The Book of Wonder by Lord Dunsany

Name: The Book of Wonder
Author: Lord Dunsany

The work is a collection of fantastical tales that explore themes of wonder, adventure, and the intersection of the mundane with the mythical. Each story presents a unique narrative, often featuring characters who embark on quests or confront extraordinary beings and situations. In the first tale, a centaur named Shepperalk leaves his home in search of beauty and adventure, driven by an innate longing for the legendary city of Zretazoola and its enigmatic inhabitant, Sombelenë. His journey is marked by joy and a sense of freedom as he gallops across the land, evoking fear in the hearts of men who remember the ancient wars of the centaurs. Ultimately, he reaches Zretazoola, where he seizes Sombelenë, leading to a union that transcends time. Another story follows Thangobrind, a jeweler who embarks on a daring heist to steal a legendary diamond from a spider-idol. His cunning and agility allow him to navigate treacherous paths, but his greed leads to dire consequences when he faces the wrath of the spider-idol, resulting in his capture. The narrative shifts to a Sphinx who, after a mysterious deed, becomes the target of an ominous force from the forest. The tension builds as the Sphinx and her companions await the arrival of this unknown entity, which symbolizes the inescapable nature of fate and the consequences of actions taken. In a tale of nomadic thieves, the characters Slith, Sippy, and Slorg embark on a quest for a golden box filled with priceless poems. Their journey through the Dubious Land is fraught with danger, and their greed ultimately leads to tragic outcomes, highlighting the perils of ambition and desire. The collection also features Pombo, an idolater who, in desperation, seeks the favor of a disreputable god after his prayers are ignored by the established deities. His journey to find this god reveals the complexities of faith and the consequences of turning away from traditional beliefs. In a whimsical narrative, Captain Shard and his crew of pirates discover a floating island where they seek refuge from their past lives. Their attempts to live peacefully are complicated by their inherent nature as pirates, leading to a blend of adventure and introspection. The stories culminate in the tale of Mr. Thomas Shap, who, through a magical window, glimpses a fantastical city ruled by golden dragons. His longing for this otherworldly realm contrasts sharply with his mundane existence, ultimately leading to a poignant realization of the boundaries between dreams and reality. Throughout the collection, the author weaves together elements of myth, adventure, and the human experience, inviting readers to explore the boundaries of imagination and the nature of wonder. Each tale serves as a reminder of the magic that exists at the edges of the world, waiting to be discovered.

By Lord Dunsany · First published 1912 · Genre: Fantasy, Mythopoeia, Adventure · 15 chapters · 25,462 words

First lines

In the morning of his two hundred and fiftieth year Shepperalk the centaur went to the golden coffer, wherein the treasure of the centaurs was, and taking from it the hoarded amulet that his father, Jyshak, in the years of his prime, had hammered from mountain gold and set with opals bartered from the gnomes, he put it upon his wrist, and said no word, but walked from his mother's cavern. And he took with him too that clarion of the centaurs, that famous silver horn, that in its time had summoned to surrender seventeen cities of Man, and for twenty years had brayed at star-girt walls in the Siege of Tholdenblarna, the citadel of the gods, what time the centaurs waged their fabulous war and were not broken by any force of arms, but retreated slowly in a cloud of dust before the final miracle of the gods that They brought in Their desperate need from Their ultimate armoury. He took it and strode away, and his mother only sighed and let him go.

What this Textopian page supports

The Book of Wonder is listed on Textopian as a novel by Lord Dunsany, dated 1912 CE.

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

Work type: Novel
Author: Lord Dunsany
Date: 1912 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fantasy, Mythopoeia, Adventure, Literary Fiction, Short Stories
Length: 25,462 words
Structure: 15 chapters, 221 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Book of Wonder by Lord Dunsany
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

Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Book of Wonder?
How does this novel by Lord Dunsany fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Fantasy — The book features imaginative and otherworldly elements, characteristic of the fantasy genre.
Mythopoeia — It creates a mythic world with its own legends and stories, aligning with mythopoeic literature.
Adventure — The narratives often involve quests and explorations, typical of adventure stories.
Literary Fiction — The writing style is rich and poetic, focusing on character and thematic depth.