Geraldine Valerie Whelan (born 2 December 1952), known by the pen name O. R. Melling, is a writer of fantasy novels, mostly for children and young adults. Melling's novels focus on Irish and Celtic folklore. She writes reviews and film scripts as G. V. Whelan.

Early life and education

Melling was born in Ireland, but moved with her family to Toronto, Ontario when she was four.

Melling was educated at Loretto College School in Toronto. She studied philosophy, Celtic Studies and mediaeval history at Trinity College, University of Toronto.

Her influences include Patricia Lynch.

Critical response

The critic Ciara Ní Bhroin has described Melling's novels as "weaving ... modern Canadian protagonists into ancient myth". She identifies a "nostalgic, regressive strain" in The Druid's Tale, and writes that "Melling both confirms and denies traditional portrayals of Ireland and the feminine". Ní Bhroin positions Melling's work within Anglo-Irish literature.

Books

  • The Chronicles of Faerie series (1993–2003)<!-- http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pe.cgi?22277 Chronicles of Faerie perhaps neither worth linking -->

References

  • Biography at Mythic Imagination Institute (mythicjourneys.org)
  • Alumna Spotlight, Geraldine Valerie Whelan, LCS 1970