William Morris

This page indexes resources at this site relating to the English artist and writer William Morris. The Earthly Paradise The Earthly Paradise, (March-August) by William Morris [1868] William Morris' epic-length poetry cycle set in the worlds of Classical mythology and the fairytale. The Earthly Paradise, (September-November) by William Morris [1870] This part of Morris' epic includes a lengthly retelling of an incident from the Icelandic Laxdaela Saga, the Lovers of Gudrun, which some consider among Morris' best poetry. The Earthly Paradise, (December-February) by William Morris [1870] The conclusion of Morris' epic work, including the tale of Hercules and the Golden Apples; Aslaug, the daughter of Sigurd and Brynhild; Bellerophon; and two tales of the Goddess Venus. Translations from the Sagas The Story of Grettir the Strong translated by Eirikr Magnusson and William Morris [1869]. The Story of the Volsungs by William Morris and Eirikr Magnusson [1888] includes extracts from the Poetic Edda. Utopian News from Nowhere by William Morris [1891] William Morris' vision of a socialist England. Fantasy novels William Morris was one of the inventors of the modern fantasy novel, quests set in self-contained worlds with Celtic, Icelandic and fairy-tale elements. Morris' mastery of English prose make each and every one of these books a joy to read. The Hollow Land by William Morris [1856] One of William Morris' first fantasy tales, featuring a quest for a realm only half-glimpsed by mortals. The Roots of the Mountains by William Morris [1889] A fantasy novel set in the world of the Icelandic sagas. The House of the Wolfings by William Morris [1889] Morris' fantasy novel set among the ancient Germanic tribes was cited as in influence Tolkien. The Story of the Glittering Plain by William Morris [1891] A quest for a stolen fiance leads us into the utopian Land of the Glittering Plain. The Wood Beyond the World by William Morris [1894] The Wood Beyond the World is one of Morris' masterpieces which he originally published using hand-set type. Child Christopher and Goldilind the Fair by William Morris [1895] Morris' retelling of the medieval Lay of Havelock the Dane, cited as an influence on C.S. Lewis' Prince Caspian. The Well at the World's End by William Morris [1896] A classic journey 'there and back again' to find a well which confers near-imortality. The Water of the Wondrous Isles by William Morris [1897] One of the first fantasy novels with a well-developed female heroine. The Sundering Flood by William Morris [1897] Morris' last fantasy novel, finished on his death-bed.