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Summary: A unique tale..
Review: ...which combines threads from several unexpected directions at once and turns out to be simple and irresistibly charming for most people who read it. However I find it does not have this same effect on everyone: Its quality seems to be to either make you love or hate it in equal measure. Perhaps there are people impervious to charm? I usually buy it second-hand whenever I happen to see it (rarely) as it has that disturbing trait of disappearing from my shelf - anyone borrowing this book invariably never returns it. This particular brand of "real life story with just a bit of magic" is rarely seen - Marion Zimmer Bradley's "House Between The Worlds" comes to mind, as well as Neil Gaiman's very English and funny "Good Omens". And of course all the other equally unique and instructive but perhaps less "charming" books by Rita MacAvoy. To have this book out of print is tragic - particularly after the recent success of the "Harry Potter" series, which also includes that rare combination of elements. What are the publishers waiting for?
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Summary: Tea with the Black Dragon is lyrical and exquisite
Review: A jewel of a novel. Fantasy set in the present day, with strong characters, a delicately realized descriptive style and a sense of dreamlike resonance. It's a crime this book went out of print and I only hope that requests bring it back into print soon. I know I buy it wherever I can find it.
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Summary: exquisite!
Review: an utterly fantastic book! why it's out of stock at all is a mystery to me--it's fantastic! while one wouldn't believe the plotline could be so serious and realistic, somehow he does it!
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Summary: I want to teach this book
Review: As a high school teacher searching for literature which will touch my students, I couldn't ask for more than TWABD. Ms. MacAvoy is a brilliant writer. Her characters are evocative, her writing is pellucid, her imagination is embracing and original. Surely this deserves "classic" status right beside Asimov, Bradley, Clarke, and Dick. So why is it out of print?
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Summary: An unexpected cup of tea!
Review: For those of us who appreciate a tremendously well written, absorbing fun and mentally challenging read that leaves you soaring, this is it! First read this 10 years ago and will never let it leave my bookshelf. I'm planning on reading it with my nephew when he is old enough to appreciate it. Surprise yourself and find this book wherever you can. It is a true joy in an unassumingly slender package.
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Summary: Why is this classic still out of print?
Review: I am a long-time science-fiction reader who only occasionally dabbles in fantasy. That said, TWTBD is my unquestioned favourite. If it was still in print I daresay I'd have bought five or six copies in the last couple of years, because it's a book you simply have to share.It's a crime that it has been out of print for so long.
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Summary: You'll love it!
Review: I cannot start praising this book enough... It is one of my absolute favourite books! Although I read voraciously and my library has in excess of 10.000 books I always find time to read this one from time to time. I feel terrible that it is out of print; I wanted to give it as a gift and it really is not replaceable. This is a unique book and the dragon mentioned in the title a unique character. I'll not spoil it for you revealing anything more about the book - just place an order and hope Amazon can find the book for you. I only wish I could read this book for the first time again!
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Summary: A great Re-Read, even almost 20 years later
Review: I read this book when it first came out in paperback and loved it. The storyline stuck in my mind, especially the character of Mayland Long. Re-read it recently in the e-publish paperback version and still found it a great read. I did notice the "computer" lingo was way out of date and I wish Ruth would update the next edition, and correct the minor flaws that an earlier reviewer pointed out. All in all, STILL a GREAT read, while it's not Shakespeare, it wasn't meant to be... just a fun frolic on a winters day. Me? I'm looking for my own Black Dragon. :-) mary w3
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Summary: A great Re-Read, even almost 20 years later
Review: I read this book when it first came out in paperback and loved it. The storyline stuck in my mind, especially the character of Mayland Long. Re-read it recently in the e-publish paperback version and still found it a great read. I did notice the "computer" lingo was way out of date and I wish Ruth would update the next edition, and correct the minor flaws that an earlier reviewer pointed out. All in all, STILL a GREAT read, while it's not Shakespeare, it wasn't meant to be... just a fun frolic on a winters day. Me? I'm looking for my own Black Dragon. :-) mary w3
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Summary: Charming, warm, beautifully written, ..............
Review: I second all the comments, there is not much else to say except how lucky I was to find it. I too believe that this is a classic and its one of the books that I will always keep. I have reread it several times. It is certainly not one of the stock sword and sorcery sagas that give fantasy a poor reputation. Long may she write!
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