Merlin’s Mirror

~ A Novel by Andre Norton

 

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

 

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)

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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
  

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Non-English Editions ~

• (1983) Published in Paris, France; by Oswald, PB, 27-304-0213-6, 200pg ~ translation by François Truchaud ~ cover by Jean-Michel Nicollet ~ French Title Le Miroir de Merlin

• (1984) Published in Rastatt, Germany; in Pabel, 38-118-3801-6, TB 1, 160pg ~ translation by Lore Staßl ~ German title Merlins Spiegel

• (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]
  

• (1992) Combined with "Catseye" and "Star Guard" ~ Published by Enthalpy, 5-886-02002-0, 416pg ~ Russian title Кошачьим взглядом. Звездная стража. Зеркало Мерлина

• (1992) Combined with "Wraiths of Time" and "Garan the Eternal" ~ Published in Novosibirsk by Timur, 5-766-40904-4, HC, 480pg ~ Russian title Зеркало Мерлина [Merlin's Mirror]

• (1993) Combined with "No Night Without Stars" ~ Published in Zelenograd, by Zelenogradskaya books and Angarsk, by Amber, 5-863-14014-3, HC, 352pg ~ translation Dmitry Arseniev ~ Russian title Нет ночи без звезд [No Night Without Stars]

• (1993) Combined with "The Weapon Shops of Isher" by A. E. van Vogt and "The Weapon Makers" by A. E. van Vogt ~ Published in Chisinau, by AxulZ, 5-885-68258-5, HC, 400pg ~ Russian title Оружейные магазины Ишера. Оружейники. Зеркало Мерлина

• (1993) Combined with "Yurth Burden", "The Crossroads of Time", "Quest Crosstime" and "Operation Time Search" ~ Published in Chisinau, by EYA, 5-868-92068-6, HC, 608pg ~ cover by V. Kirchev ~ Russian title Зеркало Мерлина [Merlin's Mirror]

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

• (2004) Combined with "Wraiths of Time" ~ Published in Moscow, by Eksmo, 5-699-05022-1, HC, 384pg ~ translation by Oleg Kolesnikov and Dmitry Arseniev ~ Cover by Michael Whelan ~ Russian title Духи времени [Wraiths of Time]

• (2015) Combined with “Garan the Eternal”, “Here Abide Monsters”, “Huon of the Horn” & “Knave of Dreams”, Published in Moscow by Eksmo, 9785699844630, HC, 800pgs ~ “Garan the Eternal”, “Here Abide Monsters” & “Huon of the Horn” translation by A. Kolesnikov and Vladimir Sergeyev, “Knave of Dreams” & “Merlin’s Mirror” translation by D. Arseniev ~ cover art by A. Dubovik ~ series: All Norton ~ Russian title Гаран вечный [Garan the Eternal]

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View the Original contract

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