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11th out of 45 books
—
32 voters
The Encyclopedia of Fantasy
by
John Clute ,
John Grant (Goodreads Author)
This huge volume is the first comprehensive encyclopedia of the fantasy field. Not only does it describe the genre authoritatively, but it redefines it, offering an exciting new analysis of this highly diverse and hugely popular sphere of art. With more than 4,000 entries and over one million words, this volume covers every aspect of fantasy-literature, film, television, o...more
Paperback, 1088 pages
Published
March 15th 1999
by St. Martin's Press
(first published April 1st 1997)
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I was working on an A Level English coursework project about fantasy literature when I came across a cheap copy of The Encyclopedia of Fantasy at a book sale on holiday. The book had been published only a year or so before; a full-price copy would have been well out of my budget, but I could afford to take a chance on the sale copy — and it turned out to be one of the best purchases I ever made.
It’s difficult to put into words just what it felt like to read The Encyclopedia of Fantasy and be sw...more
It’s difficult to put into words just what it felt like to read The Encyclopedia of Fantasy and be sw...more
This book has been an amazing help with all my questions, concerns. It was worth every penny. It is set up like an Encyclopedia with terms listed in alphabetical order. The amazing listings are detailed and list trend settings, novels, television shows and movies. The fantasy race definitions include the origin of the creature (original oral myths and legends), traced their evolution and list important writers and works that have presented them in different ways. This has also been an excellent...more
Another pivotal book in my life. I found a cheap copy in a book sale, at just the right time, when I was really beginning to form my tastes in reading. It opened my eyes to so many books and authors -- and, more importantly, a way of thinking about fantasy fiction that really strucka chord with me. It's great to browse through, too: serious and knowledgeable, but also well-written and even very funny in places.
I still have that copy I bought in the book sale. The spine needs repairing and the ja...more
I still have that copy I bought in the book sale. The spine needs repairing and the ja...more
One of the "must haves" for anyone who collects fantasy or just enjoys reading.
1 like · like · see review
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Jan 07, 2008
Muzzlehatch
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
serious aficionados of the fantasy genres
Shelves:
reference
If there is a better reference work for the fantasy genre, I don't know what it is. This was last updated in the late 90s and the authors have said that it will not be updated in print again -- it will be online only. That's a shame for paper-lovers like me; I cannot tell you how many hours I have spent in the company of this, paging back and forth between entries. Sure, clicking through a website is easier in some ways, but thus far that hasn't materialized. Virtually every writer and novel tha...more
Dec 29, 2012
Allan
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
genre fans who want some meat
Recommended to Allan by:
bought on a whim.
Shelves:
reference,
science-fiction-fantasy
There should be a six star rating for this, it's that good, too. Does your admiration of genre go beyond the level of 'OMG, Tolkien's elves are awesome'. Then this is for you. It's arrangement of entries might not to be everyones liking, but deal... Writing about it makes me want to go home and curl up with for a bit of random browsing.
Bought my copy at Fruggles, which was an overstock and seconds bookstore chain that's gon. and probably cost me $5.
Bought my copy at Fruggles, which was an overstock and seconds bookstore chain that's gon. and probably cost me $5.
Well, I can't say that I've "read" it, per se'... it's an encyclopedia. But, I have read large portions of it and have pored over it for many a happy hour. John Clute has done an amazing job coming up with a reference that is truly "encyclopedic." Anyone who is truly serious about the genre of Fantasy ought to have it on their shelf.
Slightly less out-of-date than its sibling, The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction, and surprisingly broad. It's good to know that fantasy is more than just a sword and a smile.
Good all around source. Includes infromation on authors as well as themese, styles, and stock characters.
An indispensable book for anyone interested in the field.
Need a big book to find all the questions you have about SF and F?
This is it. It's an actual encyclopedia and it's a tome. A perfect antidote for geeks and newbies alike, writer and readers too, and any one curious about almost any element of speculative fiction.
Get your glasses out since the pages are crammed with text, and expect a work out. This is a BIG book.
Its section on fairies was fantastic!
(btw - thanks Seak!)
This is it. It's an actual encyclopedia and it's a tome. A perfect antidote for geeks and newbies alike, writer and readers too, and any one curious about almost any element of speculative fiction.
Get your glasses out since the pages are crammed with text, and expect a work out. This is a BIG book.
Its section on fairies was fantastic!
(btw - thanks Seak!)
May 13, 2009
Nicholas Gourlay
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
any fan
Recommended to Nicholas by:
step father
Shelves:
non-fiction
This book should never be very far from you.
Sure, I haven't read this entire book, but I've read some, and that... is excellent! Very useful and inspiring, in fact, the only problem is that its an encyclopedia from 1997...a lot of water has run under the bridge since then!
I wouldn't mind an updated version...please!
I wouldn't mind an updated version...please!
This and the companion The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction were indispensable in my bookshop. These two books made me appear much smarter than I really am (and they make great geek-out reading. People who own more than two dictionaries will probably know what I mean).
The Encyclopedia of Fantasy is a must have resource for the fan of Fantasy literature.
Jun 15, 2013
Amanda Kearns
marked it as to-read
Jun 08, 2013
Tulpa
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Mark Temple
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Jun 04, 2013
Yi100
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May 29, 2013
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May 25, 2013
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John Frederick Clute (1940- ) is a Canadian born author and critic who has lived in Britain since 1969. He has been described as "an integral part of science fiction's history."
Clute's articles on speculative fiction have appeared in various publications since the 1970s. He is a co-editor of The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction (with Peter Nicholls) and of The Encyclopedia of Fantasy (with John Gra...more
More about John Clute...
Clute's articles on speculative fiction have appeared in various publications since the 1970s. He is a co-editor of The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction (with Peter Nicholls) and of The Encyclopedia of Fantasy (with John Gra...more
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