Lavondyss (FANTASY MASTERWORKS)

You'll need to read Mythago Wood first for this to make much sense. Very similar storyline, but told from a third person perspective, not a first person, as in MW. This approach always tends to broaden a book's appeal, even though MW needed nothing done to it at all, one of those rare books that are perfect in themselves. Holdstock also employs the same story-hook, taking an old folk-lore myth and fleshing it out, although here the myth is a different one. As the novel is set back in the 1950s, no chance it will ever be superceded by technology, as is the case with most sci-fi from the 20th century (remember the digital revolution that NO sci-fi writer fore-saw, even when it was happening?). A Narnia for grown-ups, tugging at our childhood nostalgia for playing in the woods. Deservingly won lots of awards at the time of writing (1986). Along with MW, this novel will be in the top-10 fantasy "evergreens" for...well, for ever really. Shame HBO weren't around in the 1980s, or they'd have made MW into a TV series, similar to GOT. It even comes with a Special Guest Appearance by Vaughan Williams.

Lavondyss is a brilliant as, if not a bit better than the first book in the series, Mythago Wood.Some characters from the first book appear in Lavondyss and others are mentioned only by name but this is very much a stand-alone-novel featuring the same myths, legends and concept.I cannot quite put into words how unique and brilliant Lavondyss and Mythago Wood are. This series offers pretty much the most original fantasy fiction I’ve ever read. The scope is breath-taking.Lavondyss is a much darker book than the first book, with much more of it taking place inside Ryhope Wood. The book reveals more about the ancient history of the woods and how the Mythago’s came about. I loved that we peel back more layers of the rather astonishing Ryhope Wood in this book.Lavondyss is, in a word, astonishing. I cannot wait to read the third book, The Bone Forest.

An unheralded masterpiece. I enjoyed Mythago Wood when it came out years ago and on a whim I decided to give Lavondyss a whirl. This is much, much more than your standard fantasy novel. It's a work of genius that weaves the unconcious, Jungian archetypes, mythical characters and cycles into a glorious, tantalizing, exhilerating and thought-provoking story. And the endless wood where the adventures take place is a pretty good metaphor for how idealism could work too. Incredible stuff.

Some very strange stuff going on in this book. I loved it, would have given it 4 stars but for the fact that the latter stages sagged a bit for me. Make sure you read Mythago Wood first. Beware the third book, its a load of short stories which aren't all relevant (or I was too thick to see it)

What a book. Robert Holdstock's imagination was absolutely phenomenal.Of course he's taken traditional myths and folklore, but the way they have been woven into his story is truly wonderful.The story is full of hope, enchantment, love and belonging interspersed with grief, cruelty and longing.I never include a synopsis in my reviews - that's what the book is for, but the breadth of this particular tale is remarkable and each page brings fresh wonders.A tremendous work to read as part of the Mythago Wood series or as a stand alone novel.

I first read this a few years ago as the first in the Mythago Wood series and was hooked.This time around i read Mythago Wood first, and it made a big difference.I am now going to re read them all.

The writing is excellent! Full of twists and turns towards the end. Looking forward to the next book in this series.

I'm obviously struggling to be interested in his book. Heralded as great fantasy literature but I'm bored. Usual character agonising for chapter after chapter while the plot stalls. Yawn!