The Worm Ouroboros (Forgotten
Books) by Eric Rucker Eddison
"Beauty Is Truth, Truth Beauty"
The Worm Ourorobos is second only to the Lord of the Rings in the
pantheon of 20th century English fantasy. E.R. Eddison, who moved in the
same literary circles as Tolkien, was praised by Tolkien as The greatest
and most convincing writer of invented worlds that I have read.
The Worm Ourorbos was originally published in a very limited and now
very rare edition in 1922 (a used first edition recently listed for $3,750).
Eddison wrote three sequels set in roughly the same universe, but none of
them have the sustained pacing and invention of Ouroboros.

Before diving in, there are a few things to be aware of. The rich language
Eddison uses is based on Tudor and Jacobean English, with some modern
anachronisms; it may take some getting used to, and occasionally a trip to
the unabridged Oxford English Dictionary. The narrator, one Lessingham,
who appears in a very brief framing sequence, disappears a few dozen
pages in. The book is set on Mercury; however, keep in mind this is not
science fiction, so this is not literally the planet Mercury. Eddison on
several occasions in the body of the book calls the world Middle Earth, and
the setting is recognizably the Midgard of the Norse myths and sagas,
although for some unexplained reason the denizens worship the Greek
pantheon. The cast of characters, like Tolkien, are principally masculine,
albeit with a couple of standout female leads. And lastly the various
nationalities (Demons, Witches, Pixies, Imps, etc.) are not really separate
species as in Tolkien; they are all essentially humans. (Quote from sacred-
texts.com)
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy,
Classics, Science, Religion and Mythology. http://www.forgottenbooks.org
Forgotten Books is about sharing knowledge, not about making money.
Our books are priced at wh
Personal Review: The Worm Ouroboros (Forgotten Books) by
Eric Rucker Eddison
I have refrained from writing this review for a long time, owing to the
number of excellent reviews below, but I can no longer be silent.
By any standard, the Worm Ouroboros is a classic of the fantasy genre, to
be included on anyone's top three list, with the Hobbit and LOTR filling the
other two spots, of course.(Differences in personal taste can account for
individual orderings!) Why this book isn't in more prominent circulation is a
riddle to me. Others have complained that its Elizabethan diction is a
barrier, but I have trouble relating to this. A high style is a necessary
costume of the genre, and WO is much easier to read than, for example,
Shakespeare without notes. Here's just another symptom of the
decrement of our Western educational system.
In addition to being a riveting, plot-driven adventure yarn told in sonorous,
beautiful prose, WO is a book of vast literary merit, weaving a complex
tapestry of allusion to the Elizabethan dramatists, classical epics, and

Norse sagas. No other writer, except the major poets, shows a defter
hand at expression with an ever-ready, seemingly endless well of tropes
from which to draw. Eddison possessed a first-rate imagination, depicting
scenes of magnificent beauty and power. Just take for example the
opening scene in the presence chamber of Lord Juss, the unearthly
symphony when Sophonisba first appears, or the death-defying flight to
Zora Rach Nam Psarrion. These scenes will stay with you in your
hallowed moments!
WO is also a book that will edify! I have often marveled at the ability of the
great fantasy writers like Tolkien and Eddison to convey more truth about
life through an utterly unrealistic medium than most authors of realistic
fiction are able. And I marvel at Eddison's fundamental honesty. WO
wrestles with Shakespearian themes of principle and character versus
base economic interest, and yet extends these themes to group dynamics
and politics between nations. Learn from the Red Foliot how to bend and
not break under the threats of a tyrant.
And to top all this off, WO closes with a suprise ending that would make M.
Night Shyamalan jealous!
As a final word about the editions, I recommend the Ballantine edition for
its superior cover art and the introductions by James Stephens and Orvil
Prescot. I went through pains to get the vaunted Dell edition, but did not
find it all that revealing.
For More 5 Star Customer Reviews and Lowest Price:
The Worm Ouroboros (Forgotten Books) by Eric Rucker Eddison 5 Star Customer
Reviews and Lowest Price!