''The Bards of Bone Plain'' is a

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving Magic (supernatural), magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy ...

novel A novel is a relatively long work of narrative fiction, typically written in prose and published as a book. The present English word for a long work of prose fiction derives from the for "new", "news", or "short story of something new", itsel ...

Patricia A. McKillip Patricia Anne McKillip (February 29, 1948 – May 6, 2022) was an American author of fantasy and science fiction. She has been called "one of the most accomplished prose stylists in the fantasy genre", and wrote predominantly standalone fantasy n ...

. It was first published in hardcover and ebook by

Ace Books Ace Books is a publisher of science fiction (SF) and fantasy books founded in New York City in 1952 by Aaron A. Wyn. It began as a genre publisher of mysteries and westerns, and soon branched out into other genres, publishing its first scienc ...

in December 2010, with a book club edition issued simultaneously with the Science Fiction Book Club and a trade paperback edition following December 2011. The first British edition was published in ebook by Gateway/Orion in December 2015.

Summary

The book is set in a culture reminiscent of the medieval era, but technologically near-modern, and in which archaeology is also an established profession. Scholar Phelan Cle of the Bardic School at Caerau chooses as his graduate thesis the subject of the perhaps mythical Bone Plain, where all poetry is said to have originated, and the tale of the wandering bard Nairn. Meanwhile, archaeologist Jonah Cle, Phelan's alcoholic father, pursues his own investigations, urged on by his dedicated disciple Princess Beatrice, the king's youngest daughter. At the standing stones near the school is unearthed a strange artifact, a disk marked with ancient runes that may prove key to the mysteries of Bone Plain. Beatrice soon discovers indications of the lost language it represents everywhere. Alternating chapters recount the activities of the Cles and the princess and the legend of Nairn, and gradually the present and past are revealed to mirror each other and ultimately fuse.

Reception

In a

starred review A starred review is a book review __NOTOC__ A book review is a form of literary criticism in which a book is merely described (summary review) or analyzed based on content, style, and merit. A book review may be a primary source, opinion piece ...

, ''Publishers Weekly'' calls the novel "a rich, resonant story of poetry, riddles, mystery, and magic. ... McKillip seduces readers with lyrical prose; intriguing, complex characters; and resonant riddles-within-riddles." Jackie Cassada in ''Library Journal'' also gives the book a starred review, decreeing it a "masterfully told tale by an author sensitive to nuance and detail

hat A hat is a head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorporate mecha ...

will please McKillip's many fans," writing that her "finely tuned feel for the mythic aspects of stories informs her fantasies with the underpinnings of archetypal power, yet her characters remain endearingly human, with recognizable flaws and strengths." Rebecca Gerber in ''Booklist'' writes that " aders already familiar with the author will enjoy a fascinating tale of music and bards, legends and reality, and, most of all—magic. For those exposed to McKillip for the first time, a treasure awaits them in the pages of this story. ... Almost (Thomas) Hardy-ish in the level of description, the author never loses the reader in description for description’s sake. Each element described serves to further the story."Gerber, Rebecca. Review in ''Booklist'' v. 107, iss. 8, Dec. 15, 2010, p. 28. The collection was also reviewed by Paul Di Filippo in ''Barnes & Noble Review'', 2010, and Faren Miller in ''Locus'' no. 600, January 2016.

Awards

The novel was nominated for the 2011 Endeavour Award for Distinguished Novel or Collection and the 2011 Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Adult Literature, and placed sixth in the 2011 Locus Poll Award for Best Fantasy Novel.

Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bards of Bone Plain, The 2010 American novels American fantasy novels Books with cover art by Kinuko Y. Craft Novels by Patricia A. McKillip Ace Books books