The Belgariad, Vol. 2 (Books 4 & 5): Castle of Wizardry, Enchanters' End Game

Book Description

David Eddings’ acclaimed series, The Belgariad, reaches its stunning conclusion in these final two gripping novels. Continue on this magnificent journey and be entranced by a saga of strange lands and peoples, of prophecy and strife set against the background of a seven-thousand-year war of men, Kings, and Gods.

The quest may be nearing its end, but the danger continues. After discovering a shocking secret about himself he never could have imagined—all in pursuit of the legendary Orb—Garion and his fellow adventurers must escape a crumbling enemy fortress and flee across a vast desert filled with ruthless soldiers whose only aim is to destroy them. But even when the quest is complete, Garion’s destiny is far from fulfilled. For the evil God Torak is about to awaken and seek dominion. Somehow, Garion has to face the God, to kill or be killed. On the outcome of this dread duel rests the future of the world. But how can one man destroy an immortal God?

“Fabulous . . . Eddings has a marvelous storyteller style . . . exceedingly well portrayed and complex people. . . . More! More! More!”
—ANNE MCCAFFREY

Customer Reviews:

Love it, always have!.......2007-08-15

Approximately 15 years ago, I was given a copy of Pawn of Prophecy (Belgariad). I quickly read all the Belgariad, then the Mallorean and moved on to Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress. I have never read anything like these books. Over the last 15 years I have read all these books at least 20 times. Everytime I read the series something else comes out of the books that i either didn't notice last time or that became more important as I aged. David and his wife Leigh Eddings intersperse just enough philosphy and aged wisdom to enhance the reading experience. Dialog is often funny, while maintaining the seriousness of the story. The characters are some of the most engaging characters I have ever read, and they will grow with you.

For a great read, and an engaging read, I recommend you read the best series of books I have ever read.

This may be another save the world story, but worth reading.......2007-06-25

This is the second installment of the Belgariad, finishing out the tale of Garion and his group of friends. Though the Belgariad Volume One is somewhat stronger and a better read, This second half of the tale finishes the story in a way that keeps the readers attention. He develops the characters even more, and they were my favorite part of the entire story.

At the end of Volume One, Garion and his friends have defeated Ctuchik and in the process caused Rak Thol to destroy itself. This book picks up right where that last one left off and continues with the groups travels to get to Riva on the Isle of the Winds. The beginning of the story is quite engaging, but it tends to get a bit tedious towards the middle. But the ending comes back around and grabs the reader refusing to let go until the last page is turned. We follow along as Garion decides to go off on his own with Silk and Belgarath for his meeting with the evil god Torak, and leaves Aunt Pol and Ce'Nedra behind to deal with the Kings of the lands of the West. They are forced to raise an army, mostly of Ce'Nedra's doing. This is where the story begins to slow. Once the army is formed and the marching finally comes to an end, a battle begins at Thull Mardu, and from then on the reading is fast and entertaining.

I thought this book was a great ending to this enjoyable series. I gave it three stars only because I enjoyed volume one slightly more. I plan on tackling the next series The Mallorean in the near future. Hopefully it will be just as entertaining as this story was!

Wondrous.......2007-05-22

Part 2 of a wondrous series of books. The author is amazing at captivating his audience.

The Belgariad.......2007-01-21

The books were in excellent condition. David Eddings's story of Belgarion keeps the reader enchanted throughout the series.

Great Reading.......2006-11-13

I was introduced to this series a couple of years ago and I've been in love with it ever since. I can't believe I never came across it sooner. Of course now that I've read it I come across it in book stores all the time now. This series is a beautiful series for all readers. I wouldn't limit it to fantasy lovers because it is simply a terrific series. It has everything you can ever want to read in a book - humour, fear, action and satisfaction that good does indeed have a say in what goes on in the world. The characters come alive in your head without even trying, the storyline is addictive so it's best to either buy all the books in the series from the start or make plans to get it as soon as you can.

It was great to get these books in 4 books instead of 10. I still re-read this series and I've recently bought them as christmas presents. It's an excellant buy for any avid reader or even for those you might want to encourage to read. For all those who do buy this series, check out Belgarath and Polgara - the companion editions.

