The enchantments of flesh and spirit - Hardcover

Constantine, Storm

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0356145484 ISBN 13: 9780356145488

Publisher: Macdonald and Co., 1987

Synopsis

Storm Constantine's first novel, expanded and re-edited from the original 1980s edition, with extra appendices and chapter heading illustrations. New edition 2007. "Terror hung in the air like the foul-smelling smoke from a gutted house, where people have been burned alive inside. I could feel it. "Wraeththu. I shiver to say the word. Something has happened to them. Where did they come from? How did it happen? Why is it spreading like a plague? "I have seen. I have seen what they do. I have seen their faces. They always take their dead with them, always. There is a secret. Dont you understand? A secret. Wraeththu are not what they seem. They are more than they seem." Ground-breaking when they first appeared, the Wraeththu Chronicles chart the history of a new race of hermaphrodite beings who come to replace humanity on Earth. Daring, erotic and magical, these editions include `deleted scenes', which have now been restored and expanded. The book also includes new chapter heading illustrations by acclaimed fantasy artist, Ruby.

About this title

From the Publisher:

Since its first appearance in 1987, ‘The Enchantments of Flesh and Spirit’, and the world of the Wraeththu, has captured the minds and hearts of readers all over the world. Now, to coincide with the release of a new Wraeththu trilogy by Storm Constantine, Immanion Press brings you the author’s definitive expanded edition of ‘The Enchantments of Flesh and Spirit’, incorporating new material, scenes and refinements.

From the Author:

For quite a few years, I’d fended off readers’ pleas for more Wraeththu stories. My argument was that I wrote the original books fifteen years ago, and I had changed too much as a writer ever to revisit that territory and do it justice. A certain innocence and naivety has disappeared from my work, and that naïve voice was part of what made the Wraeththu books work. Some readers agreed with me and felt the Wraeththu should be left alone in their world of the past.

However, recently I changed my mind. I don’t know what the catalyst was exactly, but it was as if I received a communication from a friend with whom I’d lost touch. Suddenly, I knew what happened next, after the end of the trilogy.

It occurred to me that if I were trying to sell a new Wraeththu book, it wouldn’t do any harm to try and get the original trilogy reissued. The books are still in print in the US, but I thought it would be good for them to reappear in the UK.

One thing quickly became obvious as I scanned the book into my computer. ‘The Enchantments of Flesh and Spirit’ was very evidently a first novel, littered with plot holes and shaky writing. More than anything, as I scrolled through the pages, I wanted to re-edit the book, and also add more material to fill in the gaping holes.

Also, because I was writing a new trilogy, with a wealth of writing experience behind me, certain aspects of the original books would be inconsistent with better ideas I’ve had since. These inconsistencies needed to be ironed out.

Fate has guided me towards republishing this book myself, as part of the newly created Immanion Press. I also intend to republish the second and third volumes of the original series in the United Kingdom.

About this edition

• Publisher: Macdonald and Co.
• Publication date: 1987
• ISBN 10: 0356145484
• ISBN 13: 9780356145488
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1