The Worm Ouroboros by E.R. Eddison

"The Worm Ouroboros" is a high fantasy novel set in a mythical world called Mercury. It follows the epic conflict between two kingdoms, Demonland and Witchland, as they engage in a struggle for power and dominance. The story centers on the noble characters of Demonland, particularly Lord Juss, Lord Goldry, and Lord Spitfire, who confront the dark sorcery and treachery of the Witchland rulers, including the malevolent sorceress, the Witch Queen. The narrative explores themes of heroism, honor, and the cyclical nature of life and death, symbolized by the ouroboros, a serpent eating its own tail. The novel is characterized by its archaic language and rich, poetic prose.

By E.R. Eddison · First published 1922 · Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Epic · 33 chapters · 195,093 words

First lines

Of the rarities that were in the lofty presence chamber fair and lovely to behold, and of the qualities and conditions of the lords of Demonland: and of the embassy sent unto them by King Gorice XI, and of the answer thereto.

• Open reader

Similar titles

• The Water Of The Wondrous Isles by William Morris
• Yug The Prophet by Lord Dunsany
• A King Of Fire And His Steed by Jorge Luis Borges
• The Wood Beyond The World by William Morris
• Log The Story Of The Hero Who Released The Sun by Parker Fillmore
• The Passing Of King Arthur by James Baldwin

Genres

• Fantasy — The book features a richly imagined world with mythical creatures, magic, and epic battles.
• Adventure — The plot involves quests, exploration, and the heroic journeys of its characters.
• Epic — The narrative structure and themes reflect the grand scale and high stakes typical of epic literature.
• Heroic Fantasy — The story centers on heroic figures and their valorous deeds in a fantastical setting.

Tags

Fantasy · Epic · High Fantasy · Medieval Setting · Mythology · Magic · Warfare · Quest · Hero's Journey · Coming of Age · Friendship · Loyalty

What this Textopian page supports

The Worm Ouroboros is listed on Textopian as a novel by E.R. Eddison, dated 1922 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Novel
• Author: E.R. Eddison
• Date: 1922 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Epic, Heroic Fantasy, Literary Fiction
• Length: 195,093 words
• Structure: 33 chapters, 2,305 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for The Worm Ouroboros by E.R. Eddison
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
• Readability and classroom-planning context
• Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Contents

• The Castle of Lord Juss
• The Wrastling for Demonland
• The Red Foliot
• Conjuring in the Iron Tower
• King Gorice's Sending
• The Claws of Witchland
• Guests of the King in Carcë
• The First Expedition to Impland
• Salapanta Hills
• The Marchlands of the Moruna
• The Burg of Eshgrar Ogo
• Koshtra Pivrarcha
• Koshtra Belorn
• The Lake of Ravary
• Queen Prezmyra
• The Lady Sriva's Embassage
• The King Flies his Haggard
• The Murther of Gallandus by Corsus
• Thremnir's Heugh
• King Corinius
• The Parley before Krothering
• Aurwath and Switchwater
• The Weird Begun of Ishnain Nemartra
• A King in Krothering
• Lord Gro and the Lady Mevrian
• The Battle of Krothering Side
• The Second Expedition to Impland
• Zora Rach Nam Psarrion
• The Fleet at Muelva
• Tidings of Melikaphkhaz
• The Demons before Carcë
• The Latter End of all the Lords of Witchland
• Queen Sophonisba in Galing

More by E.R. Eddison

• All works by E.R. Eddison