
PREFACE
THE WORLD’S DESIRE
CHAPTER I. THE SILENT ISLE
CHAPTER II. THE VISION OF THE WORLD’S DESIRE
CHAPTER III. THE SLAYING OF THE SIDONIANS
CHAPTER IV. THE BLOOD-RED SEA
CHAPTER V. MERIAMUN THE QUEEN
CHAPTER VI. THE STORY OF MERIAMUN
CHAPTER VII. THE QUEEN’S VISION
CHAPTER VIII. THE KA, THE BAI, AND THE KHOU
A sweeping romance that stitches together the mythic worlds of Greece, Egypt and the far‑north, this tale imagines a age when heroes and deities moved across the same seas. Drawing on the latest archaeological discoveries, it re‑creates a twilight era where Helen—described as the “World’s Desire”—possesses a shape‑shifting beauty that echoes legends from Homer to medieval folklore. The narrative blends scholarly intrigue with lyrical fantasy, inviting listeners to wander through ancient courts, burial chambers and storm‑tossed fjords, all while the echo of a blood‑red ruby and a mysterious “Star‑stone” glimmers in the background.
The story opens as a lone vessel slips through dusk‑lit waters toward a silent isle, its crew haunted by whispered prophecies of a fairy queen whose song promises both wonder and ruin. As the ship draws near, the atmosphere thickens with the scent of incense and the promise of a quest that will test love, loyalty, and the very limits of myth. Listeners are drawn into the first act’s haunting blend of adventure and yearning, setting the stage for a journey that bridges continents and centuries.
Language
en
Duration
~7 hours (446K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2006-04-04
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1856–1925
Best known for classic adventure tales like King Solomon’s Mines and She, this English novelist helped shape the lost-world story and filled his fiction with danger, mystery, and sweeping journeys. His years in southern Africa deeply influenced the settings and atmosphere of many of his most famous books.
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1844–1912
Best known for gathering fairy tales into the beloved "color" Fairy Books, this Scottish writer also moved easily between poetry, criticism, translation, and folklore. His work helped bring stories from many traditions to a wide English-speaking audience.
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