Enchanter (The Wayfarer Redemption, Book 2)

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Another excelleng book in this series.
Douglass does it again...
Worth your time.
New book, new love, new annoying people...

Enchanter (The Wayfarer Redemption, Book 2)
Sara Douglass
Manufacturer: Tor Fantasy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0765341964

Book Description

The stunning sequel to The Wayfarer RedemptionAxis is a true hero, in every sense of the word. On his shoulders lies the double burden of prophecy and war. Having fulfilled the first part of the prophecy by becoming the StarMan, he now must reunite the three races inhabiting his world. It is his destiny to lead an army against his evil half-brother, to regain control of Tencendor, once the greatest land in the world. It is his destiny to be caught between the two women he loves, one the epitome of gentility, beauty, and intelligence, the other a fierce warrior with a cunning wit. And it is his destiny to be thwarted at every turn by the vicious Goragel, an insane monster bent on destroying all that Axis works to preserve . . .Enchanter is the riveting sequel to Sara Douglass's spell-binding first novel The Wayfarer Redemption, and winner of the 1996 Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel. Sara Douglass has taken America by storm with this powerful tale of love, prophecy, battles, and revenge.

Customer Reviews:

Press Continue Button.......2007-03-14

While the second novel is just as good as the first one it seemed to be lacking a bit of energy that was put into it's prequel. While the plot is good some of the New characters you want to beat over the head with a rock. The only real appealing thing is the cover art by Luis Royo - that man can draw!

Another excelleng book in this series........2007-02-20

This is a wonderful continuation of the first book, both in complexity of new elements and resolution -- or extension -- of previous storylines. Okay, so the prophesy bit has been done to death. But Sara Douglas takes the usual trite nonsense and turns it into poetry. You will *not* be able to figure out all the plot twists, yet none of them seem to come out of nowhere (no deus ex mechina here). Her world is beautifully realized, from geography to politics, to an epic scope of storyline that assumes a fabulously detailed history that is uncovered one piece at a time, starting at the crux of the prophecy and then moving forward. She spares no detail in showing both the glory of an army who follows their leader out of faith and love, and the horrors of war and the intricacy of battle strategy. The multiple perspectives are very rewarding, since they both show the motivations of complex nemeses and heroes, but also dwell on each character long enough to make him/her more than just a side note or a distraction. In scope and detail it reminds me of nothing more than Tolkein's world (but without all the excessive details regarding which stream turned where and how hard each rock was). Of course, it's not the first fantasy novel of this kind, but should definitely be ranked amongst the best. Thematically, Sara Douglass explores a world in which the personal implications of a change of religion like that which the Earth experienced during the middle ages when the many gods were superseded by the one god, then twists it around so that the one god is replaced by the many. The spiritual and cultural implications of this are thoroughly explored. The mythology surrounding the trees and the forests, reminiscent of the fear that medieval (and more ancient man) had of the forest, is particularly well done. And finally, an element so rare in fantasy, Sara Douglass gives her heroes such flaws as to make them not only human (even when they're not actually human), but so ambiguous that they might very well be villains in a story told from a different perspective -- then shows you some of these perspectives. Well worth the read.

Douglass does it again..........2007-02-15

The story still has a lot of potential, as do the characters; the best feature, however, is the growing list of made up and misused words. This list continues to make me laugh, and the more books there are in this series, the longer the list gets. Where *is* the editor? Here's one of my favorite examples:
Men aren't virulent! They're VIRILE! Douglass misuses "virulent" when she clearly means "virile" to describe her male characters' sexual energy.

Worth your time........2006-09-05

This series wavers on the edge of excellence, but just doesn't quite get there. It starts much like a Goodking/Jordan sort of tale and sometimes includes the darkness of Martin's Fire and Ice.

Maybe this will be resolved in future books in the series, and I suspect that it is, but characters like Axis are showing some blatant and annoying character flaws, that cause reactions that even the village idiot would avoid. Minor things like neglecting to inform your betrothed that you're having children by another woman.

Maybe the rest of the series will explain or absolve some of this. We'll see.

