THE TWILIGHT OF MAGIC

First published in 1930, now reissued in time for a run on Lofting, is this long fairy tale, quite different in substance and spirit from Doctor Dolittle. The story separates into two sequences: Giles as a boy of nine puzzling over the mysterious power of the Whispering Shell given him by old Annie the Applewoman-- the shell grows hot when the holder is being spoken of, transmits what is said anywhere about him; and Giles as a young man, as Sir Giles the King's Finder (and friend). The first is childhood fantasy; the second is an evocation of a medieval court with some reflection on the quirks of human nature and the drawbacks of being a king, and some romance: both are lightly touched with bemusement, and both are long. The child who can never have enough will revel; others are likely to scan (and Dolittle fans will be disappointed).