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The Return of King Lillian Paperback – 8 July 2019
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Pinnacle Book Achievement Award Winner
Readers' Favorite Award Winner
Independent Author Book of the Year Award Winner
"A whimsical and philosophical fairy tale for the modern age."
When Lillian, the one and only heir to the throne, is cast out of her kingdom by malevolent forces, she accidentally wanders into the Forest of Forgetfullness, where she is rescued by wolves and raised by an eccentric old wise woman. When she comes of age, she is called by Destiny to return home. The trouble is, when Lillian steps out of the Forest, she has no memory of who she is or from whence she hails. Undaunted, the spirited, self-reliant young woman sets off into the unknown, determined to rediscover her long lost self and to reclaim her stolen birthright. Most of the tale is told by Lillian herself as she chronicles her extraordinary adventures.
This offbeat debut novel, written and narrated by multi-media artist Suzie Plakson, is an allegorical saga full of comedy, calamity, and a host of unforgettable characters. Early readers and listeners have compared this unconventional fairy tale to such novels as The Last Unicorn, The Alchemist, The Princess Bride, and The Once and Future King.
“The Return of King Lillian is a basket of magic. Echoing Joseph Campbell's feeling that the world needs new storytellers and new myths to help us greet the coming age, I'll say that Suzie Plakson is one of those storytellers, and King Lillian is one of those myths.”
— Jacob Nordby, author of Blessed Are the Weird: A Manifesto for Creatives
- Print length390 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication date8 July 2019
- Dimensions15.6 x 2.49 x 23.39 cm
- ISBN-100988499312
- ISBN-13978-0988499317
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Review
"The Return of King Lillian is a basket of magic. Echoing Joseph Campbell's feeling that the world needs new storytellers and new myths to help us greet the coming age, I'll say that Suzie Plakson is one of those storytellers, and King Lillian is one of those myths . . . I was delighted by this book that smacks of Chaucer, Mark Twain, and L.M. Montgomery."
-- Jacob Nordby, Author of Blessed Are the Weird: A Manifesto for Creatives
"King Lillian is entrancing, audacious, and addictive in the very best way. A splendidly creative allegory told by Suzie Plakson with flair, wit, and passion."
-- Marianne de Pierres, Author of Parrish Plessis and The Peacemaker series
"With The Return of King Lillian, Suzie Plakson has done the impossible, telling a tale that at once seems both like a timeless classic and something modern, fresh and entirely new. And her audiobook performance is a joy in its own right. Suzie casts you under her spell as she inhabits the character of Lillian, as well as every other magical creature and person Lillian encounters along her journey. This impeccably-produced recording is guaranteed to brighten your day and lift your spirits!"
-- David Briggs, Supervising Sound Editor, Tales of the City, Divorce; ADR Editor, Escape at Dannemora
"To say that King Lillian thoroughly enchanted me and left me spellbound would be the understatement of the century. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and King Lillian is my favorite of all. Suzie Plakson's voice is velvet mixed with grit mixed with enchantment. It takes you into another realm -- into the mystic."
-- Kelly Sullivan Walden, Author of It's All In Your Dreams
"The Return of King Lillian is a highly engaging work of fantasy and mythical fiction... a whimsical and philosophical fairy tale for the modern age. 5 Stars"
-- K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite Reviewer
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Pilmsthistle & Co. (8 July 2019)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 390 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0988499312
- ISBN-13 : 978-0988499317
- Dimensions : 15.6 x 2.49 x 23.39 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: 1,266,648 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 3,277 in Metaphysical & Visionary Fiction (Books)
- 13,424 in Coming of Age Fantasy
- 20,421 in Folklore
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Suzie Plakson has been in love with fairy tale and myth ever since she was a young lass growing up in the wilds of suburbia. The idea for THE RETURN OF KING LILLIAN first came to her when she was a struggling theatre actor in New York City, doing odd jobs, improv comedy, and various off-off-Broadway productions. She eventually landed a lead in a national tour, which dropped her off in Hollywood, and since that time she has appeared in such films and television shows as MAD ABOUT YOU, LOVE AND WAR, WAG THE DOG, DINOSAURS, EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER and STAR TREK. She has also worked as a voiceover artist, written short stories and poetry, written and recorded an alternative country album, created an allegorical solo show, and produced sculptures large and small in her otherwise unused oven. THE RETURN OF KING LILLIAN is her debut novel.
