Eric Rucker Eddison
Biography
Eric Rucker Eddison (1882–1945) was a British author and distinguished civil servant, best known for his high fantasy novel, "The Worm Ouroboros". Born in Leeds, England, Eddison displayed an early fascination with Norse sagas and classical literature, which heavily influenced his later writing. He pursued a career in the Board of Trade, rising to a high position, while concurrently crafting intricate and archaic fantasy worlds. His works are characterized by their epic scope, heroic narratives, and a highly stylized, Elizabethan prose. Eddison is considered a precursor to modern epic fantasy, though his distinctive style often sets him apart from his contemporaries and successors. He continued to write several other fantasy novels and a historical novel before his death.
Selected Thoughts
«For it is a truth which I have come to know, that all a man's life is but a seeking for the answer to the question: What am I?»
«And the gods of Hellas gave me grace to know that joy and sorrow are but two aspects of the same reality, and that only in the fullness of both can life attain its perfect measure.»
«He was one of those rare spirits for whom the world of action was but a dull reflection of the incandescent world of thought and dream.»
Writing Style
Eddison's writing style is characterized by its archaic and elevated language, heavily influenced by Elizabethan English, Old Norse sagas, and classical epic poetry. He employs rich, formal vocabulary and complex sentence structures to create a grand, stately tone. His narratives are epic in scope, focusing on heroic deeds, cosmic conflicts, and detailed world-building, often with a detached, omniscient narrator. The style is dense and ornate, demanding a dedicated reader.