
LONDON: GEORGE ALLEN & UNWIN LTD. - RUSKIN HOUSE 40 MUSEUM STREET, W.C. - 1915
DEDICATION - To - J.N. MAVROGORDATO
THE KING OF ALSANDER - BY - JAMES ELROY FLECKER
PREFACE
THE KING OF ALSANDER
CHAPTER I - BLAINDON
CHAPTER II - ALSANDER
CHAPTER III - EN PENSION IN ALSANDER
CHAPTER IV - INTRODUCING A GOOD BEGGAR AND A BAD KING
CHAPTER V - OF THE KNIGHTING OF NORMAN PRICE
The story opens in the sleepy English hamlet of Blaindon, a place of gentle hills, thatched roofs and a lingering sense of pastoral peace. A dead poet’s modest verses echo through the fields, setting a tone that balances romantic yearning with a wry awareness of the world’s harsher edges. From this tranquil backdrop the narrative drifts toward the exotic kingdom of Alsander, promising a contrast of sunshine and intrigue.
In Alsander a motley cast of characters assembles—an eager scholar, a wayward king, a beggar with surprising insight, and a poet narrator who wields sarcasm as deftly as a sword. Their interactions are laced with conspiracies, mock‑heroic quests, and a series of absurd trials that playfully critique the social hierarchies of twentieth‑century England. Yet beneath the humor lies a genuine romance, two heroines whose beauty and courage drive the heart of the tale.
The novel’s style swings between lyrical description and sharp satire, offering listeners a vivid soundscape of bucolic England, bustling courts, and unexpected battle scenes. It invites the audience to contemplate questions of power, morality, and the absurdities that shape ordinary lives, all while delivering the kind of spirited adventure that feels both timeless and oddly contemporary. For anyone who enjoys a mischievous blend of romance, comedy, and thoughtful commentary, the story promises an entertaining and thought‑provoking journey.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (368K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2012-11-23
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1884–1915
A poet, playwright, and novelist whose work pairs rich musical language with a strong sense of beauty and travel, he is best remembered for "The Golden Journey to Samarkand" and the verse drama Hassan. His life was brief, but his writing left a lasting impression on readers drawn to lyric poetry and far horizons.
View all books
by James Elroy Flecker

by James Elroy Flecker

by James Elroy Flecker

by Vinceslas-Eugène Dick

by Philippe Aubert de Gaspé

by Abraham Cahan

by Dion Boucicault

by Maria Edgeworth