''Lifelode'' is a 2009

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy literature and d ...

novel by

Jo Walton Jo Walton (born 1964) is a Welsh and Canadian fantasy and science fiction writer and poet. She is best known for the fantasy novel ''Among Others'', which won the Hugo and Nebula Awards in 2012, and '' Tooth and Claw'', a Victorian era novel ...

, published by

NESFA Press NESFA Press is the publishing arm of the New England Science Fiction Association, Inc. The NESFA Press primarily produces three types of books: * Books honoring the guest(s) of honor at their annual convention, Boskone, and at some Worldcons and ...

, with an introduction by

Sharyn November Sharyn November is an American writer and an editor of books for children and teenagers. Until March 2016 she was Senior Editor for Viking Children's Books and Editorial Director of Firebird Books, which is a mainly paperback (reprint) imprint p ...

Setting

In a land where the rules governing thought, magic, and even the flow of time are dependent on how far east or west one is, Taveth (who has the power to see present, past, and future all superimposed) is the housekeeper at Applekirk Manor in the Marches, just far east enough for small magic to work.

Reception

''Lifelode'' won the 2010 Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Adult Literature, and was included on the "honor list" for the 2009 James Tiptree, Jr. Award.

Paul Kincaid Paul Kincaid (born 22 September 1952 in Oldham, Lancashire) is a British science fiction critic. Career Kincaid's writing has appeared in a wide range of publications including New Scientist, Times Literary Supplement, Literary Review, New York ...

described it as "ingenious" and "a huge novel on a small scale", and compared its portrayal of everyday life continuing even in the presence of "something amazing" to

W.H. Auden Wystan Hugh Auden (; 21 February 1907 – 29 September 1973) was a British-American poet. Auden's poetry was noted for its stylistic and technical achievement, its engagement with politics, morals, love, and religion, and its variety in ...

's '' Musée des Beaux Arts''.Lifelode by Jo Walton
, by

, at ''

Strange Horizons ''Strange Horizons'' is an online speculative fiction magazine. It also features speculative poetry and nonfiction in every issue, including reviews, essays, interviews, and roundtables. History and profile It was launched in September 2000, and ...

''; published 28 May 2010; retrieved 5 May 2014

References

{{Jo Walton 2009 British novels Novels by Jo Walton NESFA Press books 2009 Canadian novels Welsh fantasy novels Canadian fantasy novels