New book, new love, new annoying people..........2006-03-19

Enchanter is the second book in the wayfarer redemtion which covers six novels. This book primarlu covers the training of Axis, the starman of the ancient prophecy and his battle with his half brother Bornheld to control the country so that he can repel the ice monsters of the north.

Axis develops into kind of ass in this book. First, he cheats on Faraday with Azhure, falls in love with her and has kids with her. Azhure of course, is not what she seems, but that only makes the betrayal of trust marginally ok. I never thought the romance was particularly well developed in the first book anyway, so I wasn't too upset about all this. But still, Faraday has a huge shock in this book. However she has grown into an amazing woman and handles it well.

The other part of this book is battles. Overall, it's a good book. But the wholly unlikable characters of Axis (who is just not a nice man and is arrogant and annoying and I don't know why everyone else loves him in the book) and his father Stardrifter made parts of the book less fun. And I still don't like the tendency to make the characters close to gods (really close in some cases) in terms of their power. It's annoying.

Other than that though, four stars, and I'm on to the next book.

Three months later-in retrospect I don't think I like this series very much. It's not very well written, it has no likeable well drawn charecters and a lot of the actions are brutaly offensive. In retrospect I think I find Sara Douglass's writing to be very dark and depressing and gloomy-but not always in a way that works. I wouldn't advise reading her stuff, excepting Threshold, unless you can work a two week depresion into your life.

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A satisfying ending to a good series
Enchanters Endgame
Pros & Cons
Decent conclusion
Great Book

Enchanters' End Game
David Eddings
Manufacturer: Books in Motion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

General | Books on CD | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
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ASIN: 1581168950

Book Description

Belgariad, Book #5. Conclusion.

The quest was over. The Orb of Aldur was restored. And yet the the Prophecy was unfulfilled. In the east, the evil God Torak was about to awaken and seek dominion. Somehow, Garion had to face the God, to kill or be killed. On the outcome of that dread duel rested the destiny of the world. Read by Cameron Beierle.

13 CD's 14 Hrs.

Customer Reviews:

A satisfying ending to a good series.......2007-06-06

In Enchanter's Endgame David Eddings draws the Belgariad to a much anticipated conclusion. As the armies of the West invade Mishrak ac Thull to stave off two huge armies of Angaraks, Garion, Belgarath, and Silk jounrney to the heart of Torak's dominions, Cthol Mishrak, City of Darkness. Both the allied armies and Garion's small company will face challenges and a few suprises that the sleeping God Torak has up his sleeve.

Edding's stories are nothing terribly new, but they are fun and witty. This book especially showcased Eddings ability to weave some really fun characters into a familiar fantasy setting while not being cliche. Enjoy!

Enchanters Endgame.......2006-11-05

It just doesn't get better than David Eddings, the Belgariad and the 5 books that follow called the Mallorean. All are a must read for adults and children alike. I love Harry Potter, but even he takes a back seat to the magic of David Eddings.

Pros & Cons.......2006-07-12

There are some very good things about this book, and then some really glaring flaws. Despite all, this series is the best Eddings wrote. His characters are actually likeable. In later ones his writing style goes clunky and he tries to make every other sentance a deadpan joke. In "The Dreamers", the style of writing is so 'talk about important things in a silly way' that the series falls flat. Sorry to rant about that, but really, if you want to read Eddings read the Belgariad. (If you're curious, the Mallorean is about the same characters and has some of hte Belgariad's charm, but not all. The Elenium and the Tamali, both about a two-demensional knight named Sparhawk, are okay but really not at all interesting. "The Redemption of Athaelus" is one book about a thief and a goddess; completely funny, but it would be a disaster if it weren't a single book. "The Dreamers" is just aweful. STay away from it.)

