The Weirdstone of Brisingamen
The Weirdstone of Brisingamen: A Tale of Alderley is a children's fantasy novel by English author Alan Garner. Garner began work on the novel, his literary debut, in 1957, after he moved into the late medieval house, Toad Hall, in Blackden, Cheshire. The story, which took the local legend of The Wizard of the Edge as a partial basis for the novel's plot, was influenced by the folklore and landscape of neighbouring Alderley Edge where he had grown up. Upon completion the book was picked up by Sir William Collins who released it through his publishing company Collins in 1960.
The 1960 first edition of the book.
In 1957, Garner purchased and began renovating Toad Hall in Blackden, Cheshire, where he wrote The Weirdstone.
The special 50th anniversary publication
Alan Garner is an English novelist best known for his children's fantasy novels and his retellings of traditional British folk tales. Much of his work is rooted in the landscape, history and folklore of his native county of Cheshire, North West England, being set in the region and making use of the native Cheshire dialect.
Garner in 2011
In 1957, Garner purchased and began renovating Toad Hall at Blackden, Cheshire
Garner at his home in Blackden, 2011
The Medicine House, an Early Modern building that was moved to Blackden by Garner.
