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Eric Rücker Eddison (1882-1945), commonly known as E. R. Eddison, was an esteemed English civil servant and author, best known for his early contributions to the fantasy genre. His magnum opus, 'The Worm Ouroboros' (1922), is often cited as a seminal and influential work in the development of high fantasy literature. Eddison's style is marked by his elaborate, archaic prose and the incorporation of Elizabethan and Jacobean language, which lends a unique, poetic quality to his narratives. The novel itself is a sweeping epic, replete with heroic themes, and showcases an imaginative world reflective of his deep learning in Norse sagas and Renaissance literature. Despite the intricacy of Eddison's language and the particular taste required to appreciate his works, 'The Worm Ouroboros' has proven enduring, with critics comparing his myth-making capabilities to those of his contemporary, J.R.R. Tolkien, and citing Eddison's influence on later fantasy authors. Although his works never achieved mainstream success during his lifetime, Eddison's baroque storytelling and vivid world-building have earned him a place in the annals of fantasy literature, securing his legacy as a pioneer of the genre (Carpenter, 1978).
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