However, I'm talking about Enchanter's End Game. Moreover I am writing to amuse myself, not whoever reads this. So: Things I like. I adore the way the queens left behind to rule while their husbands go off and fight handle things. Silar of Algeria, Porenn of Drasnia, and even the flakey Islena of Cherek spend their time defeating hte plots of the Bear-Cult, a bunch of conspiratorially minded religious extremists. Silar sends them off to conduct a survey of all the foals and calves in her kingdom; Islena (assisted by the formidable Lady Merel and the sneaky Queen Porenn) ships them all off to war; and Porenn herself manages to clean them out of her spy service and send them to the worst duty posts she and her spymaster can think of. On the side, Porenn negociates with the supposedly enemy kingdom of Gar og Nadrak so that hte Nadraks end up switching sides in the middle of a battle. The queen of Arendia, Mayaserana, manages (in heavily embroidered language) to stop her country's civil war, which was supposed to have ended centuries ago but stayed because of a formality. Something regardant on which of her titles half of the country owed fealty to. You have to read it to understand- honestly, the Arends are the silliest people in teh series. And finally, Layla of Sendaria, a rather stay at home mother, defeats a scheming ambasador by pretending to be incredibly absent-minded and enlisting hte help of her three youngest children to interupt him. The queens all get away with huge things because people expect them to be stupid, and they aren't. Except maybe Islena, and she has the good sense to pick good advisors. The situation parellels the way ladies took over ruling and fighting at home when their husbands were off on the Crusades in teh middle ages.

The humor in this book hasn't gotten so crazy and omnipresent. It's there, but in later books Eddigns feels that his undoubted funniness gives him the right to ignore characters, setting... in fact, the later books are made up of humor, battles, some sex/romance, and in some cases a little-girl goddess. Bad form. Fortunately he hasn't done that yet here. This one's still okay.

The bad things: Eddings tends to make every person in one of his countries as one of a 'type'. Sendars are practical and decent. Period. Arends are passionate and not too bright and taken up with nobility to the point of idiocy; if they are Mimbrates tehy talk in high style (Thee, thou, prithee, et cetera, sentances that last forever.) Chereks are semi-pirates. Drasnians are sneaky. You get hte picture. THat's the chief flaw.

Decent conclusion.......2006-06-09

Enchanter's End Game by David Eddings is the fifth and final book in The Belgariad saga. This book finishes off the tale of Garion and his progression from kitchen scallion to that of powerful wizard. Edding's writing style may turn off some fans as at times he will explain in great detail some event and then others he will offer only a cursory explanation and description. Also, some of his characters are very clichýd and he seems to recycle a few plot lines now and again. However, that should not take away from the fact that this series of books tells a good story and offers a variety of situations to keep most readers interested. I also believe that this series of books would be a good series to recommend to a younger (12 and up) reader to get them interested in the genre as the concepts are not overly difficult to understand.

The plot of this book starts up right where the last book, Castle of Wizardry, leaves off. There is an epic battle that will be taking place and Garion and his group are seeking to kill the god Torak. The two plot lines together lend themselves well to playing off of each other and allowing enough time to set both up. Edding's does a good job at making sure the reader understands they story well enough so that when events occur the readers knows why they happened as well as an inclining of what to expect next.

As I mentioned before, my biggest complaint with Edding's writing is that his characters are overly clichýd and it seems like he uses a cookie cutter to place a `class' of character into the story and then adds a bit to make the character appear new and interesting. The only character within this book, and the previous 4, that really stood out to me is Silk. He brought a slightly new feel to the classic rogue character and his banter was rather humorous at times. Other than that the characters were mostly forgettable. I am not saying they were `bad' characters, they are simply not characters that kept me interested for the sake of themselves. I was interested in the story, just not so much because of the characters.

Overall, this was a good book and a decent series. If you are expecting an epic tale, like that of Steven Erikson, you will be disappointed. This is a series that is fun to read and does not require a great deal of effort to understand it. I would however recommend this series to newer fantasy readers as well as younger readers. It may be a good `hook' series to get more people interested. All in all not a bad finish to this saga.

Great Book.......2006-02-02

This book is David Eddings worst, but it's still absolutely amazing! I've lost track of how many times I've read it.
Garion finally faces his fear, and gets rid of it, saving the world, universe, and all of that at the same time.
This book shows and end holding a new beginning, something I really like in a book. This book also has the characters shown from a new point of view, especially Ce'Nedra. She is amazingly more mature in this book.
The characters in this book are realistic and enjoyable, as is the rest of the story. I stronly suggest this book to anyone out there who enjoys an easy, advanced read.

