Post by BlueAndGold on Jan 28, 2022 17:01:58 GMT
A verse-novel (correctly) is a narrative, like any novel, including conversation and action; however the story is written in verse. When the verse is written with rhyme and meter it can be something very special.
One shining example of the verse-novel is Lucile, first published in 1860 by Robert Bulwer-Lytton under the pen name Owen Meredith, and since republished hundreds of times.
The verse-novel did not die with the 19th century, however. An excerpt of conversation from the 21st century's SPACE: An Odyssey in Rhyme, reported to be the longest epic poem in American literature, placed in a future setting of interplanetary travel:
"That is quite perceptive," Captain said, "I hope it's true
"That he has not succeeded in likewise recruiting you."
Nick turned slightly red and cast his eyes down at the floor.
He said, "No, he hasn't," but did not say any more.
The captain folded up his suit and placed it on a shelf
Saying, "That is good. There is more at stake than self."
Nick looked up to see the captain staring deep at him
As if Nick were transparent and he saw his secret sins.
The captain walked into the other room and shut the door.
No one saw a trace of him for forty minutes more.
Radar whispered, "Now you've seen 'The Look'. The man can see
"A thousand yards right through your soul. I'm glad it wasn't me."
"He is a driven man," said Duke, "He does what he needs to,
"To reach the goals that call to him; a man whose heart is true.
"You have found his favor, Nick, a valued compliment.
"And you can trust he'll do his best for you as all his men."
Duke rolled on his side and faced into the sofa's back
And seemed to doze off quickly for a forty minute nap.
Nick and Radar set aside their work and did the same
As out their western window brightly burned the Earth's blue flame.
"That he has not succeeded in likewise recruiting you."
Nick turned slightly red and cast his eyes down at the floor.
He said, "No, he hasn't," but did not say any more.
The captain folded up his suit and placed it on a shelf
Saying, "That is good. There is more at stake than self."
Nick looked up to see the captain staring deep at him
As if Nick were transparent and he saw his secret sins.
The captain walked into the other room and shut the door.
No one saw a trace of him for forty minutes more.
Radar whispered, "Now you've seen 'The Look'. The man can see
"A thousand yards right through your soul. I'm glad it wasn't me."
"He is a driven man," said Duke, "He does what he needs to,
"To reach the goals that call to him; a man whose heart is true.
"You have found his favor, Nick, a valued compliment.
"And you can trust he'll do his best for you as all his men."
Duke rolled on his side and faced into the sofa's back
And seemed to doze off quickly for a forty minute nap.
Nick and Radar set aside their work and did the same
As out their western window brightly burned the Earth's blue flame.
For those preferring a verse-novel written in a more romantic, medieval flavor, one need look no further than Castle's Keeper: A Song of Love and Justice, which likewise has no lack of action and adventure:
As the darkness scatters by the lightning’s glaring light,
One instant silhouetted and the next illumined bright,
The driving rain in rivulets awash its armored hide,
The dragon stretched its mighty wings and shrieked as if in pride.
Then with a whirl of mist beneath it lunged into the sky
Repeating to the darkened clouds another roaring cry,
In freedom pounding hard its wings with fury in its flight
As if to ride the lightning bolts within the shattered night.
Then it was gone. It disappeared into the dark and rain.
Blue Knight wondered when it would reveal itself again,
But now the task before him filled the forefront of his mind.
In stealth he had to search the castle and his lady find...
One instant silhouetted and the next illumined bright,
The driving rain in rivulets awash its armored hide,
The dragon stretched its mighty wings and shrieked as if in pride.
Then with a whirl of mist beneath it lunged into the sky
Repeating to the darkened clouds another roaring cry,
In freedom pounding hard its wings with fury in its flight
As if to ride the lightning bolts within the shattered night.
Then it was gone. It disappeared into the dark and rain.
Blue Knight wondered when it would reveal itself again,
But now the task before him filled the forefront of his mind.
In stealth he had to search the castle and his lady find...
Castle's Keeper is currently on sale for 40% off at Lulu Through February 14th, 2022.
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