Book Review: Three Hearts and Three Lions

Published in 1953 and authored by Poul Anderson, "Three Hearts and Three Lions", is one of those fantasy classics unknown by many modern readers. However, this hidden jewel is widely recognized in the community of fantasy fiction, as one of the most influential novel in the genre.

Poul Anderson, is one of my favorite authors. He won numerous awards for his sci-fi fantasy books. His works are inspired by Norse mythology, and the stories are often told in the style similar to epics and sagas. It is often widely acknowledged, the best novel from Anderson, is his 1954 fantasy novel, "The Broken Sword", a fantasy novel fashioned after Nordic saga (review coming soon). However, Three Hearts and Three lions, is often considered as one of the most ground breaking fantasy novels, and is the foundation for Gary Gygax's Dungeons and Dragons franchise.

The story of Three Hearts and Three Lions, is similar to Mark Twain's "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court". The difference, is in Three Hearts and Three Lions, Poul Anderson focused more on crafting a heroic epic.

Synopsis:

Holger Calrsen, was a Danish migrant to the US. He managed to find a job in the US as an engineer. In 1941, during World War 2, Holger decided to travel back to Europe to join an underground resistance force, fighting against Nazi Germany. In a mission to rescue and transport prisoners, Holger engaged in a hand-to-hand combat against a German soldier. During the combat, Holger sustained injuries to his head, and became unconscious. When he regained his consciousness, Holger found himself in a strange land, next to a black stallion, a suit of medieval armor, weaponry and a shield with the emblem of three hearts and three lions.  Mystified by his predicament, Holger set out to unveil the mysteries of his whereabouts, only to discover, he was in medieval Europe. Only that the land seemed to be filled with magic, mythological creatures and supernatural entities.

Holger befriended a dwarf and a swam may. Later, Holger discovered that he has been transported to the time of the Carolingian cycle, but in a parallel universe. In this universe, the forces of law is in conflict with the forces of chaos. The forces of law/order, is represented by Christianity, commonly embraced by humans, governed under the empire ruled by Charlemange. The forces of chaos, are the Faeries. In this status, Holger was also puzzled to discover, he was strangely acquitted with skills previously unknown to him, such as: skills with medieval weapons, the ability to speak speak fluent Latin, and flash back of memories 

Determined to find a way to return home, and determine the truth of his identity. Holger set out with the dwarf and the swan may on an adventure. Only to discover that he has a crucial role to play in the struggle between the forces of law and the forces of chaos, which is tied to his mysterious identity of his forgotten past. In his quest, Holger encountered a number of mythological characters and creatures, from dragons, giants, trolls, werewolf, while struggling against the forces of Morgan Le Fay.

 What I think about the book:

Three Hearts and Three Lions, is a very intriguing fantasy novel. This is probably the first fantasy novel to use the concept of multi-verse, in conjunction with time travel. The idea of parallel universe and time travel, are elements often found in science fiction novels. However, Poul Anderson has successfully pulled these elements across the genre, to create a very interesting world where the story is set. In addition to this, Poul Anderson artfully blended Norse mythology and Arthurian legend, to craft a fabled world full of wondrous intrigues: regenerating trolls, giants, swam may, Faeries, Morgan Le Fay, elves, dwarfs, dragons, and werewolves. The story is composed very well , Anderson's prose is beautifully written, yet remains easy to understand without sounding overly archaic.

This novel, however, is not without flaws. Personally, I think the ending is anti-climatic. The story, character development, and the pace continuously build up throughout the entire book, until the end, instead of a dramatic conclusion. Readers are treated with an abrupt ending. The readers can't help but feel despondent about the ending, but perhaps, this ending was intentionally constructed by Poul Anderson, to make the readers empathize with Holger's feeling as his adventure reaches the conclusion.

Nevertheless, Three Hearts and Three Lions, is indeed a very well written novel, with some very interesting ideas. I mean, where else can you find a fantasy novel with all these elements: Multi-verse theory, time travel, paladins, dragons, trolls, giants, swan may, werewolf, Morgan Le Fay, Faeries and Emperor Charlemagne, all blended in a well written, intriguing adventure? Look no further, Three Hearts and Three Lions, is one of those classics not to be missed by true fans of fantasy fiction. I am sure this is why, Easton Press has included this book in their "100 Master Piece of Fantasy" list.

Happy reading!