Ealdwood Stories
Encyclopedia
The Ealdwood Stories, also known as the Arafel Stories, are a collection of fantasy
works by science fiction
and fantasy author C. J. Cherryh
. The most complete telling of these tales is in Cherryh's 1997 book The Dreaming Tree, although this version of the storyline features several differences from previous publications in the series.
The books are works of High Fantasy
based in part on Celtic mythology
. Arafel, a main character, is a Daoine Sidhe, the highest of the Sidhe faery-folk
. She dwells in the magical small forest of Ealdwood, from which the tales take their name.
Cherryh first introduced readers to the world of Ealdwood in 1979 with her short story "The Dreamstone." In 1981, she published the novellette Ealdwood
, which was nominated for both the World Fantasy Award
and Locus Award
for Best Novella. In 1983, she then published two novels in the series, both of which were nominated for the Locus Award for Best Novel:
An omnibus edition of the two novels entitled Arafel's Saga was also published in 1983 as a Science Fiction Book Club selection. Fourteen years later, Cherryh finally published the 1997 compilation The Dreaming Tree, which included a revised version of both 1983 novels, including a new ending which Cherryh felt was more appropriate and satisfying than her previous efforts.
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
works by science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
and fantasy author C. J. Cherryh
C. J. Cherryh
Carolyn Janice Cherry , better known by the pen name C. J. Cherryh, is a United States science fiction and fantasy author...
. The most complete telling of these tales is in Cherryh's 1997 book The Dreaming Tree, although this version of the storyline features several differences from previous publications in the series.
The books are works of High Fantasy
High fantasy
High fantasy or epic fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that is set in invented or parallel worlds. High fantasy was brought to fruition through the work of authors such as J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, whose major fantasy works were published in the 1950s...
based in part on Celtic mythology
Celtic mythology
Celtic mythology is the mythology of Celtic polytheism, apparently the religion of the Iron Age Celts. Like other Iron Age Europeans, the early Celts maintained a polytheistic mythology and religious structure...
. Arafel, a main character, is a Daoine Sidhe, the highest of the Sidhe faery-folk
Fairy
A fairy is a type of mythical being or legendary creature, a form of spirit, often described as metaphysical, supernatural or preternatural.Fairies resemble various beings of other mythologies, though even folklore that uses the term...
. She dwells in the magical small forest of Ealdwood, from which the tales take their name.
Cherryh first introduced readers to the world of Ealdwood in 1979 with her short story "The Dreamstone." In 1981, she published the novellette Ealdwood
Ealdwood
Ealdwood is a fantasy novella by C. J. Cherryh. It is one of Cherryh's Ealdwood Stories and was first published in 1981 by Donald M. Grant, Publisher, Inc. in a limited edition of 1,050 copies...
, which was nominated for both the World Fantasy Award
World Fantasy Award
The World Fantasy Awards are annual, international awards given to authors and artists who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the field of fantasy...
and Locus Award
Locus Award
The Locus Award is a literary award established in 1971 and presented to winners of Locus magazine's annual readers' poll. Currently, the Locus Awards are presented at an annual banquet...
for Best Novella. In 1983, she then published two novels in the series, both of which were nominated for the Locus Award for Best Novel:
- The Dreamstone, a revised combination of the short story of the same name and Ealdwood; and
- The Tree of Swords and Jewels, a sequel to the previous works in the series.
An omnibus edition of the two novels entitled Arafel's Saga was also published in 1983 as a Science Fiction Book Club selection. Fourteen years later, Cherryh finally published the 1997 compilation The Dreaming Tree, which included a revised version of both 1983 novels, including a new ending which Cherryh felt was more appropriate and satisfying than her previous efforts.