"A fictional fantasy history of the war between the Goths and the Romans. Absolutely gripping. A considerable part told in verse - but very readable. Published 1887/8."
"The descendants of Goths from The House of the Wolfings are now in a fight for their very existence with the murderous Huns. Less verse than the previous book. Published c 1889."
"Handsome young hero leaves loveless marriage to seek adventure, finds a beautiful wicked witch and falls in love with her even more beautiful slave. Published c 1894/5."
"Ralph, youngest of 4 royal sons, leaves home to find adventure, falls in love, loses love, seeks a magic well, performes brave deeds and so on. Lovely story. Published c 1896."
"One of the last of Morris's fantasies. A wonderful story about the adventures of a stolen child, Birdalone, how she escaped from the witch who enslaved her and grew into a wise and beautiful woman."
"I read a borrowed copy of this book over 30 years ago and spent the next 30 years trying to find and buy a copy of my own. Recently back in print. Buy it while you still can."
"This book is not so much fantasy as legend and mythology - OUR, British mythology. It's an origin, a foundation - hard to read but worth an effort for those interested."
"Beowulf is another point of origin: not a fantasy but a legend and a foundation for our modern fantasy. There are several translations but Heaney's is the easiest to understand."
"Eaters of the dead isn't old at all but it's based on the tale of Beowulf - in case you're interested in the story but can't manage the archaic style of the translations from the original manuscript."
"Beyond the fields we know, across the boundary of twilight, lie the lands of Faery. And that is where Alveric must travel, to obey his father and wed Lirazel, the King of Elfland's daughter."
"Not fantasy, but a mixture of myth, legend and history. Another one of fantasy's foundation stones. An odd but interesting read - a bit like the Mabinogion."
