Quotes from book
The Birthgrave

The Birthgrave

The Birthgrave is a 1975 science fantasy novel by British author Tanith Lee. The novel was Lee's first published novel for adults, and also the first novel in The Birthgrave Trilogy. Inspired by Lee's own personal dreams from her early twenties, the story follows a nameless protagonist through various towns on a journey to discover who she really is and what she is capable of. The Birthgrave received mostly positive reviews and was nominated for the 1975 Nebula Award for best novel.


Tanith Lee photo
Tanith Lee photo

“It’s legend now, but legend is the smoke from the fire, and the wood that the fire consumes is the substance.”

Book Two, Part I “Across the Ring”, Chapter 2 (p. 151)
The Birthgrave (1975)

Tanith Lee photo

“And now, Uastis, get up. This room is architecturally designed to please the eye, and your present position mars it for me.”

Book Two, Part III “The Dark City”, Chapter 2 (p. 191)
The Birthgrave (1975)

Tanith Lee photo
Tanith Lee photo
Tanith Lee photo
Tanith Lee photo
Tanith Lee photo
Tanith Lee photo

“Anxiety grew, the fear that always comes when an established pattern falters.”

Book Two, Part IV “War March”, Chapter 7 (p. 268)
The Birthgrave (1975)

Tanith Lee photo
Tanith Lee photo
Tanith Lee photo
Tanith Lee photo

“Uasti was a good teacher,” he said. “She made you look a little way into yourself, see what you could become.”

Book Three, Part III “Inside the Hollow Star”, Chapter 5 (p. 402)
The Birthgrave (1975)

Tanith Lee photo

“Don’t judge yourself,” he said. “None of us are ever good at it.”

Book Three, Part III “Inside the Hollow Star”, Chapter 5 (p. 402)
The Birthgrave (1975)

Tanith Lee photo

“True beauty is always oddly surprising.”

Book Three, Part II “The Edge of the Sea”, Chapter 2 (p. 353)
The Birthgrave (1975)

Tanith Lee photo

“All my life,” I said, “knowledge has come to me for which I was not ready.”

Book Three, Part III “Inside the Hollow Star”, Chapter 1 (p. 379)
The Birthgrave (1975)

Tanith Lee photo
Tanith Lee photo
Tanith Lee photo
Tanith Lee photo

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