Tarr was born in
Augusta, Maine on January 30, 1955.[1] She is the daughter of Earle A. Tarr, Jr. (a waterworks manager and salesman of real estate), and Regina (a teacher).[2][3][4] She received her B.A. in Latin and English from
Mount Holyoke College in 1976, and has an M.A. in Classics from
Cambridge University, and an M.A. and PhD in Medieval Studies from
Yale University.[5][6] She taught Latin at
Wesleyan University from 1990 to 1993.[7]
She breeds
Lipizzan horses at Dancing Horse Farm, her home in
Vail, Arizona.[6] The romantic fantasies that she writes under the name Caitlin Brennan[8] feature "dancing horses" modeled on those that she raises.[9]
The Hound and the Falcon Trilogy
Tarr's The Hound and the Falcon trilogy (The Isle of Glass, 1985; The Golden Horn, 1985; The Hounds of God, 1986) is a fantasy trilogy set in twelfth and thirteenth century Europe. The trilogy focuses on a race of
Elves with supernatural powers, secretly living in medieval society.[10] The trilogy's main character is Alf, a young monk who is also an Elf. The trilogy features historical personages such as
Francis of Assisi and King
Richard I as characters.[4][10]
Tarr's Epona series of novels (White Mare's Daughter, 1998; The Shepherd Kings, 1999; Lady of Horses, 2000; Daughter of Lir, 2001) is set in prehistoric Europe. The Epona series dramatizes the ideas of archaeologist
Marija Gimbutas about a matriarchal society existing in Paleolithic Europe.[12]
Pseudonyms
Caitlin Brennan, pseudonym used for the White Magic series (The Mountain’s Call and sequels) and House of the Star[8]
Kathleen Bryan, pseudonym used for the War of the Rose series (The Serpent and the Rose and sequels)[8]
^
abcSawyer, Andy. "Tarr, Judith", in the St. James Guide To Fantasy Writers, ed.
David Pringle. London, St. James Press, 1996,
ISBN1-55862-205-5,(pp. 551-2).
^
abKelso, Sylvia. "The God in the Pentagram: Religion and Spirituality in Modern Fantasy".Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts. 18(1) (pgs. 61-82). 2007.