Wizard of the Pigeons

Wizard of the Pigeons is a 1985 urban fantasy novel set in Seattle by Megan Lindholm, issued as a paperback original by Ace Books and reprinted in hardcover by Hypatia Press in 1994 and as a 35th Anniversary Edition (illustrated by Tommy Arnold) by Grim Oak Press in 2020. Several UK editions have also been published. The book explores the themes of homelessness, poverty, and mental illness.

Wizard of the Pigeons
First edition cover
AuthorMegan Lindholm
Cover artistRobert Gould
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreUrban fantasy
PublisherAce Books
Publication date
28 January 1986
Pages214
ISBN0-441-89467-4
OCLC14054439

The novel has been classified as modern Arthurian fantasy, with the title character identified with Merlin Ambrosius.[1] This book is also categorized as Urban Fantasy.[2] Roger Zelazny called it "terrific".

Plot

The plot focuses on the homeless character 'Wizard' and his battle with a malignant force from his forgotten past.[3] In order to survive, Wizard must rely on his powerful gift of 'Knowing'. This allows him to know the truth of things, to receive fortunes and to reveal to people the answers to their troubles. Aiding him in his battle for survival is the enigmatic 'Cassie' and several other people from the streets.

Reception

Orson Scott Card praised the novel as "miraculously good" (although he faulted the ending); he described it as "so real, so original, you won't regret buying it and reading it."[4]

Dave Langford reviewed Wizard of the Pigeons for White Dwarf #90, and stated that "another unusual fantasy, based on a cunning insight [...] Fresh, original, exciting."[5]

References
  1. Ann F. Howey & Stephen Ray Reimer, A Bibliography of Modern Arthurian Fantasy, Boydell & Brewer Ltd., 2006, p.235
  2. Walton, Jo. "Homeless and Magical: Megan Lindholm's Wizard of the Pigeons". Tor.com. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  3. Carroll, Siobhan (Fall 2012). "Imagined Nation: place and national identity in Neil Gaiman's American Gods". Extrapolation. 53 (3): 307–326. doi:10.3828/extr.2012.17.
  4. "The Light Fantastic", If, September 1986, p.26
  5. Langford, Dave (June 1987). "Critical Mass". White Dwarf. Games Workshop (90): 19.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.