[Mithfânion]

By John Ford

I saw that a re-release by the Fantasy Masterworks series is a-coming and though to inquire about the book here.

Is it a classic? What is it about?

[estranghero]

Hmmm, was one of the first fantasy books I've picked up.

As a stand-alone, it's pretty good. But I hear that it's an alternative take on the English history, a "what-if" story, but with magic, vampires, and other stuff. Though I'm not an expert on English history, that didn't bother my reading a bit.

Forgive me if I flub this a bit, it's been quite a while. Let's see: it's essentially about how four characters meet: a Welsh magician, an Italian lady doctor, an exiled Roman prince, and a Hungarian(?) alchemist-vampire, and how they later help Richard the III (?) retain his kingdom against his rival, who was backed by the Byzantium Empire. It's a story chock-full of intrigues, mystery, warfare, action, magic, blood and horror. Very good reading all in one book.

And best of all, none of the pro- and anti- Eddings/ Martin/ Jordan fans can target this book because Ford is all of the above and more. IMHO even Qin (anti-fat fantasist that he is)would like this.

How's that for a growing recommendation? http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/wink.gif

[Mithfânion]

Quite good (Except for the mention of Vampires, who I truly detest reading about).

Sounds good enough. BTw, I put the Michelle West book on the to-read list as well,from what you said about it, it could certainly be something I'd appreciate, despite the fact that she's still such an unknown.

[estranghero]

...Except for the mention of Vampires, who I truly detest reading about...

Hey, they're not that bad. Actually, it was the 1st 3 characters that had the primary focus of the tale. Don't know why Ford did that but it still came out okay.

Anyway, hey, I also keep a lookout for some of the books you've mentioned, i.e. Mary Stewart, Harlequin, etc. Quid pro quo, eh? That's what I like about this site. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by estranghero (edited March 12, 2002).]

[fluffy bunny]

has anyone read this?- keeps popping up on my amazon recommended list near the top

[Llama]

It's a very good book. Not that many people seem to know about it, so I was glad to see Gollancz put it on their Masterworks list. Definitely recommended.

[Guymelef]

The vampirism doesnt play that significant of a role overall. It does define the character through how society views his kind but you it really just plays out like an eccentric quality the character possesses.

Good Book.... plus its got a nifty cover.

[Ouroboros]

OK, I will be dead honest and say that I have abandoned this book, and won't go back to it until I've had time to read up on the period history.

This is a cracking novel in terms of writing and concept, but I felt that much of the rich alternate-history element was lost on me as I don't know enough about the true history of the period. I'm sure you can enjoy the novel without that, but I got the impression I was missing out.

So I'll be back to it after I've had a chance to do some swotting up.

As someone above says- don't be put off by the element of vampirism: it's actually a minor but extremely well-executed part of the plot.

[Gildor]

I just finished this, I had a few problems, but they were good problems that made the book even more crazy and submersive. All the factors that went into the book at first, the nature of the three plot strands of Ricci, Hwyel and Dimitrios were what initially really drew me in, and I wasn't really expecting the book to focus in the way it did upon the intrigues and macchinations of the English court.

That being said, the Dragon Waiting turned into a very colourful book, just in the way the historical nature of the plot was always central, yet was always accompanied by Vampirism, Wizardry, Shakespeare, Owain Glyn Dwr or some of the many other plot strands.

The intrigue was quite dense in parts, and this coupled with the deep historical nature created lots of parts that I just wasn't getting. 'So he died because of him being the son of the other guy who wanted to be king, but then he died and then somebody else died, and then the guy you thought was ...' that sort of thing.

Its a very rich tapestry to unravel however, and it was very enjoyble to read. Overall I thought it was somewhat uneven, the latter stages of the book were quite different to the initial introductions of the characters, and the magical and fantasy element was replaced more readily and overtly by the 'masque of history' as the title of the book has under it.

Its a shame Ford could never come back again, and do something similair to this, i'm now more fully aware of what his loss means having read one of his books.

[Ouroboros]

Wow, has it really been four or so years?

...

Anyway: I did go back to 'The Dragon Waiting', which remains one of the cleverest, strongest titles in the Gollancz Fantasy Masterworks series.

I'm still of the opinion that in order to get the most out of it you really do need to have an overview of the factual history of the period, otherwise much of the delicious alt-history which we are treated to will go over your head.

Most people in the UK and Ireland might be familliar with Richard III as dastardly shakespearean villain, but Ford's book is interesting in obviously it squares with what some serious historians maintain- that he has been given a raw deal and wasn't necessarily a bad man at all. Although, admittedly, I doubt they believe he offed some royalty because they were infected by vampirism.