F
Fletcher Pratt
Murray Fletcher Pratt (1897–1956) was an American writer of science fiction, fantasy and history. He is best known for his works on naval history and on the American Civil War and for fiction written with L. Sprague de Camp.
The compleat enchanter
Join Harold Shea as he discovers a unique system of symbolic logic that allows him to travel to parallel universes where magic is real. These worlds are often based on classic mythologies and literary fantasies, leading Harold into encounters with evil wizards, fantastic beasts, and unpredictable magic. This light-hearted fantasy follows his adventures as he navigates these enchanting yet perilous realms.
This novel is the first in the Harold Shea series, which explores his continued adventures across various mythological and literary worlds. While it introduces the core concept and characters, the subsequent books expand on his journeys and the magical systems he encounters.
The book draws heavily from classic fantasy and mythological sources, with Harold Shea's travels taking him into worlds inspired by Norse mythology, Spenser's The Faerie Queene, and the Irish sagas. Readers familiar with these works will recognize many of the settings and characters.