Charwoman's Shadow
by Lord Dunsany
About this book
Delightfully imaginative, somewhat similar to Dunsany's blockbuster fantasy novel, The King Of Elfland's Daughter (and published just two years after it), this equally entertaining, verbally voluptuous tale brings us in touch with the heraldry, artistry, and superstitions of the bygone Golden Age of Spain; with the magical arts of ancient times-- alchemy, wizardry, potions, forest creatures that go bump in the night, quests for esoteric knowledge, use of the Philosopher's Stone, and the Catholic church's war against the 'Black Art". Above all, Dunsany explores the many mysterious properties of shadows, and warns what havoc might befall you if you lose yours. Published in 1926. (Summary by Michele Fry)
Chapters (30)
1I. The Lord of the Tower Finds A Career For His Son
2II. Ramon Alonzo Comes to the House in the Wood
3III. The Charwoman Tells of her Loss
4IV. Ramon Alonzo Learns A Mystery Known to the Readers
5V. Ramon Alonzo Learns of the Box
6VI. There is Talk of Gulvarez
7VII. Ramon Alonzo Follows the Art
8VIII. Ramon Alonzo Shares the Idleness of the Maidens of Aragona
9IX. The Technique of Alchemy to the Exposure of the False
10X. The Exposure of the False Shadow
11XI. The Chill of Space
12XII. Mirandola Demands a Love-Potion
13XIII. Ramon Alonzo Compounds the Potion
14XIV. The Folk of Aragona Strike for the Faith
15XV. Ramon Alonzo Talks of Technique and Muddles His Father
16XVI. The Work of Father Joseph
17XVII. The Three Fair Fields
18XVIII. The Love-Potion
19XIX. Father Joseph Explains How the Laity Have No Need of the Pen
20XX. The Magician Imitates A Way of the Gods
21XXI. White Magic Comes to the Wood
22XXII. Ramon Alonzo Crosses a Sword With Magic
23XXIII. The Plan of Ramon Alonzo
24XXIV. Ramon Alonzo Dances With His Shadow
25XXV. The Release of the Shadow
26XXVI. The Wonderful Casting
27XXVII. They Dread That A Witch Has Ridden from the Country Towards Moon's Rising
28XXVIII. Gonsalvo Sings What Had Been the Latest Air From Provence
29XXIX. The Casket of Silver and Oak is Given To Señor Gulvarez
30XXX. The End of the Golden Age
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