Of wizards, myths and white horses (The Weirdstone Of Brisingamen - Alan Garner)

Name: Bryn Pearson

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Product:	The Weirdstone Of Brisingamen - Alan Garner
Date:	05/08/03 (185 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: excellent tale, beautifully told

Disadvantages: none

Once, a farmer from Moberly way was going to Maclesfield to sell a beautiful white horse. He was stopped on the roadside by an old man who offered to buy the beast, but thinking he could get a better price, he went on his way. He did not sell th hrose, and returnnig home that evening, he saw the old man again, and this time accepted his offer. The old man led him out onto Alderley edge and down into a cave, wherein the farmer saw fabulous riches, and a host of sleeping knights. Each knight had a white horse, save for one. The farmer was allwoed to fill his pockets with treasure in exchange for his horse, and made his way home more wealthy than he could have imagined. Try as he might, he could never find that cave again.

This is the legend of Alderley Edge, and places it within the Arthurian tradition, for the sleeping kniights are Arthur and his men, waiting for the time when the country needs them again, and the wizard watching over them is Merlin.

It is with this myth that Alan Garner begins his story 'The Weirdstone of Brisingamen'. Having set the scene with this tale, Garner moves forward in time, to the early twentieth century. Colin and Susan are siblings whose parents are working abroad. They have been sent to stay with their mother's old nurse, now married to a farmer. The Mossack's are a homely, friendly duo who make the children welcome. Soon Colin and Susan are out exploring the local landscape, and most particularly the mysterious Alderley Edge, full of caves and old mines as well as legends. Without warning, they find themselves thrust into dangers and magic, threatened by dark elves, the svart, rescued by Cadellin, the wizard of the Edge and drawn into a myth that is still living.

Garner blends mythological figures like the Morrigan, with beings of his own creation, weaving a tale steeped in myth butstill fresh and accessible. The children are caught up in an amazing adventure, as they try to protect the vital
ly important weirdstone from those who would seek to abuse its power. They must flee through the strangest of places and from terrible creatures, finding unlikely allies along the way. It is an exciting, magical tale, and a very well written.

Ostensibly this is a tale for children - but I would say it's better for the slightly older child because there's a lot to take in and a fair bit of it is scary. It is very readable if you are the sort of adult who goes for this sort of thnig - anyone who enjoys Potter or Tolkien ought to give it a go. If you enjoy it, there is an excellent sequel - 'The moon of Gomrath.'

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