Gate of Ivory, Gate of Horn (Mythago 6) [Paperback]

Robert Holdstock (Author)

Book Description

Series: Mythago 6 | Publication Date: August 5, 2002

A must for all readers of Holdstock - the story that precedes MYTHAGO WOOD This novel tells the story which precedes MYTHAGO WOOD. Steven Huxley's father, George, and brother, Christian, are the protagonists, and George's discovery of the primeval woodland which holds the "mythagos" - figures from myth, legend or dream - is detailed. Christian's introduction to the wood is fasciantingly drawn and in many ways this is the most fantastical of the entire series.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

Another of Holdstock's Mythago Wood series (The Hollowing, 1994, etc.) about a primeval woodland where space and time are distorted and where ``mythagos,'' figures from myth, legend, or dream, become real. Chronologically, this entry comes first in the series, and tells the story of George Huxley, his adult son, Christian, and their mutual obsession with the mythago Guiwenneth, the beautiful red-haired warrior princess from pre-Roman times. Chris's mother, Jennifer, crushed by the whole business, hangs herself from an oak tree after the Arthurian champion Kylhuk emerges from the woods to mark young Chris as his ``slathan,'' a mysterious term not explicated until much later. When Chris returns from WW II, he, like his father, enters the wood in pursuit of Guiwenneth and finds himself bound to Kylhuk's warriors, who must fight the evil sons of Kyrdu over the fate of another hero, Mabon, entombed alive inside a giant tree. Holdstock's figures, from the Welsh Mabinogion, Irish and British myth, are recognizably human despite their mythic origins and magical surroundings. Holdstock's remarkable creation, drawing skillfully upon such rich, resonant background material, exerts an endless fascination. -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Robert Holdstock is the winner of the World Fantasy Award for his classic fantasy novel MYTHAGO WOOD. He is regarded as one of the 20th century's leading writers of myth and fantasy, and has written novels for over twenty years, including the MYTHAGO sequence, the novel of John Boorman's film, THE EMERALD FOREST and THE FETCH. Robert Holdstock was born in Kent, and lives in North London.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Earthlight (August 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743440803
• ISBN-13: 978-0743440806
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,831,798 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A haunting and moving fantasy, January 4, 2000

By 

Cartimand (Hampshire, UK.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gate of Ivory, Gate of Horn (Mythago Wood) (Hardcover)

Holdstock's latest welcome addition to the Mythago series is, chronologically-speaking, a prequel, focusing chiefly on George Huxley's (possibly) ill-fated son Christian. Gate of Ivory stands up very well however as a complete story in its own right and would be an excellent gate of entry for any lovers of heroic fantasy to pass through, who have yet to sample the delights and terrors of Ryhope Wood.

Intertwined around the principal saga, which concerns Christian's quest to exorcise the dreadful memories of his mother's suicide, are numerous enthralling sub-plots, each containing echoes of half-remembered legends, which grab the reader at a visceral level. Anyone who has ever loved will feel a pang of recognition with Christian's pursuit of Guiwenneth and the parallel myths that draw Issabeau and Someone together have a lot to tell us about finding ones soul-mate. Holdstock tells us much about the true nature of friendship and respect and also makes us taste the bitterness of irrevocable loss. To compliment the profundity however, there is also much levity. Gate of Ivory contains probably more humourous tableaux than any other Mythago novel; Kylhuk's diet, Christian's unwise mocking of Gwyr and his "recognition" of Anambioros Son of Oisingeteros form amusing counterpoints to the grim events that surround them.

Fundamentally, Gate of Ivory is also a rattling good adventure story with swords and sorcery aplenty and heroic journeys through some very strange lands and with equally strange travelling companions.

I wholeheartedly recommend this novel to all lovers of fantasy.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This really changed my way of looking on the world..., September 14, 2001

By 

axel (Roskilde, DK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gate of Ivory, Gate of Horn (Mythago Wood) (Hardcover)

...which really few books do, only George R R Martin and Robin Hobb has done this before, but to be guided through the Mythago Wood by strange characters and great stories, was a real treat, so I won't spoil anything for anybody by telling you what its all about and such :)

If you enjoy Robert Holdstock, you won't be dissapointed, trust me and if you like twisted dreamlike ideas and is a fan of the ways of the mind, then don't miss this.

Enjoy it!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars His best work since Mythago Wood, June 22, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Gate of Ivory, Gate of Horn (Mythago Cycle) (Paperback)

WOW...is all I have to say after reading Gate of Ivory, Gate of Horn. Unlike his other efforts since Mythago Wood itself, this book provided that same stomach-knotting pleasure-pain climax that the original possessed. I highly recommend it.
That's not to say it's perfect. I found Christian's exploits with Legion a bit boring, frankly. Also, Holdstock has taken Ryhope Wood to its most extreme yet in terms of time-space distortion. It got a little confusing.
But Holdstock has succeeded immeasurably in his "Sympathy for the Devil" look at Christian. For those who wondered how he became the monster he did in Mythago Wood, here is your answer, beautifully wrought. The phrase "the road to Hell is paved with good intentions" could have been made to describe the ending of this book. Christian did everything right (he even chose the right gate!), but could not escape his destiny, and in the end just accepted it.
The final chapters and coda of Gate of Ivory, Gate of Horn are well worth every long-in-the-tooth saga of Legion's exploits. The ending makes the reader think, wonder, feel sorry for Christian AND Guiwinneth, and wonder where in the very circular timeline of events could Christian have changed his fate. Also you realize that Steven had the deck stacked in his favor before HIS tale even began. Which leads the reader to re-ponder Mythago Wood, and so the circle continues. The great timeless mythic quality that Lavondyss, among others, lacked is here in droves.
In short, Gate of Ivory, Gate of Horn, while not quite as outstanding as Mythago Wood (which I consider the best fantasy work, EVER - makes Tolkien look like an amateur) is really close. Read it.