William Morris’ ‘The Story of the Glittering Plain’ is a very early work of fantasy said to have been inspiration for Tolkien, where a wanderer Hallbaithe ventures to the Glittering Plain in search of his taken damsel known only to the reader as The Hostage. Aside from the diminishing of the primary female figure, her ceasing to even be given a name by Morris, Hallbaithe’s motives also weren’t the best established as there is no relationship built between he and The Hostage prior to her going missing, hence the reader not being sure really of what they are rooting for. Another lack of motive is the case in the antagonist Fox, who has no real basis for his actions and even his role as the defined antagonist is slightly unclear. 

The similarities to Tolkien are however evident. Nature is at the heart of the quest and much of he description alike to ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘Lord of the Rings’, though Morris also places a huge emphasis on colour. There is also some underlying religious allegory and representation of the afterlife, echoing many fairy tales that were written by Morris’ contemporaries. 

I also must draw attention to the illustrations and typeface of the edition I read of this book, a reprint of the first edition, whilst enhancing the experience to be more fantastical and the illustrations being pretty, the font was in a fantasy style and honestly very hard to read. The depictions of nature were pretty but a lacking plot and non-existent motives left a lot to be desired.