Alan's own grandfather, Joseph Garner, "could read, but didn't and so was virtually unlettered", but instead taught his grandson the various folk tales about The Edge, Alan later remarking that, as a result, he was "aware of [the Edge's] magic" when as a child he would often play there with his friends.Garner 2010. p. 09. The story of the king and the wizard living under the hill played an important part in the young Alan's life, becoming "deeply embedded in my psyche" and influencing his novels, in particular The Weirdstone of Brisingamen.
alan's own grandfather joseph garner "could read but didn't and so was virtually unlettered" but instead taught his grandson the various folk tales about the edge alan later remarking that as a result he was "aware of [the edge's] magic" when as a child he would often play there with his friendsgarner 2010 p 09 the story of the king and the wizard living under the hill played an important part in the young alan's life becoming "deeply embedded in my psyche" and influencing his novels in particular the weirdstone of brisingamen