Customer Reviews

Lavondyss: Journey to an Unknown Region

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No, it's not Mythago Wood. It's significantly better! And one of my all time favorite books. First of all, it's much subtler and deeper than MW. With this novel you can feel that Holdstock finally understands exactly what the world he created in Mythago Wood was truly all about, it's full mystery and nature. MW was a broad brushstroke and cimematic; more like a Hollywood movie, or a pint of strong beer. Lavondyss is the intimate details, refined, full bodied and aged, like a great wine. Both books are excellent, but require different palates to be appreciated.

Without a doubt this is Robert Holdstock's finest work, even surpassing the superb Mythago Wood. For some people, Lavondyss DOES require more determination to get the most out of it, but if you have an open mind and good imagination then you'll revel in this work of art. It's marvellous - I can't recommend it highly enough.

This book is not for the faint of heart, nor for the impatient. It delves far deeper than Mythago Wood and to compare the two is useless. Mythago Wood was short, enjoyable, but fell short, lacking the substance of Lavondyss. Lavondyss is eerie, intricate and dizzying at times, and I feel it requires more than one reading to grasp all the delightful nuances. This is not your regular fare of fantasy, but a far more intelligent read.

After reading Mythago Wood, I really got into this 2nd novel, but after a bout halfway through it, found it mired in non-movement.

The story did not progress as fast as Mythago Wood, and I can see why people didn't like it as much. I found myself inthralled at the writing, which is excellent by the way, but at mid-way, found myself growing bored with no progression in the storyline.

I liked the overall dreamy feel and quality of this finely written novel, but I wanted more action and adventure like in the 1st one. Tallis, along with some of the other mythago characters, are quite interesting to read about, but after a while, I felt like I was being force fed muddied dreams. This is one of the few rare books or movie that gave me weird dreams, due to the strange imagery and wording, I suppose.

I think the next novel, The Hollowing, is much better than this one. It has a much faster pace and I only have 60 pages left to read of it before I'm through. I already like the pacing and more adventurous feel to this one. It is much more like Mythago Wood. Still in all, this author is well worth the try.

Although part of a trilogy this book can be read as a stand-alone.
Robert Holdstock does a great job. if you are interested in mythology,
both with major and lesser known figures you will like this.

What happens deep in the woods? See what happens when a modern man walks
the forest path and finds all the myths we've created and forgotten still
may reside there.

You should probably read "Mythago Wood" first, though "Lavondyss" could probably stand on its own. If you're thinking about getting "Lavondyss," let me first warn you that you are going to go deep, deep, deep into woods with this book. And it is a terrifying place...

Holdstock went deep into the unconscious with this book. In my opinion he sucked the very marrow from the bones of fantasy. He found the roots of myth and showed you the horror behind its veil like no other author could.

When you journey to Lavondyss to discover what's at the heart of Ryhope Wood, you will be forever changed. I cried like a newborn at the sheer horror and all-too-human pain that Holdstock uncovers.

No, it is not like Mithago Wood. Cenrtainly there is The Ryhope Wood, but not Guiweneth, Urskumug, Steven, etc.
Another story in the Mithago Wood, but diferent characters. Boring story, not like the first.