The Belgariad Part 2 (Castle of Wizardry, Enchanter's End Game)

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The Belgariad Part 2 (Castle of Wizardry, Enchanter's End Game)

Manufacturer: Del Rey - Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0739444158

Product Description

The thrilling conclusion to David Edding's monumental fantasy The Belgariad - includes Castle of Wizardry and Enchanters' End Game.

The Belgariad Set, Books 1-5: Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, Magician's Gambit, Castle of Wizardry, & Enchanter's End Game

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A Great Read
To bad it is all finished and in the past
Belgariad & Malloreon. My Favorite.
Great Entry-to-Mid-level Fare
Praise-worthy

The Belgariad Set, Books 1-5: Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, Magician's Gambit, Castle of Wizardry, & Enchanter's End Game
David Eddings
Manufacturer: Del Rey Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0345340442

Customer Reviews:

A Great Read.......2005-10-14

Eddings' series The Belgariad is one of my all-time favorite reads. It's the classic fantasy good-vs.-evil, coming-of-age, lost-kings-returning, quest-with-companions epic. These are common themes in fantasy, but Eddings' writing is so witty, and his characters so intriguing, that it never gets old. He seems very aware he is using some well established cliches, but puts new twists on them and even makes fun of them as the story goes on. I especially love Eddings' twist on the concept of prophesy: In this story, the prophesy is actually sentient, and does not hesitate to tell our hero, Garion, when he is being an idiot.
This series is funny, entertaining, engrossing, and complex. It was my introduction to the sword and sorcery genre of fantasy, and I absolutely love it.

To bad it is all finished and in the past.......2004-04-17

I recomend all of david eddings books to any reader of any age.
David eddings is my idle in a short way of putting it... he has brought a new light to me and my writing since i was a child... His books have a certian amount of amusement in them. Yet the characters are all lovable. This is a book that i promise all will remember and read again... I love all of his books. his philosiphy is simple to understand, yet the writing syle is one that i still have not seen in any other books. He allows a certian amount of ammusement into them, yet keeping them serious. His books are like a good movie that you dont want to end. After reading one of them you want more and more. until you have devoured the very sould of his writing.

To put it short i dont know why i like them there just fun loving and honest to god books.

Belgariad & Malloreon. My Favorite........2004-04-02

I have never came across a set of books that is so moving,very few authors have made me as emitional as this athor has with this set.I hope their will be a follow up,it would be nice to see how everything whent after all was said and done,peace doesn't last for ever. Highly recomened,own the full set,have read them so much I can almost tell the story myself.

Great Entry-to-Mid-level Fare.......2001-10-16

This is, I believe, Eddings' first real foray into the realm of true Fantasy, and it doesn't disappoint. Eddings does well to develop characters over time and doesn't sacrifice depth for brevity. I've always enjoyed the sense of humor he brings to his works and the repartee that develops between the characters.

If you are looking for a great starter series in the fantasy genre or a more developed work, look no further. Those looking for the complexity and seriousness of high-fantasy should stick with Tolkien and Donaldson.

This was one of my favorite starting fantasy series, and continues to entertain after all these years.

Praise-worthy.......2001-06-23

David Eddings' Belgariad series is one of the masterpieces of modern fantasy literature. I fell in love with his books many years ago, and re-read them to this day. His characters are lifelike and amusing, and written in a very human manner. Every time I read, I feel like I am visiting with old friends. Although Eddings writes conflicts into his story, he writes with an assurance that success will come which parallels the great epics of history. His novels, though not thrilling, are relaxing and enthralling in a more stoic fashion-- you will care about the characters and want to see them succeed.

I would recommend this book to the starting fantasy reader, or the reader of modern fiction who hasn't yet delved into the genre. Eddings' personal style and lovable characters have turned me into a dedicated fantasy reader, and I have not yet found his equal among the other authors I've read.

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The Flight from the Enchanter: A Story of Love and Power
Iris Murdoch
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Murdoch, Iris | ( M ) | Authors, A-Z | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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Unofficial Rose

The Unicorn

Under the Net

Philosopher's Pupil

The Sandcastle

ASIN: 0140017704

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Fabulous!

