M E N U   Home What is O'Casey's? What's On? This Month's Author Our Readers Photo Gallery Recordings Archives Get Involved!   T A D   W I L L I A M S   "He who is certain he knows the ending of things when he is only beginning them is either extremely wise or extremely foolish; no matter which is true, he is certainly an unhappy man, for he has put a knife in the heart of wonder." Robert Paul 'Tad' Williams, of San Jose in California, is one of the most popular contemporary American authors of fantasy and science fiction literature alive today. His novels cover a broad range of types of fantasy, from traditional to cyberpunk, and he is also a successful writer of graphic novels and literature for young adults. Williams is best known for his epic four-book tetralogies, which include the Memory, Sorrow and Thorn, Otherland and Shadowmarch series, the latter of which is currently in its second volume, Shadowplay. He has also written several standalone fantasy novels, including Tailchaser's Song, Caliban's Hour and The War of the Flowers. Memory, Sorrow and Thorn, Williams' first published series, is a traditional 'Tolkienesque' fantasy based in the world of Osten Ard, a realm on the brink of war with the elf-like and immortal Sithi. The orphan boy Simon sets out on a quest to locate the third of three mythological swords which will bring an end to the conflict. The series was originally a trilogy, namely The Dragonbone Chair, The Stone of Farewell and To Green Angel Tower, with the last novel split into two volumes - Siege and Storm - for reasons of length. Williams' next tetralogy, Otherland, is set in a futuristic world where people are able to connect neurologically to a virtual reality known only as the Net. Children in the real world begin to fall victim to Tandagore Syndrome, a condition which renders them into a deep coma and unable to log off from the Net. Individuals from across the globe find their way into the fabled and secretive 'Otherland' simulation network to find their loved ones. First published in 1996 and written over a period of five years, the series consists of City of Golden Shadow, River of Blue Fire, Mountain of Black Glass and Sea of Silver Light. Shadowmarch, Williams' third tetralogy, is a return to the traditional fantasy style of Memory, Sorrow and Thorn. The series follows the lives of individuals living in the kingdom of Southmarch, to the north of which lies the border known as the 'Shadowline', a mysterious barrier which marks the entrance to the realm of the fairy-folk, the Qar. The Shadowline, dormant for centuries, has begun to creep southwards, bringing an unknown menace with it. When the King of Southmarch is murdered, rule falls to the twins Briony and Barrick Eddon, who must try to hold the kingdom together. The series currently consists of Shadowmarch and Shadowplay, with a further two novels planned. Williams is currently working on a series of young adult books with his wife Deborah Beale, entitled Ordinary Farm. Following the success of the Otherland series, a MMORPG is currently in production with the development studio Real U in Singapore. Official website: http://www.tadwilliams.com/