I imagine the answer would have to do with her access to libraries and bookstores. It has never been clear to me whether she visited them or whether she simply had books sent to her by request.
In the late 1990s, I systematically went through the entire adult fiction section of my midsized public library - twice - searching for historical fantasy novels. There weren't many Arthurian novels on the shelves at that time. I imagine there would have been even fewer in 1991.
And very few adult fantasy novels of any sort when she was writing her Arthurian novels. I own a 1982 book of essays on fantasy literature. At the end is what was intended to be a comprehensive bibliography of all modern English-language fantasy books published up to that date, starting in the 18th century. The number of authors of adult fantasy books that the bibliography lists, prior to the publication of "Sword at Sunset," is 37.
no subject
I imagine the answer would have to do with her access to libraries and bookstores. It has never been clear to me whether she visited them or whether she simply had books sent to her by request.
In the late 1990s, I systematically went through the entire adult fiction section of my midsized public library - twice - searching for historical fantasy novels. There weren't many Arthurian novels on the shelves at that time. I imagine there would have been even fewer in 1991.
And very few adult fantasy novels of any sort when she was writing her Arthurian novels. I own a 1982 book of essays on fantasy literature. At the end is what was intended to be a comprehensive bibliography of all modern English-language fantasy books published up to that date, starting in the 18th century. The number of authors of adult fantasy books that the bibliography lists, prior to the publication of "Sword at Sunset," is 37.