Magical children's book
The Wise Enchanter: A Journey Through the Alphabet
Shelley Davidow
Manufacturer: Bell Pond Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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The Festival of Stones: Autumn and Winter Tales of Tiptoes Lightly

A Journey Through Time in Verse and Rhyme

The Seven-Year-Old Wonder Book

The Tales of Tiptoes Lightly: The Bee Who Lost His Buzz, Pumpkin Crow, Lucy Goose and the Half-Egg

ASIN: 0880105623

Book Description

Words are disappearing from the world. Something is lurking in the deepest waters, devouring all the words that are no longer used. No one has noticed, but the world is slowly growing darker. For many years no children have come to the Enchanted Islands in search of Wisdom, and the Wise Enchanter is growing old. Four children from the corners of the earth have been sent on a quest to rediscover each letter, unlock the treasure of language, and thereby grow wise. Time is running out; if the children do not reach the castle of the Wise Enchanter in time, Wisdom and light may vanish from the world altogether.

Customer Reviews:

Fabulous!.......2005-12-24

The Wise Enchanter will spark the imagination in children of all ages! It is wonderfully well written and beautifully illustrated. This is a great book to read with small children and older children will be excited to read it on their own! Even adults will enjoy this magical journey through the alphabet. I really enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to share it. I look forward to seeing what other adventures this wonderful author has in store for the future.

Magical children's book.......2005-11-13

Oh, if only there were more kids books like this one. Stunning illustrations, clever and beautiful use of the letters of the alphabet and a captivating story all make this a wonderful read. I enjoyed reading it to my 6 year old almost as much as he enjoyed hearing it. Read it with your younger kids or let your older independent readers enjoy it on their own. I really can't say enough about the pictures, My kids had a blast trying to figure out where all the 'letter shapes' were in each illustration. This reminds me a little bit of those old Elsa Beskow and Enid Blyton books from my childhood - the ones I still remember. Can't wait to see if this author writes another kids book. Her other stuff seems to be for older teens/young adults.
Gina Harris,
Florida

The Belgariad, Part Two: Castle of Wizardry; Enchanters' End Game

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The Belgariad, Part Two: Castle of Wizardry; Enchanters' End Game

Manufacturer: Nelson Doubleday
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: B000HKJH34

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The Enchanter Returns
High praise for a lesser known master

Enchanter Reborn
Decamp
Manufacturer: Baen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0671721348

Customer Reviews:

The Enchanter Returns.......2006-07-24

L. Sprague de Camp and Fletcher Pratt created one of the most influential stories in fantasy. The stories of Harold Shea in THE INCOMPLEAT ENCHANTER was the first glimpse of fantasy written for adults with a system of magic that followed rules (something we might take for granted today). But these stories were more than just the first. They were also some of the best. Well, after running into the gods of Norse and Finnish myth, Spencer's Faery Queen and other places of imagination, Harold Shea is back in a whole new set of adventures.

L. Sprague de Camp has been joined by Christopher Stasheff to create the new Harold Shea stories. In the new volume Harold starts out in an adventure penned by Stasheff where he goes up against one of his toughest opponents, the Board of Trustees, as he must justify the absence of himself and his companions and still maintain his job. A good dose of reality that helps to root the series as a whole.

Harold then travels to the land of Oz in a story by de Camp. Harold appeals to Ozma to use the magic belt stolen from the Gnome King (yes, I know Baum spelled it Nome and they aren't related to the Gnomes but de Camp made the change). For the service Harold must agree to rescue the royal prince from the Gnomes.

The next adventure is another Stasheff story with Harold joining his colleague Chalmers in a search for Chalmers's wife who accidentally jumped to another wheel using the sylogismobile. Shea and Chalmers wind up in the world of the Monkey King and must solve the King's problems before they can continue on their way.

Their next stop is in a story by Holly Lisle based on an outline by de Camp and Stasheff. The pair find themselves in the world of Don Quixote but not the one described by Cervantes, but the one Don Quixote inhabits in his mind. An evil sorcerer (is there any other kind?) has Chalmers's wife and Shea must figure out the local magic if they are to rescue her.

