The Stone Giant (Novel)
Encyclopedia
The Stone Giant is James Blaylock
’s prequel
to his first published book, The Elfin Ship
, and thus the end (as of 2008) of a loose trilogy of comic fantasy novels including The Disappearing Dwarf
.
Although written some years after the other two novels, the setting once again features a mix of fantasy and steampunk
elements but unlike the others, the protagonist in The Stone Giant is the roguish Theophile Escargot. Few of the characters from the previous novels appear but the antagonist is once again the evil sorcerer Selznak (although referred to as "Uncle Abner" in the story.) The book was first published as an Ace paperback
by Berkley Books
.
The story, a parody of the heroic quest, is set in a world where human beings live alongside elves, goblins, witches, wizards, and other fantastic beings. There Theophile Escargot, a Rip Van Winkle
-like malcontent, has series of comic misadventures while attempting both to impress a pretty barmaid and to revenge himself on an evil dwarf who cheated him out of a bag of marbles
.
); the dwarf first swindles them from the hapless divorcé, then humiliates and terrifies him for laughs.
After obtaining a settlement from his ex-wife, Escargot leaves for the coastal town of Seaside where he hopes to find Leta at the annual Harvest Festival. A series of misadventures leads him to the submarine
of a piratical elf; winding up in sole possession of the vessel Escargot travels through an undersea passage into the land of Balumnia, a sort of siamese-twin world. Escargot's fortunes do not seem to improve as he is rapidly cheated out of money and goods, but he has a surprise encounter with the dwarf and resolves to pursue him. The dwarf attempts to eliminate Escargot but through a combination of persistence and improvisation Escargot survives and learns the dwarf's evil plan: sacrifice Leta and use the marbles to revive the stone giants, ancient enemies of the elves. With the assistance of an eccentric crew of sky-faring elves, Escargot seeks an opportunity to rescue Leta and redeem his many foibles.
, a fantasy inspired by Kenneth Grahame
’s Wind in the Willows, Mark Twain
's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
, The Brownies and the Goblins by Nathaniel Moore Banta, and illustrations by Arthur Rackham
. Submitted for publication circa 1978, the novel was initially rejected by editor Lester Del Rey
and subsequently rewritten and published as The Elfin Ship in 1982. In 1983 a sequel, The Disappearing Dwarf, reunited the characters for a second adventure. Years later Blaylock decided to revisit the scene of the previous works with a darker story to have been titled The Road to Balumnia, but changes were demanded by Judy-Lynn del Rey
, his editor at the time; the result was The Stone Giant.
The Man in the Moon is referred to in The Stone Giant as the first of the "White Mountain books" by "G. Smithers of Brompton Village." In Blaylock's "Balumnia" novels, Smithers is a mysterious author whose apparent fictions contain surprising truths.
James Blaylock
James Paul Blaylock is an American fantasy author.He is noted for a distinctive, humorous style, as well as being one of the pioneers of the steampunk genre of science fiction....
’s prequel
Prequel
A prequel is a work that supplements a previously completed one, and has an earlier time setting.The widely recognized term was a 20th-century neologism, and a portmanteau from pre- and sequel...
to his first published book, The Elfin Ship
The Elfin Ship
The Elfin Ship was James Blaylock’s first published book. It is the first of three fantasies by Blaylock about a world peopled by elves, dwarves, goblins, and normal people, as well as a smattering of wizards, witches, and other fanciful beings. The world has magic well as pseudo-science...
, and thus the end (as of 2008) of a loose trilogy of comic fantasy novels including The Disappearing Dwarf
The Disappearing Dwarf
The Disappearing Dwarf is James Blaylock’s second published book, and the second of the trilogy that started with The Elfin Ship. The characters are mostly drawn from the first book, while the plot revolves around another encounter with the villain Selznak...
.
Although written some years after the other two novels, the setting once again features a mix of fantasy and steampunk
Steampunk
Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s. Steampunk involves a setting where steam power is still widely used—usually Victorian era Britain or "Wild West"-era United...
elements but unlike the others, the protagonist in The Stone Giant is the roguish Theophile Escargot. Few of the characters from the previous novels appear but the antagonist is once again the evil sorcerer Selznak (although referred to as "Uncle Abner" in the story.) The book was first published as an Ace paperback
Ace Books
Ace Books is the oldest active specialty publisher of science fiction and fantasy books. The company was founded in New York City in 1952 by Aaron A. Wyn, and began as a genre publisher of mysteries and westerns...
by Berkley Books
Berkley Books
Berkley Books is an imprint of Penguin Group that began as an independent company in 1955. It was established by Charles Byrne and Frederic Klein, who were working for Avon and formed "Chic News Company". They renamed it Berkley Publishing Co. in 1955. They soon found a niche in science fiction...
.
The story, a parody of the heroic quest, is set in a world where human beings live alongside elves, goblins, witches, wizards, and other fantastic beings. There Theophile Escargot, a Rip Van Winkle
Rip Van Winkle
"Rip Van Winkle" is a short story by the American author Washington Irving published in 1819, as well as the name of the story's fictional protagonist. Written while Irving was living in Birmingham, England, it was part of a collection entitled The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon...
