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Doubleday and Co., Inc. (1961), 181 pages
Description
The gathering forces of the Dark Powers threaten the world of man. The legions of Faery, aided by trolls, demons, and the Wild Hunt itself, are poised to overthrow the Realms of Light. Holger Carlsen, a bemused and puzzled twentieth-century man mysteriously snatched out of time, finds himself the key figure in the conflict. Arrayed against him are the dragons, giants, and elfin warriors of the armies of Chaos and the beautiful sorceress Morgan le Fay. On his side are a vague prophecy, a quarrelsome dwarf, and a beautiful woman who can turn herself into a swan, not to mention Papillon, the magnificent battle horse, and a full set of perfectly fitting armor, both of which were waiting for him when he entered the magical realm. The shield bears three hearts and three lions-the only clue to Holger Carlsen's true identity. Could Carlsen really be a legendary hero, the only man who can save the world?… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
This is an entertaining tale of a twentieth century man, Holger Carlsen, suddenly plunged into a magical medieval world where he gains a dwarf and a swan-may as companions and Morgan le Fay as his adversary, along the way battling werewolves, trolls, elves and giants. I do like the way Carlsen's
Downward the monster slanted, overhauling them with nightmare speed. Holger glanced back again and saw smoke and flame roll from the fanged mouth. For a lunatic moment he wondered about the metabolism, and what amendment to the square-cube law permitted that hulk to fly?
Similarly he deduces the curse on a purse of gold must be due to the radioactivity of transmutation. A lot of the humor comes from a modern, scientific man's struggles to make sense of the fairy tale setting. At the same time there's something old-fashioned in the sensibility of this book published in 1953. It struck me reading this that in recent decades fantasy has taken on New Age assumptions about the sources and overall benignity of magic. This is a tale where witches are sinister figures and wielding a cross and having Christian prayers on your lips can avert evil. That made it rather refreshing in some ways from the contemporary works in fantasy--like reading a story where vampires are bloodsucking fiends rather than a dream date. There are touches of Mallory speak ("hight" and "oft" and the like) but that doesn't keep it from reading fast--and it's pretty short, not much longer than 200 pages in mass paperback. I did enjoy this, although not in a way I would read it again. So fun, entertaining, but not for me a keeper.
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knowledge as an engineer comes into play, as in this encounter with a dragon:Downward the monster slanted, overhauling them with nightmare speed. Holger glanced back again and saw smoke and flame roll from the fanged mouth. For a lunatic moment he wondered about the metabolism, and what amendment to the square-cube law permitted that hulk to fly?
Similarly he deduces the curse on a purse of gold must be due to the radioactivity of transmutation. A lot of the humor comes from a modern, scientific man's struggles to make sense of the fairy tale setting. At the same time there's something old-fashioned in the sensibility of this book published in 1953. It struck me reading this that in recent decades fantasy has taken on New Age assumptions about the sources and overall benignity of magic. This is a tale where witches are sinister figures and wielding a cross and having Christian prayers on your lips can avert evil. That made it rather refreshing in some ways from the contemporary works in fantasy--like reading a story where vampires are bloodsucking fiends rather than a dream date. There are touches of Mallory speak ("hight" and "oft" and the like) but that doesn't keep it from reading fast--and it's pretty short, not much longer than 200 pages in mass paperback. I did enjoy this, although not in a way I would read it again. So fun, entertaining, but not for me a keeper.
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LibraryThing member Tapes
I picked this book up about twenty five years ago. back then I was heavily into sword and sorcery, Robert E Howard, Michael Moorcock all that sort of thing. This book just gripped me from the start. It concerns a twentieth century Danish American who, on returning to his homeland to fight the Nazis
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is shot and awakes in a fantasy world of elves, dwarves, swan mays and trolls. Oh and he just happens to be reborn as Holger Danske-apparently a Danish hero in the King Arthur mould. The writing is fresh and the story is packed with incident-so much so that every time I read it (and my tatty paperback edition is getting very tatty indeed) I always find a bit I don't remember from the last time. I don't suppose it counts as great literature but I loved it then and do now. I recommend it to anyone. Show Less
LibraryThing member lunacat
This fantasy was a delight from start to finish, as I have come to expect from the 'Fantasy Masterworks' series, a selection of 'top of the range' fantasy. I had heard Anderson's name mentioned a lot in relation to good, well told stories but this was the first I have read and I couldn't have asked
I must note that it is essential that you read the author's note at the beginning. I usually do but sometimes don't and wouldn't want anyone to miss anything.
