The Dark Tower: Tales from the Past

by Peter Vansittart, Margery Gill (Illustrator)

Eleven tales of Celtic origin interspersed with traditional poems and ballads tell of deeds of courage and treachery, magical powers, elf folk, and gods.

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1969

About the author

Peter Vansittart was a master of the historical novel and a writer of outstanding talent. He wrote more than 40 books, which also encompassed anthologies, works on literature and social history.

Reviews

[Patrick Stuart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was interesting and I am pretty sure I did not understand it. Again, with Vansittart, no image coheres to me from his work. I don't mean even a singular 'point' or 'message', but just a single point of view, or an image of the world that says something to me. Here is another flow of images and tales - the compost of myth and history, all interpolated or translated by Vansittart, not necessarily into continuity but into some kind of broad legendarium. Perhaps if he had kept doing these they would ultimately compile into some grand tale-of-tales or history-through-mythology, but probably not. They are pleasurable, with life in the images and small actions. The illustrations by Margery Gill often veer upon the excellent. But I do not understand him, cannot 'see' him. I am frustrated.

[Capn]

Had me at "Margery Gill".. ;)