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Title: A beautiful book!
Review: A splendid, warm prose retelling of the "Thomas the Rhymer" ballad, informed by all the many versions, but also wonderfully filled out by Kushner's imagination and understanding of her characters. The shifting narrative, from four individual perspectives, seemed initially distancing, but works successfully and allows a fuller view of True Thomas. Once it passes to Thomas himself the narrative is breathtakingly beautiful, with the elegance and lyricism of the text making re-reading rewarding (very unusual). The Queen of Elfland is a magnificent creation, full of ambiguities: just gorgeous! Reading this book reminded me of the pleasure of reading Beagle or Dunsany (at his best), but it is unique and lovely in a completely individual way. The overall contemplation of mortality is poignant. I was sorry to finish reading this the first time!
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