The story centres around the old fantasy faithful. A man transplanted in a world he doesn't know or understand, where it becomes obvious that he is destined to save this world. The man, in this case Holger Carlsen, is accompanied by a dwarf with attitude, a girl who turns into a swan and has motives of her own, and a whole host of old mythological legends and characters to help or hinder him, including Morgan le Fay, and others of the world of Faerie.
Holger is a likeable main character, as are all those on the side of the 'good' and the premise is brilliant, and made me look at historical events slightly differently, although not in too much depth!
Every page was filled with either action or interesting movement in the plot, and my ONLY criticism is in the way it finished. Much too abruptly for my liking! Some of the secondary characters could also have done with some more depth and background for my liking. But I like epics.
I would recommend it to anyone who likes classic fantasy or would like to try some. It was a thoroughly enjoyable ride from start to finish.
In one line: Classic fantasy extremely well done.
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for more. Except for it to have been about three times as long!I must note that it is essential that you read the author's note at the beginning. I usually do but sometimes don't and wouldn't want anyone to miss anything.
The story centres around the old fantasy faithful. A man transplanted in a world he doesn't know or understand, where it becomes obvious that he is destined to save this world. The man, in this case Holger Carlsen, is accompanied by a dwarf with attitude, a girl who turns into a swan and has motives of her own, and a whole host of old mythological legends and characters to help or hinder him, including Morgan le Fay, and others of the world of Faerie.
Holger is a likeable main character, as are all those on the side of the 'good' and the premise is brilliant, and made me look at historical events slightly differently, although not in too much depth!
Every page was filled with either action or interesting movement in the plot, and my ONLY criticism is in the way it finished. Much too abruptly for my liking! Some of the secondary characters could also have done with some more depth and background for my liking. But I like epics.
I would recommend it to anyone who likes classic fantasy or would like to try some. It was a thoroughly enjoyable ride from start to finish.
In one line: Classic fantasy extremely well done.
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LibraryThing member helver
Three Hearts and Three Lions is a hybrid fantasy/historical fantasy novel in the classic time shift mode. Our hero, Holger Carlson, an engineer from Denmark finds himself thrust into the Fantasy realm of King Arthur, Morgan Le Fay, and Charlemagne. Through his journey to discover where he is and
Holger Carlson is an incarnation of the Holger Danske, a Danish hero in the same mode as King Arthur is in England. Seeing the big man interact with some of the legends of English lore was interesting, and upon further research, it was even more interesting to discovery that his legend involved wars, loves, and friendships that were described in this novel. There was a little bit of Connecticut Yankee in this one along with the normal swords and sorcery elements.
Overall, I enjoyed this one. It was obvious that Anderson was master of his craft.
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how to get back home, he discovers *who* he is and his place in both worlds.Holger Carlson is an incarnation of the Holger Danske, a Danish hero in the same mode as King Arthur is in England. Seeing the big man interact with some of the legends of English lore was interesting, and upon further research, it was even more interesting to discovery that his legend involved wars, loves, and friendships that were described in this novel. There was a little bit of Connecticut Yankee in this one along with the normal swords and sorcery elements.
Overall, I enjoyed this one. It was obvious that Anderson was master of his craft.
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LibraryThing member Karlstar
This is a great fantasy book. In fact, it is one of the books that inspired the creator of Dungeons and Dragons. The plot isn't that unusual - in World War 2, a man from our world finds himself in a fantasy world, on a quest that will have consequences in the fight against evil in our world.
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Dragons, trolls, magic swords, everything you'd expect in a classic fantasy novel, told simply and well. Show Less
LibraryThing member jimmaclachlan
This is one of my favorite books by him. He writes both fantasy & SF, but this one is definitely fantasy. He dusts off some old myths & tosses a modern man into one. Very well done.
LibraryThing member RBeffa
This was a really good classic fantasy tale about a Dane, Holger Carlsen, tossed sideways and through time from World War 2 fighting Nazi's to a parallel universe where Law and Chaos are poised to battle. It is a modern reworking of myths, in particular the legend of Ogier the Dane (Holger Danske).
