The Merman’s Children (Magill’s Guide to Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature)
At a glance:
- Author: Poul Anderson
- First Published: 1979
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Fantasy—theological romance
- Time of Work: The Middle Ages
- Setting: Coastal areas of Denmark, Greenland, and Dalmatia
- Genres: Long fiction, Fantasy
- Subjects: Folkloric or magical people, Christianity, Denmark or Danish people, Middle Ages, Yugoslavia or Yugoslavians, Fairies, Mermaids or mermen, Greenland or Greenlanders
- Locales: Denmark, Greenland
The Plot
The background to this novel is the story of Agnete, a mortal maiden from the Danish village of Als, who was seduced by Vanimen, merman king of Liri. Agnete lived as his wife undersea for eight years before homesickness overtook her and she returned to her parents on land.
When news of her return and subsequent death finally reaches Magnus Gregersen, the overzealous archdeacon of the region, he is outraged to learn of the presence of a town of merfolk off the coast. He responds by performing an exorcism, cursing the sea people, banning them from their waters,...
[The entire page is 1029 words long]
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