Lud In The Mist

By: Hope Mirrlees 

Published by: Collins

Publication date: 1926

Summary

Lud In The Mist launches the reader into a fantastical world where the population of Lud are exceedingly suspicious and fearful of the otherworldly, hiding in their bubble of normalcy. The book begins with Nathaniel Chanticleer, the town mayor who hears The Note and feels that he is different from others in the town. The story then slowly changes, and develops into a tale of mystery with the illicit import of faerie fruit, the sudden odd behaviour of Nathaniel’s son Ranulph, and the disappearance of the town’s children. Nathaniel must take control, and investigate the town’s events while battling his own doubts and misbeliefs.

The Good

The book takes the reader on an intricate but satisfying adventure to unlock clues while exploring the relationships between the town’s people, and its relationship with the faerie. While many in the book allude to the distasteful experience of being exposed to the faerie, many have not actually had said experience, and those who have been exposed are treated with suspicion by the rest of the town-folk. Nathaniel serves as a character through which author Mirrlees introduces both the reader and the town to the differences which exist in their world.

The Not-So-Good

If you are deciding whether to give this book a go, do not be fazed if you find that the writing takes some getting used to. In the first few chapters, I found the book fairly slow and the context can be hard to follow. However, if you do persist, the book picks up and different elements of the novel come together quite well.

I would also add that as someone who does not often delve into books from the twentieth century, my vocabulary was frequently tested when I came upon this book, so don’t be surprised if you have to stop here and there to work out what some of the words actually mean!

Overall, a relaxing classical novel you can read at your own pace. The book is written differently than modern day novels but this adds to the charm and charisma of the story.

My rating: 3/5