Red Slippers - More Tales Of Mithgar

Red Slippers: More Tales of Mithgar (2005) – Dennis L. McKiernan
Roc | ISBN: 0451460235
Condition: Good – Slanted Spine | Sold by Crappy Old Books

Fantasy worlds. Magnificent places filled with ancient forests, mysterious kingdoms, legendary heroes and an apparently endless supply of evil creatures determined to make everybody else’s existence thoroughly unpleasant. They are also places where a quiet walk through the countryside can rapidly develop into an epic struggle between good and evil, usually involving magical weapons, sinister prophecies and somebody who really ought to have stayed at home.

Welcome to Red Slippers: More Tales of Mithgar, Dennis L. McKiernan’s enchanting collection of fantasy stories set within his richly imagined world of Mithgar, where adventure lurks around every corner and even the most innocent-looking encounter may have extraordinary consequences.

Mithgar is a realm steeped in mythology, ancient conflicts and the enduring struggle between light and darkness. Its landscapes are inhabited by warriors, mages, Elves, Dwarves and other inhabitants whose lives are frequently complicated by forces considerably older and more powerful than themselves.

McKiernan has spent decades developing this elaborate fantasy universe, creating a history filled with heroic quests, forgotten legends, terrible battles and the sort of ancient grudges that make ordinary family disagreements seem positively insignificant.

In Red Slippers, he returns to this world through shorter adventures, offering readers further glimpses into the characters, traditions and remarkable events that make Mithgar such an appealing destination.

Of course, visiting Mithgar as a reader is considerably safer than attempting to live there.

One can admire its magnificent landscapes, mysterious inhabitants and thrilling encounters without actually being required to confront a supernatural menace armed with little more than a sword, a questionable plan and the enthusiastic encouragement of one’s companions.

The short-story format allows McKiernan to explore corners of his fictional world beyond the sweeping conflicts of his longer novels. Here, individual adventures, unexpected meetings and legendary incidents have room to unfold, adding colour and depth to the larger tapestry of Mithgar’s history.

His storytelling draws upon the traditions of heroic fantasy, folklore and myth, combining the excitement of adventure with an affection for the timeless themes of courage, loyalty, sacrifice and the extraordinary things ordinary individuals can accomplish when circumstances become sufficiently desperate.

There is something wonderfully comforting about traditional fantasy. However complicated the modern world becomes, one can always retreat into a fictional universe where the problems are simpler to identify.

For example, when a terrifying creature emerges from a dark forest carrying an enormous axe, there is rarely much debate about whether it represents an immediate threat.

Published in 2005, Red Slippers is an appealing companion for established admirers of McKiernan’s Mithgar novels, while offering newcomers a taste of his imaginative storytelling.

This 2005 Roc edition, offered in Good condition by Crappy Old Books, has a slanted spine, a visible sign of previous reading and handling. It is therefore a reading copy rather than a pristine collector’s specimen, but retains plenty of appeal for enthusiasts of classic fantasy.

A charming collection of magical adventures, legendary encounters and journeys into a world where ancient mysteries remain gloriously alive.

Because in Mithgar, even the most ordinary object can conceal an extraordinary story.

And when a pair of red slippers appears in the title of a fantasy book, one can reasonably assume they are unlikely to be merely an interesting fashion choice.

After all, sensible footwear is important when embarking upon an adventure.

Particularly if the journey involves several hundred miles, a dangerous wilderness and the possibility of being chased by something with considerably more teeth than you.

Keep browsing: See more Fantasy books Other books by Dennis L McKiernan