 The Fourth Book of JorkensArkham HouseFirst Printing, 1948; edition of 3000 copiesHardcover; 194 pp.Cover art by Ronald ClyneThe first American printing of Dunsany's fourth collection of stories about the exploits of Joseph Jorkens.
 The King of Elfland's DaughterBallantine Books Adult Fantasy Series
First Printing, June 1969Paperback; 242 pp.Introduction by Lin CarterCover art by Bob PepperReprint of Dunsany's second novel, first published in 1924.
 At the Edge of the WorldBallantine Books Adult Fantasy Series
First Printing, March 1970Paperback; 238 pp.Introduction by Lin CarterCover art by Ray CruzA collection of stories reprinted from various collections.
 DON RODRIGUEZ: CHRONICLES OF SHADOW VALLEYBallantine Books Adult Fantasy Series
First Printing, May 1971Paperback; 274 pp.Introduction by Lin CarterCover art by Bob PepperReprint of Dunsany's first novel, first published in 1922.
 BEYOND THE FIELDS WE KNOWBallantine Books Adult Fantasy Series
First Printing, May 1972Paperback; 299 pp.Introduction by Lin CarterCover art by Gervasio GallardoA collection of stories reprinted from various collections.
 THE CHARWOMAN'S SHADOWBallantine Books Adult Fantasy Series
First Printing, February 1973Paperback; 213 pp.Introduction by Lin CarterCover art by Gervasio GallardoReprint of Dunsany's third novel, first published in 1926; the second installment in the Chronicles of Shadow Valley.
 OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAYBallantine Books Adult Fantasy Series
First Printing, April 1974Paperback; 234 pp.Introduction by Lin CarterCover art by Gervasio GallardoA collection of stories reprinted from various collections.
 TALES OF THREE HEMISPHERESOwlswick Press
First Printing, 1976Hardcover; 140 pp.Cover art and illustrations by Tim KirkReprint of Dunsany's eighth short story collection, first published in 1919.
 A DREAMER'S TALESOwlswick Press
First Printing, 1979Hardcover; 158 pp.Cover art and illustrations by Tim KirkReprint of Dunsany's fourth short story collection, first published in 1910.
 THE GHOSTS OF THE HEAVISIDE LAYER AND OTHER FANTASMSOwlswick Press
First Printing, 1980Hardcover; 352 pp.Cover art and illustrations by Tim KirkA collection of stories, essays, and plays never before published in hardcover.
 THE COMPLETE PEGANAChaosium
First Printing, 1998Paperback; 239 pp.Cover art by H.E. FasslA collection comprised of all of Dunsany's Pegana stories, including those in The Gods of Pegana and Time and the Gods, plus three stories from Tales of Three Hemispheres.
 THE GODS OF PEGANAWildside Press
Hardcover; 107 pp.Cover art and illustrations by Sidney H. SimeA reprint of Dunsany's first short story collection, first published in 1905.
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 TIME AND THE GODSWildside Press
Hardcover; 119 pp.Cover art and illustrations by Sidney H. SimeA reprint of Dunsany's second short story collection, first published in 1906.
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 THE BOOK OF WONDERWildside Press
Hardcover; 116 pp.Cover art and illustrations by Sidney H. SimeA reprint of Dunsany's fifth short story collection, first published in 1912.
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 FIFTY-ONE TALESWildside Press
Hardcover; 107 pp.Cover art and illustrations by Sidney H. SimeA reprint of Dunsany's sixth short story collection, first published in 1915.
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 THE COLLECTED JORKENS (3-volume set)Night Shade Books
First Printing, 2004-05
Hardcover; 1059 pp.Cover art and illustrations by Sidney H. SimeAll of Dunsany's Jorken stories, including several previously unpublished stories, in three matching volumes.
 THE PLEASURES OF A FUTUROSCOPEHippocampus Press
First Printing, 2003
Hardcover; 200 pp.Cover art by Jeff RemmerA reprint of Dunsany's fifth short story collection, first published in 1912.
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One of the best and most influential fantasists who ever put pen to paper was the writer known as Lord Dunsany. If you have spent any time on this site, you won't be surprised to learn that my first exposure to Dunsany's work came by way of the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series and editor Lin Carter, since this is where I acquired much of my early education in classic fantasy literature. 
Lord Dunsany |
It was Dunsany's novels that I read first, most notably The King of Elfland's Daughter, perhaps his finest work. Only later did I experience the numerous short stories that served as the foundation for much of his fame.
Writers as diverse as H.P. Lovecraft, Ursula K. Le Guin, and Arthur Clarke have noted Dunsany as influences on their own work, and many, including Lovecraft, have praised him above all others. Reading his stories, it is easy to see why he is regarded so highly by so many. This is especially true of his early short story collections, in which he adopts a biblical prose style to describe a wholly invented universe complete with its own mythology and pantheon of gods. The dream-like quality of both his language and his story settings have rarely been matched, although many writers have tried. Read his often praised and emulated story Idle Days on the Yann, perhaps his most famous single work, and see if you don't agree.
If you are not yet familiar with the work of Lord Dunsany, I encourage you to seek it out immediately. Fortunately, most of his stories, novels, and plays (yes, he was also a playwright) are in print and available in a variety of editions, including titles from Night Shade Books and Wildside Press, among others - visit The Attic for links to both publishers.
- Doc, March 2007
A Brief Bio of Lord Dunsany
Lord Dunsany was born Edward John Moreton Drax Plunkett, the 18th Baron Dunsany, in 1878 in London, England. The son of John William Plunkett, the 17th Baron Dunsany, he was raised in both southern England and at Castle Dunsany in eastern Ireland. Educated in England, he inherited his title upon the death of his father in 1899, and in 1901 he moved back to Castle Dunsany, where he resided until his death in 1957.
In 1904, he married Beatrice Child-Villiers. Their son, Randal, the 19th Lord Dunsany, was born in 1906, one year after the publication of his first book, The Gods of Pegana. This was followed by Time and the Gods (1906), The Sword of Welleran (1908), A Dreamer's Tales (1910), and The Book of Wonder (1912). More fantastic tales followed, but by 1919, when Tales of Three Hemispheres was published, Dunsany had begun to switch literary gears. He began writing novels and plays, and when he returned to the short story form, it was usually to chronicle the adventures of his famous character Joseph Jorkens. He continued to write until his death, leaving behind one of the greatest legacies in all of fantastic literature.
- Doc, March 2007
More Information on Lord Dunsany
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