This authoritative A-Z constitutes an essential source of information for all who dare to venture into the imaginative hinterlands. It provides acute insights into such mysteries as how HORSES reproduce, the varying types of VIRGIN and the importance of CLOAKS to those wondering about going on a quest with a fellowship (of the Ring or otherwise). Features include: * A map. * Lively background on those you will meet, including: BARBARIAN HORDES, lots and lots of wild-seeming people advancing under a cloud of dust in order to devastate more civilised parts and ELVES, who claim they did not evolve like humans . . . Certainly there seems to be no such thing as the Elvish ancestral ape. * Full details on the catering arrangements: BEER always foams and is invariably delivered in tankards. What do you mean, 'it tastes awful'? The Management is not concerned with the taste of it. That is your funeral. * Useful hints on coping in Fantasyland: ARMOUR is generally regarded as cheating. TORTURE is obligatory at some stage.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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"An A-Z of fantasy tropes, motifs and cliches. Blindingly funny." (Jon Courtenay Grimwood The Guardian )
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Diana Wynne Jones is Britain's foremost writer of children's fantasy, including the World Fantasy Award-nominated Archer's Goon, which was made into a six-part BBC TV series, and the Guardian Award-winning Charmed Life.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This book is laid out as an encyclopedia to help tourists in Fantasy Land. It lampoons classic stereotypes found in fantasy novels, including those written by Diana Wynne Jones.
A previous reviewer got the impression that the book is about fantasy role playing games, which is not the case. Certain entries refer to "pamphlets" which actually means "fantasy novels" as is obvious when reading the entries that imply that your tour will last through three pamphlets. The convention of writing in the second person and addressing the reader as a person who will actually, physically travel into fantasy land may have confused this reviewer.
In any case, I'm having great fun both reading the book and applying its categorizations to other fantasy books I'm reading and have read.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is great fun. Diana Wynne Jones gives a comprehensive run down on all the cliches of fantasy fiction, including musings on the unique properties of horses in Fantasyland, the origins of elves, and why fantasy characters don't wear socks.
It really is very, very funny, and it's also a good guide to what to avoid if you're thinking of writing your own fantasy epic.
It really is very, very funny, and it's also a good guide to what to avoid if you're thinking of writing your own fantasy epic.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By S. A. Harvey
Format:Paperback
This is a dictionary of everything you may find on your travels through fantasy novels. The entries on the different qualities of such items as swords, cups, jewels and other talismans was hilarious. buy this book if you love fantasy novels. Much as I love them, there are so many silly things in them, and Diana Wynne Jones sends them up beautifully. You can't get cross with her if she does ridicule something you have a sneaking love for, because she writes this kind of thing herself.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Dictionary of sorts
This little book is an excellent guide to the world of Fantasy particularly in regard to games playing and Sword and Sorcery style fiction. Read more
Published 22 days ago by Mrs. P. Archell-thompson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Priceless.
DWJ is sorely missed. This is a companion to her own fictional send-ups of pulp fantasy, 'The Dark Lord of Derkholm' and 'Year of the Griffin', written with the same sense of... Read more
Published 6 months ago by jat
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic for Writers
This is a must have book for any writer of fantasy. It will bust any clichés which have made their way into your work.
Published 6 months ago by Wolfchild
5.0 out of 5 stars
Necessary item in luggage
Do you read Fantasy, and do you have a sense of humor? This is an _absolutely can't do without_ type of item in your luggage for your next foray into the realms of the... Read more
Published on 18 April 2007 by Gry Heidi Nordhagen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hilarious
Absolutely a must read for those who like parodies, it's also a plus if you like fantasy novels as I found myself nodding along at some points. Read more
Published on 21 April 2005 by Mr. Daniel W. Weinberg
5.0 out of 5 stars
No fantasy novel will ever be the same again!
Add fun to your perusal of fantasy literature by acquiring and examining this essential guide! A wickedly funny look at cliches and conventions of fantasy writing, presented as a... Read more
Published on 12 Dec 2002 by Anica
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not what I expected
Disappointment. I bought this expecting a book about fantasy novels (having read and enjoyed some of the author's), but it turns out to be a book about fantasy role-playing... Read more
Published on 26 July 2000
5.0 out of 5 stars
You will never read fantasy with a straight face again
This alphabetical guide to travelling in Fantasyland has everything you need - Official Management Terms (trademark); all the people you will ever meet; The Map; and the... Read more
Published on 27 July 1999
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