The Ragthorn

by Robert Holdstock, Garry Kilworth

Winner of the World Fantasy Award
“I am placing this entry at the beginning of my edited journal for reasons that will become apparent. Time is very short for me now, the final part of the ritual draws near...

I cannot pretend that I am not frightened.”



There were these two British writers, one lived in the country, the other in the city. The country writer loved to visit the city and partake of brandy and Greek kebabs in the local hostelry. The city writer liked to visit the country and guzzle ale and barbecued steak under the apple trees. The two writers needed an excuse for these indulgences, and so they invented one, and this excuse was called “collaborating on a story” ... It soon emerged that the story was to be about a legendary tree, which they both vaguely recalled from the tales their grandfathers used to tell them of mystery and myth. Soon they were delving with suppressed excitement into old documents at the British Museum and began to come up with some frightening discoveries.


The first of these finds was in studying the original text, in Anglo-Saxon, of the Old English poem “The Dream of the Rood”. The marrying of the “tree” (crucifixion cross) and the “thorn” (a runic character) was too elaborately regular to be an accident of metre or alliterative language. Other discoveries followed, and the story gradually surfaced, like a dark secret from its burial mound.


The Ragthorn: a dark and unsettling World Fantasy Award-winning novella by Robert Holdstock and Garry Kilworth.


Also included in this volume, two bonus stories: “The Fabulous Beast” by Garry Kilworth, and “The Charisma Trees” by Robert Holdstock.




Robert Holdstock:

‘Britain’s best fantasist … these are the visions of a real artist.’ – The Times

‘Our finest living mythmaker. His narratives – intense, exuberant, earthy, passionate, dense with metaphor – are new trails through the ancient forest of our imaginations. An essential writer.’ – Stephen Baxter

‘No other author has so successfully captured the magic of the wildwood.’ – Michael Moorcock

‘A new expression of the British genius for true fantasy.’ – Alan Garner, on Mythago Wood



Garry Kilworth:

‘Garry Kilworth is arguably the finest writer of short fiction today, in any genre.’ – New Scientist

‘Kilworth is one of the most significant writers in the English language.’ – Fear Magazine

‘Probably one of the finest writers of short stories Britain has ever produced.’ – Bookstove Online

‘Kilworth is a master of his trade.’ – Punch Magazine

Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Short Stories

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Robert Paul Holdstock was an English novelist and author who is best known for his works of fantasy literature, predominantly in the fantasy subgenre of mythic fiction.

Holdstock's writing was first published in 1968. His science fiction and fantasy works explore philosophical, psychological, anthropological, spiritual, and woodland themes. He has received three BSFA awards and won the World Fantasy Award in the category of Best Novel in 1985.

Pseudonyms are Chris Carlsen, Robert Faulcon,Robert Black, Steven Eisler and Richard Kirk.

Reviews

[Raymond Just · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a bittersweet Novella (three stories, really) to have finished. With Rob Holdstock's untimely passing, these are almost certainly the last stories I will ever read by him, and this makes me very sad. Many writers are entertaining, some are both entertaining and just really good, and a select few reach above all that to create work that is not just entertaining or thought provoking, but legitimately haunting. Writers whose worlds you feel like you've actually lived in for a time after you finish their book. Holdstock was definitely one of these latter writers, and The Ragthorn doesn't disappoint. For the uninitiated, I would suggest reading Mythago Wood and some of his other work first, but this is a fine last story for Holdstock, and I will treasure this final volume like a dragon treasures its horde of gold. I wonder what tales Holdstock is weaving now, deep in his faraway Mythago wood...

[Sorcered · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ebook I have contains three stories:
- The Ragthorn (Holdstock/Kilworth), a great story about immortality and secret knowledge. Reminiscent of Poe and Lovecraft - don't worry, the writing style is modern and easy to read. The best of the three, highly recommended.
- The Fabulous Beast (Kilworth) shares the style, the fascination for marvels lost in time, and one of the characters with The Ragthorn; the "shock" ending felt strangely logical, in retrospect, if you can admit not many people embrace chance easily... Loved it.
- The Charisma Trees (Holdstock) is a lovely mess of a story, mixing sentient trees, time travel, social commentary and interspecies genetic manipulation. I felt like the author didn't know where he wanted to take it and ended up just cutting it short (despite the text having way too many extra pages). Decent effort, but it left me cold.

All in all, five stars due to The Ragthorn being a masterpiece and The Fabulous Beast being a great read.

[Jeff Deck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great novella in the Lovecraft tradition.

[Jane Talbot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novella [c.50 pages] and two short stories [one of c.25 pages and one of c.20 pages]. The novella ['The Ragthorn'] is a compelling read and a brilliant collaboration between Holdstock and Kilworth. At times it reminded me of Holdstock's 'Mythago Wood'. The first short story [Kilworth's 'The Fabulous Beast'] is as intriguing and Poe-esque as 'The Ragthorn' and sits comfortably next to the novella, thanks to the use of some shared characters. The second short story [Holdstock's 'The Charisma Trees'] is clever and fun but not in the same league as the novella and first short story.

[Diego Fernando · Rating 3 out of 5]

Convoluted and non linear

Although I can’t deny the artistic value of the Ragthorn, the story is too convoluted and pretentious at times. I’m sure the author thought that leaving the story open was a brilliant idea, but it feels unfinished. The second story is a lot better, twisted ending included. The third one, The Charisma Tree, feels also unfinished and all over the place. Funny and satirical at times, tries to be paradoxical and twisty at others. Would not recommend the book.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fiction that reads like non-fiction on the verge of a miraculous discovery. This discovery is different in each of the 3 stories, yet each time it will change everything that we know and believe. I read it in one sitting because I couldn’t put the book down. After finishing it, I wanted it all to be true. How different our world would be.

[Kevin Pilsbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

I so love Holdstock's style and feel and The Ragthorn hasn't disappointed in the slightest.
Short but what a unique and intriguing vision that I thoroughly loved.

[Jilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give this more than 5 stars, utterly wonderful and perfect. This is my second read and I anticipate it won't be the last!

[Linda Acaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I’d read ‘The Ragthorn’ (the story by the late Robert Holdstock) as soon as I saw the title of this ebook, and am very pleased to be able to add it to my digital shelf. A re-reading merely enhanced my memory of it, the tone very much of the period in which it’s set. It’s a mythic fantasy where the reader needs to work a little, knitting in what is merely glanced to build a whole, rather than having every last detail explained in simplistic linear fashion. The two other stories complement it well.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was referred to "The Ragthorn" by the interactive fiction game "Christminster", and it's an interesting and suspense-filled horror tale that is certainly worthy of the World Fantasy Award. It does the whole unearthing-ancient-secrets and alchemy thing very well. Such a thing can only work as a short story/novella as it does here, and is the perfect length. The two other stories are interesting as well and in the same vein. I might have to check out Holdstock's "Mythago Wood" as I've come across that before and I enjoyed this.

[Tom O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

One novella and two short stories. The Ragthorn (the novella) is good, well worth its four stars for atmosphere alone, even if the ending doesn't quite stick.

One of the short stories, The Fabulous Beast, by Garry Kilworth is similarly enjoyable.

The second short story; The Charisma Trees, did nothing for me but did no great damage either.

[James Everington · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting mix of fantasy, old-school horror and literary investigation. Skilfully written, entertaining and thought-provoking.

[Incy · Rating 5 out of 5]

creepy and awesome