Alan Garner was born and still lives in Cheshire, an area which has had a profound effect on his writing and provided the seed of many ideas worked out in his books. His fourth book, ‘The Owl Service' brought Alan Garner to everyone's attention. It won two important literary prizes – The Guardian Award and the Carnegie Medal – and was made into a serial by Granada Television. It has established itself as a classic and Alan Garner as a writer of great distinction.
'A remarkable feat of literary imagination' Sunday Times 'A work of terrible beauty' Observer 'Strandloper's vision is cosmic and as elusive as a rainbow… The ending gathers the words into a powerful cry for wisdom that recognises the ineffable' Sydney Morning Herald 'A novel as uncompromising and bright as anything this talented author has ever produced' Daily Telegraph 'I know of little in recent fiction more moving than the final section of this novel… Garner's ambitious subject is matched by an astounding mastery of technique' New Statesman 'Garner is his own man … taut, powerful, credible' Penelope Lively, Independent