Shea and Chalmers are then cast to the world of Virgil's THE AENEID. The pair join Aeneas in his quest to found a new city after the fall of Troy. This story is by Karl Edward Wagner and is based on an outline by de Camp and Stasheff. Now Harold and Chalmers run afoul of the Roman versions of the Greek gods but they do find Chalmers's wife. The end has them opening their eyes on yet another new world.

The stories in this volume are well written but there is a small problem with continuity. Shea's ability to perform magic varies greatly but is consistent within each story. I was a little miffed at de Camp changing L. frank Baum's Nomes to Gnomes. Baum did not intend the Nomes to have any relation to Gnomes of other myths and legends. His purpose with Oz was to create a brand new American mythos. Other than that I found the volume to be very entertaining and do recommend it to anyone who has read the original collaborations. Harold Shea's adventures continue in THE EXOTIC ENCHANTER.

High praise for a lesser known master.......2000-02-28

I have yet to read another author who tells a great story mixed with humor like De Camp.

Although, he is lesser know than some of his peers (Clarke, Asimov, and Hubbard)he has been every bit an influence to the evolution of science fiction / fantasy. The Enchanter Reborn is proof that De Camp has still a great deal of writing left in him. It is every bit as enjoyable as the first book in this series. Harold Shea returns in his role of bumbling adventurer as De Camp takes him through more worlds of myth come to life. Filled with surprising twists and De Camp's humorous delivery. The Enchanter Reborn is the perfect book for someone who wishes to escape our everyday world and dive into something with wit, humor, and of course adventure.

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A soft portrait of what would become Lolita

"The story resides in the introspection..."

Rough sketch

Dethroned by Lolita

Lolita's notebook sketch
The Enchanter
Vladimir Nabokov
Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Nabokov, Vladimir | Classics | United States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0679728864
Release Date: 1991-07-20

Book Description

The Enchanter is the Ur-Lolita, the precursor to Nabokov's classic novel. At once hilarious and chilling, it tells the story of an outwardly respectable man and his fatal obsession with certain pubescent girls, whose coltish grace and subconscious coquetry reveal, to his mind, a special bud on the verge of bloom.

Customer Reviews:

A soft portrait of what would become Lolita.......2005-05-02

After nearly completing my first year in Law School, I decided that I needed a break from case reading. Thankfully, Nabokov was there to provide a welcome respite from the tedium of my case books.
The Enchanter is a short book, almost not worthy of publication independently, nevertheless it provided me with a brief repose of a perfect magnitude. In this short novella the protagonist is a proto-Humbert who is embryonic in almost every respect. We do not know his name, his history, profession, origin or the raison d'etre for his fatal obsession. For this reason the reader will find it harder to humanize the attrocious acts that he engages in. Similarly, the object of the unnamed protagonist's desire is no Lolita; rather then present us with the beguiling temptress, or the iconic nymphet of Nabokov's latter novel, we are left with a somewhat fungible, inchoate and forgettable young girl. The story follows a somewhat predictable path towards the eventual destruction (is it what he was seeking?) of the protagonist.
There are a few reasons why this novella is worth four stars. First, the brief size of the novella allows the busy or casual reader a little taste of Nabokoviana without the conmesurate investment in time by the reader. Secondly, all of our favorate Nabokov traits are present to some extent in the text. The word play, the beautiful imagery, and the defectless prose-poem quality of his writing are given expression in the pages. Finally, the climax and denoument of the novella executed prefectly. Each scene inevitably leads to the next and appears to offer only one conclusion. The end of our anti-hero is satisfiyingly conveighed.
In conclusion, the serious reader can (almost) never go wrong with Nabokov and The Enchanter does not disappoint. If you have a spare hour and desire some beautiful writing pick up this short volume.