-like malcontent, has series of comic misadventures while attempting both to impress a pretty barmaid and to revenge himself on an evil dwarf who cheated him out of a bag of marbles
Marbles
A marble is a small spherical toy usually made from glass, clay, steel, or agate. These balls vary in size. Most commonly, they are about ½ inch in diameter, but they may range from less than ¼ inch to over 3 inches , while some art glass marbles fordisplay purposes are over 12 inches ...
.
Plot summary
In a fit of pique Escargot eats a pie that his wife had been withholding to bribe him into attending a revival meeting. Unfortunately Stover, the revivalist, is also the local judge and has designs on Escargot's wealthy wife; Escargot winds up homeless and indigent. He becomes infatuated with Leta, Stover's barmaid, and is introduced to a dwarf he believes to be her uncle. Escargot had purchased a bag of odd marbles from a bunjo man (a kind of gypsy/hoboHobo
A hobo is a term which is often applied to a migratory worker or homeless vagabond, often penniless. The term originated in the Western—probably Northwestern—United States during the last decade of the 19th century. Unlike 'tramps', who work only when they are forced to, and 'bums', who do not...
); the dwarf first swindles them from the hapless divorcé, then humiliates and terrifies him for laughs.
After obtaining a settlement from his ex-wife, Escargot leaves for the coastal town of Seaside where he hopes to find Leta at the annual Harvest Festival. A series of misadventures leads him to the submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
of a piratical elf; winding up in sole possession of the vessel Escargot travels through an undersea passage into the land of Balumnia, a sort of siamese-twin world. Escargot's fortunes do not seem to improve as he is rapidly cheated out of money and goods, but he has a surprise encounter with the dwarf and resolves to pursue him. The dwarf attempts to eliminate Escargot but through a combination of persistence and improvisation Escargot survives and learns the dwarf's evil plan: sacrifice Leta and use the marbles to revive the stone giants, ancient enemies of the elves. With the assistance of an eccentric crew of sky-faring elves, Escargot seeks an opportunity to rescue Leta and redeem his many foibles.
Literary Precedents
The first novel Blaylock wrote to completion was The Man in the MoonThe Man in the Moon (book)
The Man in the Moon was James Blaylock’s first completed novel, however it remained unpublished for decades...
, a fantasy inspired by Kenneth Grahame
Kenneth Grahame
Kenneth Grahame was a Scottish writer, most famous for The Wind in the Willows , one of the classics of children's literature. He also wrote The Reluctant Dragon; both books were later adapted into Disney films....
’s Wind in the Willows, Mark Twain
Mark Twain
Samuel Langhorne Clemens , better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American author and humorist...
's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a novel by Mark Twain, first published in England in December 1884 and in the United States in February 1885. Commonly named among the Great American Novels, the work is among the first in major American literature to be written in the vernacular, characterized by...
, The Brownies and the Goblins by Nathaniel Moore Banta, and illustrations by Arthur Rackham
Arthur Rackham
Arthur Rackham was an English book illustrator.-Biography:Rackham was born in London as one of 12 children. At the age of 18, he worked as a clerk at the Westminster Fire Office and began studying part-time at the Lambeth School of Art.In 1892 he left his job and started working for The...
. Submitted for publication circa 1978, the novel was initially rejected by editor Lester Del Rey
Lester del Rey
Lester del Rey was an American science fiction author and editor. Del Rey was the author of many of the Winston Science Fiction juvenile SF series, and the editor at Del Rey Books, the fantasy and science fiction branch of Ballantine Books, along with his fourth wife Judy-Lynn del Rey.-Birth...
and subsequently rewritten and published as The Elfin Ship in 1982. In 1983 a sequel, The Disappearing Dwarf, reunited the characters for a second adventure. Years later Blaylock decided to revisit the scene of the previous works with a darker story to have been titled The Road to Balumnia, but changes were demanded by Judy-Lynn del Rey
Judy-Lynn del Rey
Judy-Lynn del Rey née Benjamin was a science fiction editor.Born with dwarfism, she was a fan and regular attendee at science fiction conventions and worked her way up the publishing ladder, starting with work at the science fiction magazine Galaxy.Judy-Lynn was friends with Lester del Rey and...
, his editor at the time; the result was The Stone Giant.
The Man in the Moon is referred to in The Stone Giant as the first of the "White Mountain books" by "G. Smithers of Brompton Village." In Blaylock's "Balumnia" novels, Smithers is a mysterious author whose apparent fictions contain surprising truths.
Sources
- Great Science-Fiction & Fantasy Works:Light-Hearted Science-Fiction & Fantasy Books http://greatsfandf.com/humorous-books.php
- Science-Fiction and Fantasy Books by James Blaylock http://greatsfandf.com/AUTHORS/JamesBlaylock.php
- Of Steam and Stuff: A Conversation with James P. Blaylock http://www.sybertooth.com/blaylock/intervew.htm