Over the Hills and Far Away

by Lord Dunsany

Master Fantasist Lord Dunsany... unexcelled in the sorcery of crystalline singing prose, and supreme in the creation of a gorgeous world of exotic vision.

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories, Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Classics

234 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1974

About the author

Edward John Moreton Drax Plunkett, eighteenth baron of Dunsany, was an Anglo-Irish writer and dramatist, notable for his work in fantasy published under the name Lord Dunsany. More than eighty books of his work were published, and his oeuvre includes hundreds of short stories, as well as successful plays, novels and essays. Born to one of the oldest titles in the Irish peerage, he lived much of his life at perhaps Ireland's longest-inhabited home, Dunsany Castle near Tara, received an honourary doctorate from Trinity College, and died in Dublin.

Reviews

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

While acknowledging his "elusive, haunting quality", Lin Carter in introduction states that Dunsany writes of happy far-off things: "There is only joy in him, little sorrow, and many miracles." He nails the first part but not the second. All the stories feel textured by loss and diminishment and ironic detachment, and what joy is held at arm's length.

They never go particularly quickly, with a languid, unhurried pace, and a language that is evocative but, as I was surprised to discover, is not ornate.

[Fraser Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

In contrast to two previous collections of Dunsany, editor Lin Carter shoots for broad scope: some of Dunsany's imaginary world stories, several tales set in London, four Jorkens stories (about a clubman who can always swap a wild yarn for a free drink), and two short plays plays (a century ago Lord Dunsany was better known as a playwright than a fantasy writer). All beautifully written, though not always successful—his one-acts aren't awful, but they aren't memorable either.

[KC Cui · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why does this book not even have a cover on the goodreads entry! Omg. So Dunsany might be my favorite author that I find tiresome to actually read. His prose is pseudo archaic and his stories here are littered w the orientalism and racism that you would..........Expect. But he is a totally unique reading experience. I love his non-specificity it’s just so refreshing. It’s a different philosophy of prose entirely lol - like of course it’s meticulously crafted but it’s also not exact or concrete at all. It’s all about feeling and trailing you along and making you feel like a child caught up in this drunken perfume of mystery and fancy

[Patrick Hurley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some beautiful, strange stories in this collection of Dunsany. Not all have aged well, but many are like precious stones, buried deep, timeless, and beautiful.

[James T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dunsany when he is on is the greatest writer of all. The stories in this will attest to that. There are definitely some B sides though. Marvelous collection.

[Jack Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection contains some of his best work I think.

[Dominick · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is Lin Carter's third collection of Dunsany short fiction, and (though I have not read the first two) I find it hard not to believe he's scraping the bottom of the barrel here. A great number of these stories are basically squibs, having little to no discernible point or even narrative. Many belong that that most irritating (to me) subcategory of supposedly fantastical tales that fail to offer any actual explanation but instead just rely on unknowability as being inherently uncanny, or scary. It isn't (to me). Most of these are unmemorable. The best belong to the club story genre, and are diverting enough, but there are few of them. There are a couple of mediocre plays, as well. I've owned this book for probably forty years, and I am well aware of Dunsany's reputation as one of the great fantasists, so this was especially disappointing to me, given how long it took me to get around to reading it.

[Aaron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely in the minority here. Dunsany's prose is too diffuse for me and I keep losing interest.