McKillip, Patricia A.
McKillip, Patricia A. (1948– ),American writer of fantasy novels for children and adults. While none of McKillip's many fine books are direct retellings of fairy tales, this author's prose is so thoroughly steeped in the language of folk and fairy tales that all of her work has the flavour of stories passed down through the generations. McKillip established her reputation with the award‐winning novel The Forgotten Beasts of Eld (1974), a mysterious tale of a young enchantress who wields a powerful magic yet lies emotionally frozen, awaiting the kiss that will wake her human heart. The Riddlemaster Trilogy (1976–9) uses riddles and snippets of invented folklore as it follows a poetic young prince on a quest—and his stubbornly down‐to‐earth sister, engaged in a quest of her own. The award‐winning Something Rich and Strange (1994), based on fairy art by Brian Froud, spins mermaid tales, British fairy lore,...
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