The 13 Clocks (Magill’s Guide to Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature)
At a glance:
- Author: James Thurber
- First Published: 1950
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Fantasy—magical world
- Time of Work: Unspecified, but similar to medieval
- Setting: An unnamed island
- Genres: Long fiction, Fantasy
- Subjects: Magic or magicians, Other worlds, Islands, Clocks or watches, Time, Precious metals or stones, Gems, Princes or princesses
- Locales: Islands
The Plot
The wicked, one-eyed duke of Coffin Castle lives in his cold fortress along with his beautiful, warm niece Saralinda. There are thirteen clocks in the castle that stopped marking time at the same moment. The duke hates time; indeed, he believes he has killed it. The only things he loves are his jewels and, apparently, his niece. There have been many suitors for Saralinda, but all failed to pass the terrible tests the duke set for them.
A prince, Zorn of Zorna, disguised as a minstrel, comes to seek Saralinda’s hand. He is helped by the Golux, a little wizard...
[The entire page is 992 words long]
