Shy Leopardess
Encyclopedia
Shy Leopardess is a fantasy
novel by Leslie Barringer
, the third and last book in his three volume Neustrian Cycle. It is set around the fourteenth century in an alternate medieval
France
called Neustria
(historically an early division of the Frankish kingdom
). The book was first published in the United Kingdom by Methuen in 1948. Its significance was recognized by its republication in the United States by the Newcastle Publishing Company
as the thirteenth volume of the celebrated Newcastle Forgotten Fantasy Library
series in October, 1977. The Newcastle edition was reprinted by Borgo Press
in 1980.
Chapter headings of the 1948 edition:
, in his evaluation of the Neustrian Cycle, notes that "Of the three protagonists, Yolande of Baraine – the Shy Leopardess of the third novel – is perhaps the most interesting, as she successfully gambles her life (her "virtue" does not last the course) to gain autonomy in a male-dominated world."
Lin Carter
cited the first American edition of 1977 from Newcastle as one of that year's best fantasy books.
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
novel by Leslie Barringer
Leslie Barringer
Leslie Barringer was an English editor and author of historical novels and historical fantasy novels, best known for the latter.-Life:...
, the third and last book in his three volume Neustrian Cycle. It is set around the fourteenth century in an alternate medieval
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
called Neustria
Neustria
The territory of Neustria or Neustrasia, meaning "new [western] land", originated in 511, made up of the regions from Aquitaine to the English Channel, approximating most of the north of present-day France, with Paris and Soissons as its main cities...
(historically an early division of the Frankish kingdom
Franks
The Franks were a confederation of Germanic tribes first attested in the third century AD as living north and east of the Lower Rhine River. From the third to fifth centuries some Franks raided Roman territory while other Franks joined the Roman troops in Gaul. Only the Salian Franks formed a...
). The book was first published in the United Kingdom by Methuen in 1948. Its significance was recognized by its republication in the United States by the Newcastle Publishing Company
Newcastle Publishing Company
The Newcastle Publishing Company was a Southern California-based small trade paperback publisher founded by bookstore owner Al Saunders, active from July 1971 through October 1992, under the editorial direction of Robert Reginald and Douglas Menville, formerly the editors of the speculative fiction...
as the thirteenth volume of the celebrated Newcastle Forgotten Fantasy Library
Newcastle Forgotten Fantasy Library
The Newcastle Forgotten Fantasy Library was a series of trade paperback books published by the Newcastle Publishing Company between 1973 and 1980...
series in October, 1977. The Newcastle edition was reprinted by Borgo Press
Borgo Press
The Borgo Press was a small publishing company founded by Robert Reginald in 1975 funded by the royalties gained from his first major reference work.The same year Borgo Press was founded, Robert Reginald met Mary Wickizer Rogers, a student at Cal State...
in 1980.
Chapter headings of the 1948 edition:
- Encounters at Parledin.
- Azo's way.
- Roclatour and Sanctlamine.
- A silver shield and a grey kitten.
- Balthasar's way.
- Jehane's way.
- The way of Dom Ursus Campestris.
- Belphegor's way.
- The secret servants of Yolande.
- Passing bells at Roclatour.
- Fruit of thunder.
- Belphagor's way again.
- "My Diomede, my Lioncel".
- Yolande's way.
- A queen from the east.
Criticism
John CluteJohn Clute
John Frederick Clute is a Canadian born author and critic who has lived in Britain since 1969. He has been described as "an integral part of science fiction's history."...
, in his evaluation of the Neustrian Cycle, notes that "Of the three protagonists, Yolande of Baraine – the Shy Leopardess of the third novel – is perhaps the most interesting, as she successfully gambles her life (her "virtue" does not last the course) to gain autonomy in a male-dominated world."
Lin Carter
Lin Carter
Linwood Vrooman Carter was an American author of science fiction and fantasy, as well as an editor and critic. He usually wrote as Lin Carter; known pseudonyms include H. P. Lowcraft and Grail Undwin.-Life:Carter was born in St. Petersburg, Florida...
cited the first American edition of 1977 from Newcastle as one of that year's best fantasy books.