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The entire novel is a journey up to the brink of the war, but we never actually experence the epic battle. But there is plenty of action and it is a great old-fashioned tale. Holger is paired with Hugi, a dwarf as his companion, and they become good friends over the course of the journey which ends with a ferocious battle against an 8 foot troll who simply would not die. There is also a sweet love story between Holger and a swan-may, Alianora, interwoven. Recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member salimbol
The tale of a Danish man whipped out of battle during World War II and plonked down in the middle of a fantasy world where he is seen as a great knight. Drawing on medieval romances, it thankfully eschews the worst of Ye Olde Time cliches and delivers an entertaining story that's a clever melding
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of fantasy and science fiction. At times it was also quite funny (especially during the riddle contest - you simply don't expect to read 'why did the chicken cross the road?' jokes in a medieval setting!). I liked the protagonist's healthy scepticism, and how he (mostly) preserved his phlegmatic and rational mindset, and I also appreciated how Alianora the Swan-may wasn't simply a love interest, but was an integral part of the action. I suspect this relatively little-known book has had a large influence on the fantasy writing that came after it. Show Less
LibraryThing member AltheaAnn
Originally published in 1953, this book was selected for reprint as part of the "Fantasy Masterworks" series, so I thought I would check it out.
Holger Carlsen is a Danish-American engineer, who, while involved in a daring attempt to smuggle people out of Nazi-occupied Denmark, finds himself
It's a bit cheesy in parts, and suffers from some innate sexism (it was written in the 50's), but overall, a fun, light read.
Holger Carlsen is a Danish-American engineer, who, while involved in a daring attempt to smuggle people out of Nazi-occupied Denmark, finds himself
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mysteriously transported to a medieval-esque land on the border of Faerie. He awakes naked, with no memory of how he arrived in this place - but finds a knight's steed and trappings sitting next to him, ready for his use, so he sets off on a quest to find a way to get home. Soon joined by an earthy little dwarf, Hugi, and a beautiful, nubile swan-maiden, Alionora, he experiences a set of adventures (in which his knowledge of engineering repeatedly comes in handy), faces the machinations of Morgan le Fay, and gradually comes to realize that his true place may be here, in this magical land.It's a bit cheesy in parts, and suffers from some innate sexism (it was written in the 50's), but overall, a fun, light read.
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LibraryThing member nsenger
‘In olden time,’ said Hugi, ‘richt after the Fall, nigh everything were Chaos, see ye. But step by step ’tis been driven back. The longest step was when the Saviour lived on earth, for then naught o’ darkness could stand...'
Three Hearts and Three Lions is one of those classic heroic
As he struggles to make sense of why he is there and how to return, Holger finds himself deeply involved in the battle between Chaos and Law. He gains the friendship of Hugi the dwarf and Alianor the swan maiden, but he find himself at odds with the Elf-lord Duke Alfric and the sorceress Morgan Le Fey.
For fans of heroic fantasy, Three Hearts and Three Lions has nearly everything one could wish: dragons, magic swords, werewolves, the land of Faerie, quests, tragedy, romance, humor, adventure--all held together by an underlying theme and a fairytale atmosphere. While it does not have the sophistication or breadth of The Lord of the Rings, it has an unexpected depth and heart, especially for such a short work.
Three Heart and Three Lions is a true classic from the golden age of fantasy and is listed in Fantasy: The 100 Best Books.
Three Hearts and Three Lions is one of those classic heroic
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fantasy novels that satisfies on almost every level. Published originally in 1953 and expanded in 1961, it tells the story of Holger Carlsen, an engineer from Denmark who is suddenly transported from a World War II battlefield to a world of magic, myths, and monsters. He awakens in a forest without his clothes, where a fully equipped warhorse named Papillion grazes peacefully. Taking the armor, weapons and clothing from the horse's back, Holger notices the shield that hangs from the saddle. Something familiar about the design stirs his memory: three hearts and three lions. But nothing more comes. And yet he can ride the horse and wield the sword skillfully.As he struggles to make sense of why he is there and how to return, Holger finds himself deeply involved in the battle between Chaos and Law. He gains the friendship of Hugi the dwarf and Alianor the swan maiden, but he find himself at odds with the Elf-lord Duke Alfric and the sorceress Morgan Le Fey.
For fans of heroic fantasy, Three Hearts and Three Lions has nearly everything one could wish: dragons, magic swords, werewolves, the land of Faerie, quests, tragedy, romance, humor, adventure--all held together by an underlying theme and a fairytale atmosphere. While it does not have the sophistication or breadth of The Lord of the Rings, it has an unexpected depth and heart, especially for such a short work.
