The Book of Wonder 1912 is a short story collection by Lord Dunsany Published at the height of his career The Book of Wonder would influence such writers as J R R Tolkein Ursula K Le Guin and H P Lovecraft Recognized as a pioneering author of fantasy and science fiction Dunsany is a man whose work in the words of Lovecraft remains quotunexcelled in the sorcery of crystalline singing prose and supreme in the creation of a gorgeous and languorous world of incandescently exotic visionquot The Book of Wonder Dunsanys fifth collection of stories contains fourteen of his finest tales of fantasy and adventure In quotThe Hoard of the Gibbelinsquot originally published in London weekly The Sketch is the story of Alderic a Knight of the Order of the City Courageous and strong he ventures to the island realm of the Gibbelins where a horde of treasure is rumored to be held at the base of a treacherous castle In quotChuBu and Sheemishquot two idols held in the same ancient temple compete for the adoration of their worshippers As ChuBu and Sheemish attempt more and more astounding miracles they risk striking fear in the hearts of their superstitious people Humorous and inventive Dunsanys tales of high fantasy continue to delight over a century after they first appeared in print With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript this edition of Lord Dunsanys The Book of Wonder is a classic of Irish fantasy fiction reimagined for modern readers
