Thomas the Rhymer (novel)

Thomas the Rhymer
	Cover of the first edition
Author	Ellen Kushner
Cover artist	Thomas Canty
Language	English
Genre	Fantasy ; fairytale ;
Publisher	William Morrow & Co
Publication date	January 1, 1990
Publication place	United States
Pages	247 (1st ed.)
Awards	Mythopoeic Award ; World Fantasy Award ;
ISBN	978-1-55710-046-7

Last updated January 08, 2026

Thomas the Rhymer is a fantasy novel by American writer Ellen Kushner. It is a fairytale based on the ballad of Thomas the Rhymer,^[1]^[2] a piece of folklore in which Thomas Learmonth's love of the Queen of Elfland was rewarded with the gift of prophecy. The novel won the 1991 World Fantasy Award and Mythopoeic Award.

Plot summary

Thomas, a harper from court, befriends a humble farmer and his wife. As he begins a relationship with Elspeth, their neighbor, he is whisked to Elfland, ensnared by the Fairy Queen. After seven years he returns to Gavin, Meg, and Elspeth with a parting gift from the Queen: he can only speak the truth.

Characters

Thomas

A minstrel who sang in the king's court. Before he is captured by the Fairy Queen, he is a carefree young man.

Elspeth

A young woman who falls in love with Thomas. In the seven years of his absence, her hard life makes her cynical.

Gavin

A rather simple crofter who takes Thomas in.

The Queen of Elfland

Although powerful and beautiful, the Fairy Queen can be unmerciful. While she does release Thomas after seven years as her lover, she never truly lets him go.

Meg

Gavin's wife who sees value in Thomas and believes him when others do not.

Awards

1991 World Fantasy Award ^[2]^[3]
1991 Mythopoeic Award ^[2]
2009 Tähtifantasia Award for the best foreign fantasy novel released in Finland in 2008.

References

↑ Ashley, Mike (1997). "Fairytale". In Clute, John; Grant, John (eds.). The Encyclopedia of Fantasy . Orbit. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
1 2 3 Keller, Don (1997). "Kushner, Ellen". In Clute, John; Grant, John (eds.). The Encyclopedia of Fantasy . Orbit. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
↑ World Fantasy Convention. "Award Winners and Nominees" . Retrieved February 4, 2011.

External links

Ellen Kushner's Thomas the Rhymer

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[EOF-fairytale-1] Ashley, Mike (1997). "Fairytale". In Clute, John; Grant, John (eds.). The Encyclopedia of Fantasy . Orbit. Retrieved August 29, 2025.

[EOF-Kushner-2] 1 2 3 Keller, Don (1997). "Kushner, Ellen". In Clute, John; Grant, John (eds.). The Encyclopedia of Fantasy . Orbit. Retrieved August 29, 2025.

[3] World Fantasy Convention. "Award Winners and Nominees" . Retrieved February 4, 2011.

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v t e World Fantasy Award—Novel
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