Merlin’s Mirror

~ A Novel by Andre Norton

merlins mirror 1975 uy1175

 

Synopsis ~

Write-up from the back of paperback edition ~

In this great science fiction novel, Andre Norton brings to new life the legendary King Arthur and the wizard Merlin in the light of modern knowledge of a lost period of history and today’s understanding of science and interplanetary communication. Yet, as in all Norton’s wonder novels, this is a fabulous adventure in fantasy. Here is Merlin, half star-born, gifted with the advice of an alien intelligence, given the task of renewing civilization and starting humanity again up the ladder to the stars. Here is Arthur, unaware of his stellar heritage. And here too, is the Lady of the Lake, akin to Merlin in that she is also a listener to the music of the spheres and obedient to a celestial command post.

 

Write-up from a fan ~

This one was deceiving to my memory. For many years, I have thought that this was a YA/ Juvenile title. Wrong!! This is one of her stand-alone SF/Fantasy adventures aimed at an adult audience. Earth was home to a very advanced civilization which fell eons ago after colonizing the galaxy. Many years later they sent teaching machines to help the barbaric tribes back on the road to advanced civilization. There were others who did not want humanity to rise again. The "Dark Ones" had fought a long bitter war against the Terrans and tried to block the "Sky Men" from their re-education efforts. Young Myrddin, half breed Human/Sky Man finds the teaching equipment with a talking mirror that names him Merlin and instructs him in the ways of magic and sets him to two tasks. First----- set up a beacon to bring the Sky Men back to Earth. Second----Raise and educate a King to peacefully rule a united Britain and prepare it for the coming of the Sky Men. BUT---The Dark Ones have their own agent to block Merlin' effort--Nimue also called the Lady of The Lake. A very intriguing treatment of the Arthur/ Merlin legends. A lot shorter than the T.H. White version. I do like the SF/Fantasy mix which keeps things lively. ~ PG

 

Reviews ~

Various reviews ~ For more info and other listings see Articles Over the Years

1975 in Publishers Weekly, May 12
1975 by Judy Rosenbaum in The Science Fiction Review Monthly #4 (fnz), June
1975 by E. Sisco in Kliatt Young Adult Paperback Book Guide, November
1975 by M. Bradley in Universe #6, November/December
1976 by Spider Robinson in Galaxy, February
1976 by Charles N. Brown in Locus #185 (fnz) February 29
1976 by B. Fredstrom in Luna Monthly #65 (fnz), Fall
1977 by Brian Stableford in Vector Reviews Supplement #1 (fnz), February
1984 by Dominique Warfa in Fiction, #349, (France)
2021 by Judith Tarr

 

Bibliography of English Editions ~

  • (1975) Published by DAW, PB, 0-879-97175-4, # UY1175, $1.25, 205pg ~ 6th printing #97340-4, UW1340, 1977, $1.50, 205pg ~ 7th printing #97641-1, UE1641, 1981, $2.25, 205pg ~ covers by Jack Gaughan ~ 8th printing #77052-1, UE2052, 1985, $2.95, 205pg ~ 9th printing #77245-1, UY2245, 1987, $2.95, 205pg ~ covers by José Segrelles
  • (1976) Published by Sidgwick & Jackson, HC, 0-283-98328-0, £3.95, 208pg ~ UK printing ~ cover by David Hardy {Blue Paper Boards}
  • Science Fiction Special # 27 (1978), Published by Sidgwick & Jackson, HC, 0-283-98469-4, £6.95, 157+196+205pg ~ UK printing ~ Boxed Anthology containing The Lion Game by James H. Schmitz, The Universe Maker; and The Proxy Intelligence by A. E. van Vogt & Merlin’s Mirror
  • (2012) Published by Premier Digital Publishing, eISBN 978-1-937957-44-5, DM, $3.99, 202pg ~ cover by Kib Prestridge
  • (2014) Published by Open Road Media, eISBN 978-1-497656-42-0, DM, $3.99, 202pg ~ cover by Kib Prestridge

 

Non-English Editions ~

  • (1983) Published in Paris, France; by Oswald, PB, 27-304-0213-6, 29.00 fr, 200pg ~ translation by François Truchaud ~ cover by Jean-Michel Nicollet ~ French Title Le Miroir de Merlin [Merlin's Mirror]
  • (1984) Published in Rastatt, Germany; in Pabel, 38-118-3801-6, TB 1, 160pg ~ translation by Lore Staßl ~ German title Merlins Spiegel [Merlin's mirror]
  • (1994) Published in Poland; by Zysk i S-ka, 83-862-1181-4, 224pg ~ translation by Dorota Dziewońska ~ cover by Agentur Luserke ~ Polish title Zwierciadło Merlina [The Mirror of Merlin]

