Synopsis
Epic Poetry Meets High FantasyAn Edenesque garden, a haunted tower, a forest shrouded in twilight wherein dwell Centaurs, Elves and a myriad of creatures fantastic and mysterious; this is the setting in which Babb’s “Lirazel” comes to life and where the tragedy of her life must unfold. Her doom is fixed, deadly, unavoidable and all the more tragic because of the choices Lirazel makes as she spurns wisdom for folly in a desperate gamble for love. In the world of Lirazel there exists an evil; ancient and monstrous, seductive and sorcerous. Its malice is hyper-focused on revenge and the usurpation of power. To satisfy its plots the Princess Lirazel must die. Perhaps then, a powerful relic will be revealed and then claimed by the usurpers. A crown, made for a princess but desired by a treacherous elf-witch and a fallen Knight; for this thing a brutal war must be fought, heroes must die and a maiden be cursed. The tale of this crown is the story Lirazel will uncover, as will the reader. This is the tale, told as poetry, in which she finds herself enmeshed and ultimately bewitched. The Lay Of Lirazel is narrative poetry told in epic fashion, but it is poetry fully equipped with fangs and enough terror to keep a reader turning pages till the last curse falls and death and doom claim their prize! Inspired by the poetry of Alfred Lord Tennyson, the paintings of John W. Waterhouse and the writings of George MacDonald, William Morris and Lord Dunsany; The Lay of Lirazel is the essence of the mythopoeic set to verse. Perhaps not since J.R.R. Tolkien penned The Lay Of Leithian has a modern writer attempted poetry on such a grand scale.
About the Author
Stephen R. Babb is perhaps best known as the bassist and lyricist for the progressive rock band Glass Hammer. In the late 90's he was also a featured writer for two affluent-lifestyles magazines. In 2005 he penned a rough draft for the epic poem The Lay Of Lirazel upon which Glass Hammer based its album The Inconsolable Secret. For this work, he and the group were awarded "The Imperishable Flame Award For Tolkien-Inspired Creativity" by The North East Tolkien Society. Since then he has busied himself in the production of numerous albums for songwriters, the recording of audio-books for HarperCollins and in the day-to-day tasks required to operate a recording studio while maintaining the persona of "prog-rock star" and "prolific songwriter and lyricist". This last bit, he enjoys to the fullest. Stephen makes his home in Chattanooga, Tennessee USA with wife, Julie, and son, Jon-Michael, where he prefers to be called Steve. He will not answer to Stephen (except to family), though has conceded it suits his new "poet" persona.
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