Wizard of the Pigeons
.jpg) First edition cover | |
| Author | Megan Lindholm |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Robert Gould |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Urban fantasy |
| Publisher | Ace Books |
Publication date | 28 January 1986 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Pages | 214 |
| ISBN | 0-441-89467-4 |
| OCLC | 14054439 |
Wizard of the Pigeons is a 1985 urban fantasy novel set in Seattle by Megan Lindholm, issued as a paperback original by Ace Books and reprinted in hardcover by Hypatia Press in 1994. Several UK editions have also been published. The book deals delicately with many serious topics such as homelessness, poverty, and mental illness, asking more questions than it answers.
The novel is often classified as modern Arthurian fantasy, with the title character identified with Merlin Ambrosius.[1] This book is also categorized as Urban Fantasy.[2] Roger Zelazny called it "terrific".
Plot
The plot focuses on the homeless character 'Wizard' and his battle with a malignant force from his forgotten past.[3] In order to survive, Wizard must rely on his powerful gift of 'Knowing'. This allows him to know the truth of things, to receive fortunes and to reveal to people the answers to their troubles. Aiding him in his battle for survival is the enigmatic 'Cassie' and several other people from the streets.
Reception
Orson Scott Card praised the novel as "miraculously good" (although he faulted the ending); he described it as "so real, so original, you won't regret buying it and reading it."[4]
References
- ^ Ann F. Howey & Stephen Ray Reimer, A Bibliography of Modern Arthurian Fantasy, Boydell & Brewer Ltd., 2006, p.235
- ^ Walton, Jo. "Homeless and Magical: Megan Lindholm's Wizard of the Pigeons". Tor.com. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
- ^ Carroll, Siobhan (Fall 2012). "Imagined Nation: place and national identity in Neil Gaiman's American Gods". Extrapolation. 53 (3): 307–326. doi:10.3828/extr.2012.17.
- ^ "The Light Fantastic", If, September 1986, p.26
External links
- Wizard of the Pigeons title listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
- Wizard of the Pigeons at the Internet Book List
 | This article about a 1980s fantasy novel is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. See guidelines for writing about novels. Further suggestions might be found on the article's talk page. |