The Worm Ouroboros by E. R. Eddison, first published in 1922, is a high fantasy novel set in an imaginary world that blends Elizabethan language with epic myth and adventure. The story follows the heroic Lords of Demonland-Juss, Spitfire, and Goldry Bluszco-as they battle the wicked King Gorice of Witchland. The conflict is driven by a quest for honor, glory, and vengeance. The book is rich in elaborate prose and features intense battles, magical landscapes, and complex political intrigue. Despite its cosmic setting, it's essentially a tale of eternal struggle, where the end loops back to the beginning-like the ouroboros, the serpent that eats its own tail.
It's notable for its archaic, poetic style and for influencing later fantasy authors like Tolkien and C. S. Lewis.
