Alan Garner - a True British Craftsman
The author, Alan Garner, is not heard of often these days, but his books have stood the test of time as milestones in British writing.
I first read his work as a child and my experiences of Elidor and The Owl Service have coloured my reading habits ever since. I love the way that Alan Garner re-injects the old legends back into modern life. He is deeply connected to the Cheshire landscape in particular and his family have lived in the area for hundreds of years.
Alan Garner Books on Amazon
Alan Garner and Alderley Edge
Alan Garner's work has always been inspired by his local landscape and it's traditions. Two of his books, The Weirdstone of Brisingamen and The Moon of Gomrath are set in Alderley Edge, a stunning area which is now managed by the National Trust and has strong links with Garner's ancestors.
The Edge is rich in legend, and has several wells which date back to pagan times. One of which is named The Wizard's Well and is formed by a natural spring. A face of a wizard is carved above the water together with an inscription "Drink of this and take thy fill for the water falls by the Wizhard's Will" . It is said that the carving was added around 200 years ago by Robert Garner, Alan Garner's great-great grandfather who also built the Druid's Circle on the Edge.
The wizard is also connected to the caves on Alderley Edge and oral tradition tells that Knights still sleep below the Edge, ready to defend Britain if needed. This story is central to the Weirdstone of Brisingamen.
Alan Garner still lives in the area in a medieval timbered manor house named Toad Hall. He is an active local historian.
The Edge is rich in legend, and has several wells which date back to pagan times. One of which is named The Wizard's Well and is formed by a natural spring. A face of a wizard is carved above the water together with an inscription "Drink of this and take thy fill for the water falls by the Wizhard's Will" . It is said that the carving was added around 200 years ago by Robert Garner, Alan Garner's great-great grandfather who also built the Druid's Circle on the Edge.
The wizard is also connected to the caves on Alderley Edge and oral tradition tells that Knights still sleep below the Edge, ready to defend Britain if needed. This story is central to the Weirdstone of Brisingamen.
Alan Garner still lives in the area in a medieval timbered manor house named Toad Hall. He is an active local historian.
Alan Garner at a Glance
Alan Garner OBE (born in Congleton, Cheshire, October 17, 1934) is an English writer whose work is firmly rooted in Cheshire.
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The Owl Service
This was one of the first books that really freaked me out and I was terrified when I found out that there was a TV Series! Nevertheless, it didn't stop my best friend and I watching it religiously every Sunday morning and hiding behind our cushions! You can tell how weird it is from the strange opening sequences that I found on YouTube.
Alison O'Donnell with The Owl Service
Former Mellow Candle vocalist performing "Heaven Heath" with The Owl Service at this year's Leigh Folk Festival.
Runtime: 3:15 | 166 views | 1 Comments
More Information on Alan Garner
- The Unofficial Alan Garner Website
- The unofficial Alan Garner website: award winning Cheshire based writer
- CoopRenner: Meeting Alan and Griselda Garner
- This blog entry is absolutely fascinating. Coop Renner visited Alan and Griselda Garner at their home in July 2007. It was especially interesting to see the Owl Service plate hanging on their kitchen wall!
- Life on the Edge - Observer Interview
- This interview from 1995 again takes place at Toad Hall. Alan Garner discusses his book Strandloper.
- Alan Garner on Fantastic Fiction
- A bibliography of Alan Garner's books, with the latest releases, covers, descriptions and availability.
- Erica Wagner - An Interview with Alan Garner
- An interview for the Times dating from 1999. Here he talks about The Stone Book Quartet.