Three Heart and Three Lions is a true classic from the golden age of fantasy and is listed in Fantasy: The 100 Best Books.
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LibraryThing member antiquary
One of the classics of modern fantasy, contemporary with the original publication of LOTR, before the flood of later imitations. The hero Holger is a modern Danish student in America during WW@ who goes back to Denmark to help the Resistance and gets transported into a fantasy world set after the
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legendary (not the historical) version of Charlemagne's reign. Holger turns out to be Ogier the Dane, a hero of Charlemagne's court. This story sets up the Law and Chaos contrast later used in D&D. In this version, Chaos is definitely the bad side, and both human pagans and Morgan le Fay are definitely on the bad side (though she is attractive). However, Holger prefers a good swanmay, Alienora, Ultimately he helps the good side win but gets transported back to our world, and then devotes himself to trying to return to the other world and Alienora. It is hinted that he succeeds in the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member abycats
This book, published in 1961, holds up very well for me
Despite it being 20-30 years or more since I last read it. It’s always been a huge sentimental favorite because of its optimism and emphasis on comrades working together. In times of war or discord, this book again reminds me of the many
Despite it being 20-30 years or more since I last read it. It’s always been a huge sentimental favorite because of its optimism and emphasis on comrades working together. In times of war or discord, this book again reminds me of the many
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reasons for hope plus all the sleeping hero myths. Would that they were true. Show Less
LibraryThing member DinadansFriend
I'd already read a small amount about Ogier the Dane, before encountering this work, and I never warmed up to it. I've got a copyright date of 1951 for this book, and its clumsy WWII tie-in was a final nail in the coffin. I'm glad this is just one of Poul Anderson's books.
LibraryThing member ashleytylerjohn
Tremendously disappointing. At times there were some decent sentences, but I didn't care about any of the characters, the plot went nowhere (it read like a rather long-winded first 3rd of a book, basically all set-up and meandering), and for the life of me I fail to see how this gained any
There's something awfully dated about portal fantasy (to me, at any rate), of this sort--where you can't just accept the other realm, you have to make up explanations for why you have characters in it. It sort of put me off Thomas Covenant or the Fionavar series, made me quickly abandon Beyond the Pale, and annoyed me throughout the half of Glory Road I read before tossing it. Whereas, for contrast, I'm reading the Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser series for the first time and absolutely loving it--despite (mostly) being written earlier, it feels much more fresh and modern, as if Joss Whedon had written it. And Poul Anderson, you're no Joss Whedon.
I also wasn't that enthralled with his The Broken Sword, so I guess I'm just not a fan, despite some effort. At least I made it all the way to the end. But it's a weird, weird book, with antagonists who rarely show up, a disappointing climax, heroes who are just wonderful, apprently, and by the time they reached the Magic Sword (yes, it's one of those books) I'd pretty much forgotten why they wanted it in the first place.
Your time can be better spent!
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
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reputation as a classic at all. I'll assume the novella was tighter and more interesting, because how could it not be?There's something awfully dated about portal fantasy (to me, at any rate), of this sort--where you can't just accept the other realm, you have to make up explanations for why you have characters in it. It sort of put me off Thomas Covenant or the Fionavar series, made me quickly abandon Beyond the Pale, and annoyed me throughout the half of Glory Road I read before tossing it. Whereas, for contrast, I'm reading the Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser series for the first time and absolutely loving it--despite (mostly) being written earlier, it feels much more fresh and modern, as if Joss Whedon had written it. And Poul Anderson, you're no Joss Whedon.
I also wasn't that enthralled with his The Broken Sword, so I guess I'm just not a fan, despite some effort. At least I made it all the way to the end. But it's a weird, weird book, with antagonists who rarely show up, a disappointing climax, heroes who are just wonderful, apprently, and by the time they reached the Magic Sword (yes, it's one of those books) I'd pretty much forgotten why they wanted it in the first place.
Your time can be better spent!
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
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LibraryThing member Karlstar
This is a great classic fantasy novel. Holger, transported to an alternate Earth where fairy creatures exist and magic works, must save the world(s) from a new threat of evil. Excellent adventure fantasy.
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Original publication date
1961
Physical description
181 p.; 8.1 inches