 

Russian Omnibus Editions ~

  • (1992)-1 Published in Novosibirsk by Timur, 5-766-40904-4, HC, 480pg ~ cover of A. Zaplavny ~ Russian title Зеркало Мерлина [Merlin's Mirror]

Contains:

    • "Merlin's Mirror" ~ pp. 4-165
    • "Wraiths of Time" as "The Spirits of Time" ~ pp. 166-359
    • "Garan the Eternal" as "The Eternal Garan" ~ pp. 360-477

 

  • (1993)-1 Published in Chisinau, Moldova by EYA, 5-85268-053-3, HC, 608pg ~ cover by V. Kirchev ~ Russian title Зеркало Мерлина [Merlin's Mirror]

Contains:

    • "Merlin's Mirror" ~ pp. 3-137
    • "Yurth Burden" as "The Burden of the Yurts" ~ pp. 138-221
    • "Wraiths of Time" as "At the crossroads of time" ~ pp. 222-350
    • "Quest Crosstime" as "Search at the Crossroads of Time" ~ pp. 351-465
    • "Operation Time Search" ~ pp. 466-605

 

  • (1993)-2 Published in Zelenograd, by Zelenogradskaya books and Angarsk, by Amber, 5-863-14014-3, HC, 352pg ~ Russian title Нет ночи без звезд [No night without stars]

Contains:

    • "Merlin's Mirror" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 3-180
    • "No Night Without Stars" as "There is no night without stars" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 181-349

 

  • (1993)-3 Published in Chisinau, Moldova by AxulZ, 5-885-68258-5, HC, 400pg ~ cover by S. Bucur ~ Russian title Оружейные магазины Ишера. Оружейники. Зеркало Мерлина [Weapons of Isher. Gunsmiths. Merlin's Mirror]

Contains:

    • "The Weapon Shops of Isher" by Alfred Van Vogt as "Isher's Gun Shops" ~ pp. 3-96
    • "The Weapons Makers" by Alfred Van Vogt as "The Gunsmiths" ~ pp. 97-239
    • "Merlin's Mirror" ~ pp. 240-398

 

  • (1994) Published in Tashkent, Uzbekistan by Pravda Vostoka, 5-855-83001-2, HC, 480pg ~ Russian title Звездная стража. Звездные бродяги. Зеркало Мерлина [Star Guard. Star tramps. Merlin's Mirror]

Contains:

    • "Star Guard"
    • "Merlin's Mirror"

 

  • (2004) Published in Moscow, by Eksmo, 5-699-05022-1, HC, 384pg ~ Cover by Michael Whelan ~ Russian title Духи времени [Spirits of time]

Contains:

    • "Wraiths of Time" as "The Spirits of Time" ~ translation by O. Kolesnikov & D. Arseniev, pp. 5-210
    • "Merlin's Mirror" ~ translation by O. Kolesnikov & D. Arseniev, pp. 211-381

 

  • (2015) Published in Moscow by Eksmo, 9785699844630, HC, 800pgs ~ cover art by A. Dubovik ~ Russian title Гаран вечный [Eternal Garan]

Contains:

    • "Garan the Eternal" as "Eternal Garan" ~ translation by O. Kolesnikov & V. Sergeyev, pp. 5-122
    • "Here Abide Monsters" as "Monsters are found here" ~ translation by O. Kolesnikov & V. Sergeyev, pp. 123-340
    • "Huon of the Horn" as "The Horn of Yuon" ~ translation by O. Kolesnikov & V. Sergeyev, pp. 341-456
    • "Knave of Dreams" as "The Knight of Dreams" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 457-638
    • "Merlin's Mirror" ~ translation by O. Kolesnikov & D. Arseniev, pp. 639-797

 

Ukrainian Omnibus Editions ~

  • (1992)-2 Published in Kyiv, Ukraine, by Enthalpy, & Moscow, by Pilgrim, 5-886-02002-0, 416pg ~ Ukrainian title Кошачьим взглядом. Звездная стража. Зеркало Мерлина [Cat's eye. Star Guard. Merlin's mirror]

Contains:

    • "Catseye" as "The Cat's Eye" ~ pp. 3-116
    • "Star Guard" ~ pp. 117-260
    • "Merlin's Mirror" ~ pp. 261-414

View the Original contract

For information on editions currently available visit the Book Store

View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://www.andre-norton.com/works-of-a-master/long-works-of-a-master/422-merlin-s-mirror#sigProId1f675bf90a

 

 

Open menu