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| Author | Emma Bull |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Pamela Patrick |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Set in | Minneapolis |
| Publisher | Ace Books |
Publication date | 1987 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 309 |
| ISBN | 0-441-87073-2 |
| OCLC | 16615723 |
War for the Oaks (1987) is afantasy novel by American writerEmma Bull. The book tells the story of Eddi McCandry, a rock musician who finds herself unwillingly pulled into the supernaturalfaerie conflict between good and evil.War for the Oaks is one of the first works in thesubgenre ofurban fantasy: although it involves supernatural characters, the setting (Minneapolis) is decidedly real-world. The novel is considered one of the first examples of the subgenre known asromantasy.[1]
Walking home one night through the streets of Minneapolis after quitting her rock band and breaking up with her boyfriend, Eddi McCandry discovers that she is being pursued by a threatening man and an even more threatening black dog. They turn out to be one and the same: a shapeshifting prankster faerie known as aphouka, who drafts Eddi to be the linchpin in the ongoing battle between faerie's good and nobleSeelie Court and the evil Unseelie Court, ruled by the Queen of Air and Darkness. Eddi soon finds herself in a struggle for survival against the Unseelie Court, all while trying to put a new rock band together. Meanwhile, her initial feelings of resentment toward the phouka develop into gratitude for his efforts to protect her against the dark queen, and ultimately turn into love. The novel climaxes in a rock concert playoff between Eddi and the Queen of Air and Darkness, which decides the fate of both faerie courts, as well as the fate of her loved one.
Many references are made toBritish folklore. During the course of the novel, Eddi meets aglaistig, the phouka, abrownie, andredcaps. Many traditional beliefs about faeries are incorporated; for example, their aversion torowan berries andSt John's wort.
Rock music also features prominently in the novel. Much of the novel is devoted to Eddi's efforts in putting together a rock band. Her band plays covers of songs by diverse musicians includingPrince,Peter Gabriel,The Beatles,Kim Carnes,Men Without Hats, andBram Tchaikovsky. Eddi also plays songs written by herself - in actuality of course, written by the author, Emma Bull. Some of these (includingWear My Face andFor It All) were performed by the bandCats Laughing (of which Emma Bull is a member), and are on their second albumAnother Way To Travel.
There are also references to historical landmarks of Minneapolis as locations for the story. Eddi is chased downNicollet Mall at night by the phouka; theFey battles take place atMinnehaha Falls and atComo Park Zoo and Conservatory; and her band, Eddi and the Fey, plays at theMinneapolis College of Art and Design and atFirst Avenue, which is where the climactic playoff occurs for the fates of Minneapolis and the phouka. The opening band in that scene is Twin Cities Celtic-punk groupBoiled in Lead, whose 1987 albumHotheads also appears in an earlier scene in Eddi's apartment.
War for the Oaks won theLocus Award for Best First Novel[1] and was a finalist for theMythopoeic Fantasy Award.
