He walked along the brink, along the line of nothing, between sky and ancient river

[sovay]

I seem to have celebrated the solstice this year by reading Alan Garner's Boneland (2012) and singing "Fairytale of New York" with derspatchel .

Works for me.

Comments

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

Out of interest, have you read its immediate predecessor, Thursbitch? That seems closer to Boneland in spirit than does Strandloper, for my money.

[sovay]

its immediate predecessor, Thursbitch? That seems closer to Boneland in spirit than does Strandloper, for my money.

No; that's the Garner I haven't read! I have a copy of The Guizer (1975) I discovered in a used book store in grad school, but I never found that one.

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

The Guizer is the rarer book, I'd say! Thursbitch is at least still in print. I think it's my favourite of his adult novels. I hope it won't be spoilery (because it's not that sort of book) if I give you the last few lines of it, which I love:

“Bryn. If I’m to rest tonight in this flowery valley, tell them to put me in me own fold, so as I’m close to you. Then, tell them, put at me head a pipe of hornbeam, for sweetness; a pipe of holly, for sadness; a pipe of oak, for wildness. Then when the wind blows it must play. And tell them in good truth as how I wed the wench of this world; and a star fell.

“Tell them as how Sun and Moon held crown for me; as how Cats Tor and Shining Tor were me parsons; quickthorns me witness; and all to the singing of a thousand brids and the sky my torches.”

And out over Throon above Bully Thrumble the high lord hanging holy under heaven. And Crom asleep in the ground.

[sovay]

The Guizer is the rarer book, I'd say!

Well, it's in a box somewhere, like far too many of my books. But at least I know it's there.

And out over Throon above Bully Thrumble the high lord hanging holy under heaven. And Crom asleep in the ground.

Yes, I will like this very much.