www.kinglillian.com
www.suzieplakson.com
Customer reviews
Top reviews from other countries
Having trained formally in Carl Jung's Analysis and psychology - Jungians know the importance of mythology and fairytale for our inner journey that helps us to feed our Hearts, Souls, Spirits -- and for with this nurturing, we are supported through our outer journey in our personal and collective life. Individuals who hear the inner callings, take the time and patience to nurture the stories being shared within often are greatly rewarded in their personal Heart/Soul/Spirit integration. AND, as the great mythologist, Joseph Campbell has shared - the Personal then becomes Universal. Ms Plakson's story, through her personal effort and devotion, has done this for us.
Our Western Culture - - and more and more the Eastern as well, has become devoid of meaningful fairytales and mythology. The stories that nourished humanity around the campfire are now often shallow utterances and vague longings for meaning that we see on the television that has replaced our hearths - --and the enrichment of our hearts. This book We has given us a hero myth to motivate each of us in this time.
In this wonderful book Suzie Plakson leads us through a wonderful journey with whimsy, passion and heart -- is not only entertaining - it is a true Lap Tale as Jungians and Mythologists describe it - where we are held in loving care as small children were once held in caring laps of their trusted parents and grandparents after a good dinner and before a crackling fire - as we journey out into a land of magic where we learn along with King Lillian. If we allow the story Ms Plakson weaves to take hold of us -we not only have a bang-up good time - we also find at the end that we are more whole, more centered - - returned to feeling and knowing the magic within that our fast-paced lives have often taken from us.
This is a great book for adults - but it is also one for parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents to read to the children in their lives. I believe it is also a book for teachers to consider reading in their classes - with its rich story it provides fertile ground for many questions that children and teens have about life, and also about nurturing their imaginations in this digital heavy world.
The Return of King Lilian inspires the imagination!
I really hope Suzie writes more books because this one was so freaking fun.
Author and Storyteller Suzie Plakson knows her Lillian, and she knows – in exquisite, delicious detail - the Whole Wyde Whirld that Lillian encounters on her way to regaining her throne. Marvelously imagined, wonderfully constructed, this first novel is a true tour de force.
And really, don’t get me started on the audio book. Just listen to it. But not in the quiet car of the train.
I did start reading it, at first, but I got curious about the audiobook as the narrative was so unusual and conversational. Ms. Plakson really brings each character to life and gives the story so much more to enjoy. If you are a books on tape person you really must listen to this story. And if you are not you will become one if you listen to King Lillian. I was surprised, well not surprised but I didn’t plan on liking it as much as I did. And there was excitement each time I was able to get back into it and disappointment when I had to leave it.
Ms. Plakson writes beautifully. There is excellent poetry where warranted, and accessible prose everywhere else. She creates vivid scenes. Her characters are alive on the page, especially Lillian.
Lillian is a woman who could become a King, if she can recover her memory and depose a usurper. She must travel the world trying to re-find both her identity and her home, while pondering if the goal will be worth the quest. The world she traverses is full of wonder and magic, but the main treat is Lillian herself. She is cheerful, tolerant, generous, patient, and stoic in the face of adversity. She is also too tall (if such a thing is possible?). It's her voice and point of view that we hear/see throughout the story. She's a wonderful companion leading us on an epic journey through a fabulous world. And how does the story end?
It ends twice. What do I mean? Read the book. I will say this, the tone of the second part is very different. It's actually jarring. But give it a chance. The two endings are greater than the sum of their parts.
This book should become a classic. Highly recommended.