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Title: The Lay of Lirazel
Author: Stephen R. Babb
Narrator: Kate Forbes
Format: Unabridged
Length: 2 hrs and 44 mins
Language: English
Release date: 10-13-14
Publisher: Sound Resources
Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes
Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Epic
Publisher's Summary:
Epic Poetry Meets High Fantasy
An Edenesque garden, a haunted tower, a forest shrouded in twilight wherein dwell Centaurs, Elves and a myriad of creatures fantastic and mysterious; this is the setting in which Babbs "Lirazel" comes to life and where the tragedy of her life must unfold. Her doom is fixed, deadly, unavoidable and all the more tragic because of the choices Lirazel makes as she spurns wisdom for folly in a desperate gamble for love.
In the world of Lirazel there exists an evil; ancient and monstrous, seductive and sorcerous. Its malice is hyper-focused on revenge and the usurpation of power. To satisfy its plots the Princess Lirazel must die. Perhaps then, a powerful relic will be revealed and then claimed by the usurpers. A crown, made for a princess but desired by a treacherous elf-witch and a fallen Knight; for this thing a brutal war must be fought, heroes must die and a maiden be cursed.
The tale of this crown is the story Lirazel will uncover, as will the reader. This is the tale, told as poetry, in which she finds herself enmeshed and ultimately bewitched. The Lay Of Lirazel is narrative poetry told in epic fashion, but it is poetry fully equipped with fangs and enough terror to keep a reader turning pages till the last curse falls and death and doom claim their prize!
Author and scholar Bradley J. Birzer named it "the best poem of the year", and went on to add, "Make no mistake, this is a full-blown, unapologetic lay about kings, queens, and everything that matters in Faerie. Another touch of genius, to be sure."
Members Reviews:
From The Grandest Of Traditions
The Lay of Lirazel is an epic narrative poem in the grand tradition of Tennyson, Dunsany, Morris, and Tolkien. Lirazel is a king's daughter, beloved and cherished, protected by her father from darkness which lies all too close. But Lirazel is not content to remain embowered, she wishes to know and understand her world, to seek out and find love on her own, and to make her own choices. As all parents must, her father accepts his daughter's wish and lets her seek answers to her questions. Her self-discovery is not without pain and danger, and she must ultimately face difficult choices. Fortunately for Lirazel, she chooses well. Fortunately for the rest of us, we have her beautiful tale to inspire and encourage us in making our own choices.
Stephen Babb is the bassist and lyricist for the progressive rock band Glass Hammer. He orginally wrote The Lay of Lirazel as a story line for one of the band's albums, but the origins of the poem come from a much older and deeper tradition. He was inspired by Tennyson's The Lady of Shallot, John Waterhouse's painting of The Lady, and Lord Dunsany's The King of Elfland's Daughter. Deeper still, there is an element of what J.R.R. Tolkien referred to as Faerie within this poem: the act of sub-creation that allows readers "a glimpse of the transcendant."
A Beautiful Tale, Elegantly Told
I first met Lirazel through the concept album The Inconsolable Secret, written and recorded by Stephen R. Babb and his mates in the legendary prog-rock band Glass Hammer. I find it serves as the perfect soundtrack to this enchanting work.
Lirazel's name is fitting, because it conjures the memory of the heroine of The King of Elfland's Daughter, Lord Dunsany's lyrical classic.