"The story resides in the introspection...".......2004-08-17

That insight, about introspection itself constituting the story, is made by Dmitri Nabokov in an essay appended to The Enchanter. As many have noted in so many words, "The Enchanter" lacks Humbert Humbert's appeal. Still, Nabokov permits us to see in the enchanter, perhaps more succintly than in Lolita, the introspective anxiety of an outwardly ordinary man driven mad by his single-minded obsession with an eternally adolescent female, at least eternal younth "was the carnal postulate." He can neither ignore her as as an object of his desire, nor bring himself to rationalize adequately her hold on him. Indeed, he can empathize with her disgust as he envisions himself through her eyes, a "monstrosity, some ghastly disease." The book's opening sentence, a question, signals the ordeal that is about to unfold, "How can I come to terms with myself?" And, the answer is that he cannot; he cannot gain the distance he needs from his moral framework. He is both sinner and judge; without control,insane and yet damned as a morally responsible soul.

Rough sketch.......2004-03-25

In a sense, "The Enchanter" was not meant to be published. Author Vladimir Nabokov unearthed the extremely brief novel in his papers, 20 years after he dashed it off (and thought it was gone forever). It's "Lolita" before there was "Lolita"... but not quite as interesting.

The main character is a middle-aged, respectable, well-off man, living alone and lonely. He also has a distinct "liking" for teenage girls who are just hitting adolescence, but doesn't dare to try anything. One in particular catches his notice, a coltish girl on roller skates who talks to him at times and gains his affection and lust.

He proposes to the girl's widowed mother, who is terminally ill and pretty crabby; he has no interest in his "monstrous bride" but it's the only way he can get to the girl. The wife's condition gets worse over the following months, and she dies. And the man choreographs his own downfall as he plots to seduce his new stepdaughter...

The mind of a pedophile is a disgusting thing, and Nabokov makes no excuses for it. "The Enchanter" is a pretty straightforward story in comparison, without a lot of twists or surprises. It's far from a bad book, but it's not a terribly good one either. It's fairly ordinary, especially when compared to modern classic "Lolita."

The high point of "The Enchanter" is the rambling thoughts of the lead character as the book opens. Then it dips down and proceeds more or less steadily. Nabokov's lush language and complex symbolism aren't really very present here. His writing is blander and more straightforward, with a lack of polish.

The characters are given no names -- they're just the man, the girl, the wife. And the only characters we really get insight into are the lead character and the teenage girl. He's a lech, a creepy pedophile, with nothing good about him. Though he's the center of the novel it's impossible to feel any understanding for him, only a sort of disgusted pity. And Nabokov evoked that with a flair. And the girl is a sort of vibrant athlete that can be seen at any school.

"The Enchanter" is a sort of pale shadow of "Lolita," a straightforward story about a pedophile and how his obsessions bring him down. Worth checking out, but far from the best.

Dethroned by Lolita.......2003-04-27

Nabokov's Lolita spawns from this short book, and it is fascinating to see the thought process behind the masterpiece. The book is translated to English from Russian, so some of the story may be lost. The Enchanter is a bit disappointing after finishing Lolita. Lolita is full of word play, imagery, allusion, and poetic prose, so finding the Enchanter to be merely a story with not much artistry in the language is almost sad! The storyline consists of little complexity, and the work is void of the characterization that draws the reader into Lolita. The narrator has none of the charisma that the brilliant Humbert Humbert possesses, and comes across simply as a villain. Nabokov's concept of the nymphet that left the term "Lolita" forever in the English vocabulary does not appear either. The young girl's character isn't developed at all; instead the reader gets nothing more than physical descriptions. Nabokov didn't intend the Enchanter for publication at all, it is merely a sketch of an idea he later developed for everyone's eyes. This book is worth reading, but without any expectations that Lolita may cause the reader to have. Perhaps it is better to read the Enchanter before reading Lolita.

Lolita's notebook sketch.......2001-06-22

Like many posthumous works, this first attempt by Nabokov to portray nymphet-love is more interesting to understand the author than as a reading in itself.

Here, the approach is blunter and in a way more shocking - unmitigated by the intellectual rigmaroles that veil the sexual content in "Lolita". The book's plot, with its desperate escape, is a simplified version of the fantastic voyage of Humbert and Dolores. And "The Enchanter" also lacks the mild, educated satire of Middle America which has been a suitable alibi for many readers of the later book.

In a way, "The Enchanter" is like a notebook sketch for "Lolita". It has its basic elements of a story, but none of its richness of colour.

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