Flint and Mirror: A Novel of History and Magic is a 2022 historical fantasy novel by John Crowley, retelling the life of Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone from a magical viewpoint. An expansion of Crowley's 2018 short story of the same name, it was first published by Tor Books.
Synopsis
The night before he goes to England for the first time, Hugh O'Neill receives a magical piece of flint from the Tuatha Dé Danann, so that he may call upon them in times of need; later, he receives from John Dee a magical obsidian mirror, which will connect him to Queen Elizabeth. Ultimately, however, neither magical artifact makes a difference.
Reception
In The Spectator, Philip Womack stated that it was "engrossing and elegant". Publishers Weekly found it to be "beautiful (and) subtle", lauding Crowley's "ich, evocative prose" and comparing the novel to Jonathan Strange and Mister Norrell.
The Historical Novel Society praised Crowley's "beautiful" writing and "fascinating, well-crafted history", but observed that the novel's magical elements do not feel "essential" or "consequential", as "despite suggestions that might allow to summon mythical allies to his aid or spy on his enemies," he is never shown as "wield these powers in meaningful fashion", asking whether the novel should instead have been "straight historical fiction". Similarly, Library Journal noted that, despite Crowley's "enthrall (...) alchemy of uncanny magic, ancient science, and tragic history", the novel may disappoint those who seek "the high magic of epic fantasy".
At Locus, Paul Di Filippo called it "not quite as monumental as some of Crowley’s earlier works, but utterly captivating and satisfying, exhibiting all his trademark literary craft, as well as his deep perceptiveness about life, time, nature and the universe," drawing parallels to the works of Morgan Llywelyn, Guy Gavriel Kay, T. H. White, and Hal Foster, and suggesting that the "deeply affecting subplot" about the relationship between Ineen and the shapeshifting Sorley could have succeeded as a standalone story.
References
- Faeries and Queens, by Philip Womack; published April 18, 2022; retrieved May 19, 2023
- Flint and Mirror, reviewed at Publishers Weekly; published January 25, 2022; retrieved May 19, 2023
- Flint and Mirror, reviewed by Nick Wisseman; first published in Historical Novels Review issue 100 (May 2022); retrieved May 19, 2023
- Flint and Mirror, reviewed by Marlene Harris, in Library Journal; published April 1, 2022; retrieved May 19, 2023
- Paul Di Filippo Reviews Flint and Mirror by John Crowley; in Locus; May 2022 issue; published online April 7, 2022; retrieved May 19, 2023