Shy Leopardess
 First edition | |
| Author | Leslie Barringer |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Jack Matthew |
| Language | English |
| Series | Neustrian Cycle |
| Genre | Historical fantasy |
| Publisher | Methuen and Co. Ltd. |
Publication date | 1948 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Media type | Print (Hardback) |
| Pages | vii, 392 pp |
| Preceded by | Joris of the Rock(1928) |
| Followed by | none |
Shy Leopardessis afantasynovel byLeslie Barringer,the third and last book in his three volumeNeustrian Cycle.The book was first published in the United Kingdom byMethuenin 1948. Its significance was recognized by its republication in the United States by theNewcastle Publishing Companyas the thirteenth volume of theNewcastle Forgotten Fantasy Libraryseries in October, 1977. The Newcastle edition was reprinted byBorgo Pressin 1980.
Plot
[edit]The novel is set around the 14th century in an alternatemedievalFrance calledNeustria(historically an early division of theFrankish kingdom). Yolande, whose estate has been wrested from her by her forced marriage to the depraved Balthasar, schemes to recover her independence with the aid of her admirers, Diomede and Lioncel.
Contents
[edit]Chapter headings of the 1948 edition:
- Encounters at Parledin.
- Azo's way.
- Roclatour and Sanctlamine.
- A silver shield and a grey kitten.
- Balthasar's way.
- Jehane's way.
- The way of Dom Ursus Campestris.
- Belphegor's way.
- The secret servants of Yolande.
- Passing bells at Roclatour.
- Fruit of thunder.
- Belphagor's way again.
- "My Diomede, my Lioncel".
- Yolande's way.
- A queen from the east.
Reception
[edit]John Clute,in his evaluation of the Neustrian Cycle, notes that "Of the three protagonists, Yolande of Baraine – the Shy Leopardess of the third novel – is perhaps the most interesting, as she successfully gambles her life (her" virtue "does not last the course) to gain autonomy in a male-dominated world."[1]
Lin Cartercited the first American edition of 1977 from Newcastle, as one of that year's best fantasy books.[2]
Notes
[edit]- ^Clute, John. "Barringer, Leslie." in Clute, John and Grant, John.The Encyclopedia of Fantasy.London, Orbit, 1997, page 11.
- ^Carter, Lin.The Year's Best Fantasy Stories: 4.DAW Books, 1978, page 206.
References
[edit]- Shy Leopardesstitle listing at theInternet Speculative Fiction Database
- Reginald, Robert.Xenograffiti: essays on fantastic literature.(2005 second edition), I. O. Evans Studies in the Philosophy and Criticism of Literature, number 33 Borgo Press ISSN 0271-9061[1]
- De Camp, L. Sprague.Literary Swordsmen and Sorcerers: the Makers of Heroic Fantasy.Arkham House, 1976.[2]
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