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A map is a window into the story's world, and its secrets. The creativity of the writers (I'm referring to the original writers/creators of the worlds described, and who are cited on every entry) is easy to access with the dictionary approach to this book, as it uses alphabetized brief entries (quarter/half page to several pages). And many were created so long ago. This book collects other worlds past writers have written about -- many times obsure -- and tells of them. It is also a fantastic stimulator of imagination - because of the so many worlds described.
What's real and what's not. Want to write fantasy or science fiction. I am a tough rater. Some reviewers felt that some prominant worlds were left out -- I'm OK with this because it allowed for many others to be included to which I never would have had access. I gave this thick book 4 stars only because I would like included more maps - I love maps (there are a lot already in the book). It is sort of like a travel book (as one reviewer wrote) and the reader (me, you) are being spoken to as if the worlds are real and present, and that if we were to visit them. This is what attracted me to the title initially.
A well developed, richly detailed story can be a map in and of itself because I create the map in my imagination. Very fun. Otherwise, it is a 5. and illustrations. I like maps as part of a fictional story. It has many maps of these worlds, too (all b/w). See in your imagination some of the incredible worlds others have created.
An encyclopedic compendium of all the interesting places that never were; each entry is written like a travelogue in miniature. A perfect gift for any book lover, young or old.
The dictionary's subject matter in itself is of course quite lovely. This is a beautiful and valuable book, exhaustive and informative. There's always a chance that a reference might be missing but for each one that's missing you'll certainly find a dozen others that even your wildest imagination could not place.
Also get a copy of "An Atlas of Fantasy" by Jeremiah Post, which is devoted to reproductions of authentic imaginary maps. Fairyland is documented with Bernard Sleigh's wonderful "Ancient Map of Fairyland" in a two-page spread, Tolkien's famous maps and some private conworlds and con-countries such as Thomas Williams Malkin's "Allestone" are included. The maps in this book are generic line drawings, informative but unenchanting, and I can only guess that the authors were unable to negotiate reprinting permissions. Maps are everything when exploring imaginary places; they provide atmosphere as well as information. Some entries that appeared in the original are omitted from the new edition. Somewhat disappointed with this "newly updated and expanded" edition. For a book on imaginary places, it's surprising how little space was allocated to Fairyland, especially when compared with the several-pages-long entry on Hogwarts. We suggest buying a copy of the original 1980 edition along with the current one; the older book may not have Hogwarts, but it casts its own spell.
It does leave out three imaginary places, however: Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory. (These last three could have provided good descriptions of the many circles and denizens that Dante portrayed). A well-written and entertaining book. And of course their Dantean equivalents: Paradiso, Purgagorio, and Inferno.
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