Wednesday 20 March 2013

Wizards in Fiction & Reality

So, why write a book about magic, mages and sorcery?

Ever since a certain series hit the shelves there has been a lot of interest in wizadry, wizarding and generally mystic goings-on. Some people like their magic with pointy hats and wands, others with all of the grubby bits still left in.

So, why chronicle the activities and happenings of wizards, mages, and sorcerers if there is already so many of them in the public eye?

Quite simply put; this writer is not writing about the former type of  wizards (the ones with robes with a lot of funny symbols on); the sort that can be called 'Romance' wizards as their guise dates back to the Norman Romances where brave knights ran around with shiny swords, lopping the heads off of big worms...

Rather, The Dunnersley Chronicles has uncovered a whole different strata of magic-users, empowered and tainted personages. The Mage of Dunnersley owes more to the likes of Edward Kelley and Dr Dee, than it does to Merlin or Morganna Le Fae. With more than a passing nod to modern folktales and their retellings, and to the things that go bump in the night. The characters in these tales are not superhero creations, but are firmly placed in the 'mundane' world, with all of its associated evils of debt and poverty, hope and hopelessness.

Whilst I was researching this borough, I came across many tales already in the cityscape of strange goings on such as Witchfinders and their Witches, hidden cities and tunnelscapes, haunted inn's, Herne the Hunter, mysterious personages and even more mysterious geometries.

At least, thats the ballpark the story is set near, if not exactly in. If these kind of riddles interest you, and you like your fantasy with horror, humour and above all human elements; then you might be interested in checking out the Chronicles for yourself. If you would like to read about how a magical society might work, including who is 'in' and who is 'out' and the sorts of politics that might occur; then take a gander!

Above all, if you're a fan of mystic, archaic, chaotic, necrotic and mephitic London; then I would certainly suggest that this little tale is worth checking out.

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