These Mortals (Magill’s Guide to Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature)
At a glance:
- Author: Margaret Irwin
- First Published: 1925
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Fantasy—cautionary
- Time of Work: Medieval, but with calculated anachronisms
- Setting: An imaginary European kingdom
- Genres: Long fiction, Fantasy
- Subjects: Magic or magicians, Snakes, Love or romance, Europe or Europeans, Cats, Birds, Middle Ages, Boats or boating
- Locales: Mythical lands
The Plot
Aldebaran, an enchanter, has withdrawn in disgust from the world of mortal human beings, but his daughter Melusine inevitably becomes curious about that world and ultimately runs away to find out about it for herself. Her magic boat takes her, along with three animal friends—a cat, a snake, and a raven—to the shore of a kingdom ruled by Eminondas and Adelisa. Her diamond- studded shoes and extraordinary beauty command their instant respect, and they lodge her with their daughter Blanchelys, hoping that eventually she will marry their son Pharamond.
Melusine...
[The entire page is 999 words long]

