Flint and Mirror, John Crowley
Flint and Mirror, John Crowley
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Flint and Mirror

Author: John Crowley

Narrator: Samuel Roukin

Unabridged: 9 hr 59 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 04/19/2022


Synopsis

From award-winning author John Crowley comes a novel that masterfully blends history and magic.

In an island nation divided against itself, governed by a larger island to the east whose monarch is Elizabeth the Great, there have been decades of war. As ancient Irish clans fought to preserve their lands and their way of life, the Queen and her generals fought to tame the wild land and make it English.

Hugh O'Neill, lord of the North, dubbed Earl of Tyrone by the Queen, is a divided man: Elizabeth gives to Hugh her love, and her commandments, through a little mirror of obsidian which he can never discard; but the ancient peoples of Ireland arise from their underworld to make Hugh their champion, the token of their vow a chip of flint.

Much of this history is true, and once it might be said that all of it was. This is a historical novel shot through with fantasy, or alternately, a great fantasy novel hung on a scaffolding of history. If Neil Gaiman collaborated with Hilary Mantel, you might get something like Flint and Mirror.

About The Author

John Crowley published his first novel The Deep in 1975, and his twelfth novel, Ka: Dar Oakley in the Ruin of Ymr, in 2017. In 1992 he received the Award in Literature from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters. In 2006 he was awarded the World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement and the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award. He has been nominated for the American Book Award and is the recipient of an Ingram Merrill Foundation grant. Since 1993 he has taught creative writing at Yale University.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Mona on October 29, 2022

Overall Rating 3.5 John Crowley I’m a long time reader of fantasy author John Crowley. I’ve read a few of his books, and liked some more than others (Aegypt being a favorite). Crowley has a fine command of language, and can be a pleasure to read. But, even at his best, he’s a confounding and problema......more

Goodreads review by Rachel (TheShadesofOrange) on May 08, 2022

3.5 Stars I read this book on the perfect rainy weekend that fit the cozy atmosphere of this novel perfectly.  This is a historical novel with a just a light touch of fantasy. The magical elements are much lighter than the historical ones so I think this book will work best for readers who read histor......more

Goodreads review by Nathan on April 04, 2022

This is the latest novel from acclaimed author, John Crowley, whom I believe is one of the absolute finest writers that has ever been a part of the SFF genres. I was generously given an ARC copy by Tor/MacMillan books ahead of its April 19th release. Flint and Mirror is, as the cover suggests, a mix......more

Goodreads review by Dan on February 24, 2022

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Macmillian Tor/ Forge for an advanced copy of this historical fantasy novel. To understand the Irish is to understand that what they say might not be what they truly mean. Many of the pithiest comments can be blessings and a curse, sometimes at the same t......more

Goodreads review by Justin on May 09, 2022

I loved the language Crowley uses. His descriptions of magic make impossible things plausible somehow. He did seem have a difficult time finding the end of the story, but perhaps that’s part of the charm.......more