Fantasy and Horror
A Critical and Historical Guide to Literature, Illustration, Film, TV, Radio, Internet
Published on 17. June 1999
Book
Hardback
832 pages
978-0-8108-3596-2 (ISBN)
Description
Although the fantastic impulse has been embodied in folklore, literature, art, and film, distinguished work has always been uncommon. This guide directs readers and viewers to the best, better, or historically important works of the fantastic imagination, as well as to the scholarship that helps us understand their nature and appeal. Arranged chronologically, narrative introductions provide historical and analytical perspectives on the period or subjects covered while annotated bibliographies describe and evaluate the books and other materials judged most significant for literary, extraliterary, or historical reasons. More than 2,300 works of fiction and poetry are discussed, each cross-referenced to other works with similar or contrasting themes. Winners and nominees for major awards are identified. Books that are part of a series are flagged, with a complete list of books in series included in a final chapter, along with a comprehensive list of awards, of translations, and of young adult and children's books. A chapter on teaching fantasy and horror literature provides aid for teachers of every experience level, from high school through college.
Fantastic illustration, films, TV and radio, and Internet sites are all discussed in detail. Comprehensive, up-to-date, carefully organized with multiple indexes, this guide will appeal to anyone with the slightest interest in fantastic literature, film, or illustration.
Fantastic illustration, films, TV and radio, and Internet sites are all discussed in detail. Comprehensive, up-to-date, carefully organized with multiple indexes, this guide will appeal to anyone with the slightest interest in fantastic literature, film, or illustration.
Reviews / Votes
Scholars, librarians, and general readers will appreciate this expansive and critical review of fantasy and horror literature. Highly recommended for academic and larger public libraries. Choice ...the best primary and secondary literature in the two broad categories of fantasy and horror...recommended for all public and academic collections. Library Journal ...manages to succinctly cover a great deal of territory, and neither area feels compromised. What makes this book particularly helpful is that it covers film, television, radio, magazines, and the Internet. This is important, because the fantasy and horror genres have been pervasive in the popular culture represented by these media. Book Report Barron's book is excellent for supporting horror literature studies and reader's advisory. Booklist 19991115 I would recommend that anyone with a serious interest in fantasy and horror purchase this work. To quote [the Introduction], Fantasy and Horror 'is part of a progressive attempt by the fantasy field to see itself whole, to excavate archaeological layers: to see the invisible world of the past, and the buried and hidden foundations of the present.' Fantasy and Horror succeeds remarkably well in this noble endeavor. Sfra Review ...an invaluable resource. Comprehensive and clearly written and organized, this book belongs on every dedicated fantasy lover's shelf. Publishers Weekly For quick information on any aspect of fantasy and horror fiction, this superlative source will serve well. Voya: Voice Of Youth Advocates ...well organized work with extensive coverage of literature in translation...should prove a welcome addition to the standard references in the field. Ab Bookman's Weekly ...wonderful tome...highly recommended. Interzone Not only passes the test of a useful and usable reference work, but also is a great book for wallowing, browsing, disagreeing with, and getting ideas. Locus ...readerfriendly throughout... recommend it for personal as well as library purchase. Fantasy Commentator ...a model reference book: it is clearly written, exhaustively detailed, user friendly, and thoroughly indexed. Arthuriana Readers interested in horror and fantasy traditions should find this to be an invaluable resource. Religious Studies Review ...a fine starting point for research into the Fantastic. Of particular value are evaluative listings of author studies and an extensive section on fantasy and horror art and illustration...anyone in need of a research topic in the fantastic will find much-needed help here. Foundation ...in-depth overviews of these two fantastic genres...a very useful volume...deeply erudite, shrewdly judgmental, and altogether excellent...one would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else such generous surveys of contemporary fantasy and horror literature...Fantasy and Horror belongs on every scholar's reference shelf... Science Fiction Studies I can't express how ambitious and comprehensive this text is, or how useful, or how overwhelmingly cool. -- Mehitobel Wilson Gothic Net The annotated bibliographies following the overview essays provide summaries and evaluations of the significance of over 2,300 'primary sources,' novels, short stories and poetry by more than 950 authors. Another nine contributed chapters evaluate over 700 secondary sources, research tools, teaching resources and research opportunities in libraries and sub-genres such as film, television, art and comic books. Asterisks used in every section to mark best books are intended as aids to researchers as well as librarians building collections. A final chapter listing awards, best books, series and translations provides additional guidance. Author, subject, title and theme indexes round out an excellent guide. Lawrence Looks At BooksMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Lanham, MD
United States
Illustrations
Bibliography, footnotes, appendix, index
Dimensions
Height: 265 mm
Width: 188 mm
Thickness: 55 mm
Weight
1915 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8108-3596-2 (9780810835962)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Neil Barron has worked in academic, special, and public libraries. He edited four editions of the standard critical guide to science fiction, Anatomy of Wonder, and in 1982 received the Pilgrim award for his overall contributions to SF and fantasy scholarship.