EXPECTING SOMEONE TALLER

by Tom Holt ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 18, 1988

More or less a string of comic set-pieces, ranging from the amusing to the improbable and worse, that set out to update Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen via one Malcolm Fisher, mild-mannered present-day resident of Somerset, England, who stumbles on the ancient dwarf Alberich's magic ring and discovers that he is (believe it or not) the proper man to be ruler of the world. Timid Malcolm, driving along a dark road one night meditating on his failures with women, accidentally runs over a badger who, identifying himself as the medieval giant Ingolf, tells Malcolm: ""I was expecting someone taller,"" then hands over the magic ring and a magic hat called the Tarnhelm and dies. Malcolm, no Wagner fan, takes the ring and cap home and spends a couple of days fumbling with the strange powers they confer, including the ability to change shape (he decides to look like Siegfried), change location, summon showers of medieval gold, and cause instant harmony or discord throughout the world. Soon, however, his leisure is intruded on; scores of ancient Nords, Valkyries, river goddesses, dwarfs and gods of destruction, having learned from a couple of craven ravens where he is, descend on Somerset and scheme and plot to steal the ring from him. But in the end, all the gods and demi-gods come to see that placid Malcolm makes a pretty satisfying ring-bearer (at least compared to Wotan, who wants to inaugurate a new Dark Age on earth): and when the Rhine goddess Flotthilde (who's fallen in love with Malcolm's modesty) demonstrates that Malcolm--surprise!--is the last direct descendant of Siegfried, the heroic Volgunde ring-bearer--well, that puts the, um, cap on Malcolm's reign. Peace is come to earth. Froth for Wagner fans. Elective for all others.

Pub Date: March 18, 1988

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: St. Martin's

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1988

Categories: FICTION