Lud-in-the-Mist by Hope Mirrlees

Lud-in-the-Mist is a 1926 fantasy novel by Hope Mirrlees, set in the orderly town of Lud-in-the-Mist, which borders the magical land of Fairyland. The story follows Mayor Nathaniel Chanticleer as he confronts the forbidden fairy fruit smuggled into his town, forcing him to reconcile his rational world with the encroaching magic and challenge his society's denial of the fantastic. It's considered a classic of the fantasy genre, praised for its rich prose, imaginative storytelling, and exploration of themes like reality, imagination, and the human condition.