The Sundering Flood

New York: Longmans, Green & Co, 1898. First American Edition. hardcover. Ex-Library. 7 7/8" × 5 1/2" (20 × 14 cm) . First Printing. Printed by John Wilson and Son at the University Press in Cambridge U.S.A. 8vo. Bound in library hardcover red cloth with gilt title to spine. Printed on fine, watermarked paper. [vii], [i] (map), 373, [i], [i] (advert) pp. "During the final eight years of his life... Morris wrote ten novels of enduring artistic and thematic strength which have strongly influenced fantasy fiction in the twentieth century, especially the work[s] of [later, fellow Oxford writers] C.S. Lewis [THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA] and J.R.R. Tolkien [THE HOBBIT and THE LORD OF THE RINGS]. In these books, Morris established the fantasy novel in English and helped to define the genre by combining characteristics of heroic, romantic, and comic literature... THE SUNDERING FLOOD is Morris's last great work. The final pages were dictated from his deathbed [to Sir Sydney Carlyle Cockerell, on September 8, 1896; Morris died on October 3rd]. Published posthumously, it shows some weaknesses which would no doubt have been corrected in revision before publication if Morris had lived; but the conception and structure of the work and the character of the hero Osberne Wulfgrimson represent Morris at his best. The book exemplifies the characteristics Morris combined to shape the modern fantasy novel, while presenting a story with a meaning and charm all its own."—Survey of Modern Fantasy Literature IV, pp. 1854–58. "Morris's last and most charming fantasy lacks the sweep of THE WELL AT THE WORLD'S END and the depth of THE WOOD BEYOND THE WORLD, but it benefits from superb characterization and a strong story."—Tymn (ed.), Fantasy Literature, pp. 147–48. See Barron (ed.), Fantasy Literature 2–126. Clute and Grant (eds.), The Encyclopedia of Fantasy (1997), p. 664. Reginald 10421. Not in Bleiler (1948; 1978).Publisher's one-page advert at rear. Spine sun-faded with indication of removed round library sticker at bottom. Cover somewhat faded and marked. Trimmed edges. Top edge dust-soiled. Library stamps throughout, with blank circulation slip tipped in at rear free endpaper. Small date note on rear pastedown. Otherwise internally bright and free from foxing or any marks. Condition overall: Ex-Library.