From the author of The Magician’s Daughter comes a captivating historical fantasy where dreams come to life and Arthurian legends are reborn.
Wales, 1941. As the second world war ravages the globe and bombs fall from the sky, people all over the world begin to dream of King Arthur. The dreams spread like a fantastical plague, flooding people’s sleep night after night. Whispers arise of wonders and unexplained sights – dragons in the London Underground, and strange lights over Stonehenge. Self-proclaimed prophets claim they are miracles, heralding Arthur’s return at the time of Britain’s greatest need.
Elaine Ambrose has never dreamed of Arthur, and she doesn’t believe in miracles. A librarian at the British Museum, she wants only to protect the museum’s collection from the Blitz, and is frustrated to be sent instead to catalogue a reclusive professor’s private library on the coast of North Wales. But all is not as it seems. Soon Ellie must confront what she’s tried to ignore: she dreams not of Arthur, but of Nimue – the Lady of the Lake. And her dreams promise not salvation, but a return to the darkness of the last days of Camelot.
Wales, 1941. As the second world war ravages the globe and bombs fall from the sky, people all over the world begin to dream of King Arthur. The dreams spread like a fantastical plague, flooding people’s sleep night after night. Whispers arise of wonders and unexplained sights – dragons in the London Underground, and strange lights over Stonehenge. Self-proclaimed prophets claim they are miracles, heralding Arthur’s return at the time of Britain’s greatest need.
Elaine Ambrose has never dreamed of Arthur, and she doesn’t believe in miracles. A librarian at the British Museum, she wants only to protect the museum’s collection from the Blitz, and is frustrated to be sent instead to catalogue a reclusive professor’s private library on the coast of North Wales. But all is not as it seems. Soon Ellie must confront what she’s tried to ignore: she dreams not of Arthur, but of Nimue – the Lady of the Lake. And her dreams promise not salvation, but a return to the darkness of the last days of Camelot.
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Reviews
I devoured this tale! Parry braids Arthurian myths into war-time Britain with urgency and deft. Her magic is as haunting as a sea-wind. Her writing brings both history and legend to life
Easily my favourite read of this year . . . an unputdownable, bittersweet tale
One of the best pieces of literature I have read in far too long . . . Bravo, H. G. Parry. Bravo!
By turns wondrous, haunting and mysterious . . . historical fantasy at its finest
H. G. Parry is a writer known for building on what has come before, and in The Witch Beneath the Dreaming Wood she draws deeply on the traditions of Arthurian romances. A magical blend of real World War II history with the mythical history of the great romantic legends creates a charmingly original entry into the Arthurian canon, full of rich and believable characters. A lovely read!
The Magician's Daughter is that most rare and precious thing: a brand-new classic, both wholly original and wonderfully nostalgic. It's an absolute treasure
H.G. Parry masterfully blends myth, history, and legend into a rich and heartfelt story. The Witch Below the Dreaming Wood is a worthy addition to the annals of Arthuriana