Lud-In-The-Mist is a book I will treasure forever, and one that will remain a classic in my eyes until the end of days. If I had to recommend this to a specific audience, I would say this: To anyone who enjoys a fairy tale – to anyone who enjoys humor, and fantasy, and a magic world – to anyone who enjoys mesmerizing descriptions and surroundings – read this book. Enjoy it. Take it in. I'll also say that if you're someone who enjoys the likes of Tolkien or Neil Gaiman (as this novel is very reminiscent to these creative authors), you will love this. I know I did. For me, this book was not just read, but a magical journey. ( )

Written in the 1920's, this book is the contemporary of works such as The Lord of the Rings and it reads somewhat similarly. It often quotes made-up songs and poetry and is given to flights of fancy so far out there that I sometimes found it hard to follow. The basic premise was a good one and I enjoyed the story itself, but the characters were fairly silly and hard to sympathize with. The writing was beautiful and amazingly colorful yet I sometimes had trouble paying attention and comprehending what I was reading. I would often discover when I reached the bottom of a page that I had no idea what had just happened on that page and had to go back to reread. It was hopeless if ever I tried to read this without being able to give it my undivided attention. I liked how the story ended but it seemed a little abrupt. If you're a fun of Tolkein or of Neil Gaiman's Stardust then I'd recommend you give this a try, otherwise probably not. ( )

Basic Reason for Beginning: I admit, this time it was the cover. And the promise of fairies as they were before Victorians (and then Disney) got their hands on them.
Basic Reason for Finishing: Oooooh, pretty!
Texture: Ribbonlike. Possibly black or red. And smooth. And just, you know those hair ribbons? Like that.

Full review here.

Rereadability: Ooh, I'd love to. Really I would. Partially because the language sometimes got away from me and I was hoping that rereading it would mean I spend less time rereading certain sentences or passages.
Recommendation: If you like fantasy, go ye out and read this. Seriously. It's pre-Tolkien (just) and it's damned good and shows just what direction fantasy could have gone in. My copy has a note by Gaiman (yes, I know, don't put too much trust in them, they're nasty 'one good turn deserves another' things with the exception of time frames here) which says it's an 'unjustifiably forgotten novel of the twentieth century'. Given that I would have loved to have grown up with this book (alongside if not even instead of LotR), I'm inclined to agree with him. Get ye hence and read it. I mean it. ( )

The slightly dotty grandmother of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell... if you liked the latter, you will almost certainly adore this too. On a random tangent, I do so wonder at the connection of the North Of England with Faerie and Magic. And as someone born and bred in the North East, but no longer resident, it adds to the sense of nostalgic magic/romance i feel for the place... I love that the North is so magical in Jonathan Strange, and was utterly delighted to discover that Northumberland was, in the past, referred to as 'the debatable lands' (as in Lud The Debatable Hills seperate Dorimare from Faerie), due to the long standing struggles over where the border between England and Scotland should lay.

Lud is a wonderful, enchanting book. Your life will be richer for it... ( )