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60th out of 78 books
—
103 voters
The Mystery of The Fool and The Vanisher
From the creator of FAIRIE-ALITY, an eerie tale-within-a-tale weaves stunning photographs into a thrilling, time-shifting mystery that leaves readers questioning what is real.
Some say the English Downs are haunted by fairy creatures — and that those who find a flint stone with a hole through it can look into the fairies' realm. It is just such a stone that leads photograph...more
Some say the English Downs are haunted by fairy creatures — and that those who find a flint stone with a hole through it can look into the fairies' realm. It is just such a stone that leads photograph...more
Hardcover, 104 pages
Published
September 9th 2008
by Candlewick Press
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Sometimes I’ll give a speech at events or conferences about children’s books that break barriers. I’ll talk about titles that don’t neatly slot into award categories and, as a result, end up ignored and discarded in spite of their overall fabulousness. But for a couple months now I haven’t found a new title to add to this talk. Leave it to Candlewick to publish something to fill this unspeakable need. Now the names “David and Ruth Ellwand” together are perhaps best known for the picture book Mi...more
I accidentally discovered this book when I was browsing through the Children's section of the bookstore. I've already told myself that I was just there to browse for the day and not to buy anything when the cover caught my eye.
At first I thought it was a ghost story and I was wondering why it was in the children's section in the first place (right beside the coloring books and the dinosaur books). I read the jacket and was pleasantly surprised to find out it was about Faeries. Yup, that one wor...more
At first I thought it was a ghost story and I was wondering why it was in the children's section in the first place (right beside the coloring books and the dinosaur books). I read the jacket and was pleasantly surprised to find out it was about Faeries. Yup, that one wor...more
The concept of combining photography and journal writing about a mysterious journey discovering a chest full of "weird" stuff is quite cool. The first half of the book was eerie, revealing lots of photos of woods that looked like you will get lost in it.
Wonderful photographs that leads the reader throughout the first half of the story. Quite a creative way to start the journal with. Snipets of contact prints (Ilfor FP4 Plus) showing the dark, misty woods with weird looking tress. It was nice sh...more
Wonderful photographs that leads the reader throughout the first half of the story. Quite a creative way to start the journal with. Snipets of contact prints (Ilfor FP4 Plus) showing the dark, misty woods with weird looking tress. It was nice sh...more
I came across this wonderful little book while on my daily routine at the store in the bargain bin. What drew me in were the gorgeous photographs and the rather interesting premise! I didn't intend to start the book until the weekend but after two pages, I couldn't put it down and ended up reading the whole thing in one nite (granted it's only a 104 pgs). It has got to be one of the strangest and involving books I've read in quite some time. It also had me a little bit creeped out! I think the o...more
Wicked cool! I guess you'd call this fictional photography. The Fool & the Vanisher uses photos, illustrations, and a small amount of text to tell a story. It's a historical paranormal mystery. The highlight are the amazing images. Yes, I know they're doctored, but they're still super cool.
If you're not into spending the cash on this book and don't check out books from the library, just pick it up at your local bookstore and find a quiet spot for a minute. Reading this book takes 30 minutes...more
If you're not into spending the cash on this book and don't check out books from the library, just pick it up at your local bookstore and find a quiet spot for a minute. Reading this book takes 30 minutes...more
The book included so many elements I love: art photography... mysterious woods... hidden, possibly magical, objects... archaeology... Victorian fairy lore... collage...
Yet somehow it managed to be pretty mediocre.
It starts off well, with Ellwand's misty tree photos, which are really quite lovely and atmospheric. And the story-line concept of Ellwand learning about the Victorian photographer getting a job with an archaeological dig and disturbing the supernatural had plenty of potential. However...more
This book does not really fit neatly into any category or genre. It's a fake nonfiction and fakumentary. I was really intrigued and enjoyed the book all the way -- until the disappointing ending -- it just... ended. Yes, I know, it is supposed to be "mysterious" but it reads more like that ending of the 3rd Matrix movie: everything has been intriguing and mysterious and it builds up the anticipation of the audience/reader, thinking that something big, enlightening, or some form of epiphany await...more
Ellwand, David and Ruth. 2008. The Mystery of the Fool & The Vanisher.
At just a little over a hundred pages, The Mystery of the Fool & The Vanisher is a perfect way to begin Carl's R.I.P. Challenge. The book evokes all these deliciously dark and creepy vibes. It's a mood piece, really, when I come to think of it. First, it's a work of fiction. I state this clearly because it is one of those works that presents itself like a journal. In this case, it would be a journal within a journal. O...more
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Reviewed by Candace Cunard for TeensReadToo.com
David Ellwand has always been fascinated by the Downs. This rolling landscape of open plains and beech trees, with its legends about faeries and other fantastic creatures, has always excited him. He never quite believes in the legends, but one day he discovers a flint stone with a hole naturally worn through the center, a stone which, when looked through, will allow him to see the creatures around him that cannot be perceived by the naked eye. One d...more
David Ellwand has always been fascinated by the Downs. This rolling landscape of open plains and beech trees, with its legends about faeries and other fantastic creatures, has always excited him. He never quite believes in the legends, but one day he discovers a flint stone with a hole naturally worn through the center, a stone which, when looked through, will allow him to see the creatures around him that cannot be perceived by the naked eye. One d...more
The big draw (and, really, highlight) of The Mystery of the Fool and the Vanisher will probably be the photographs, bring the reader through misty woods that look and feel haunted by... something. Here, it's fae that watch the woods.
This is in the class of so many other faux-historical books that "document" some sort of brush with the supernatural. It shines in the quality of the evidence presented. Gorgeous atmospheric photographs, carefully constructed artifacts, and a storyline that is open,...more
This is in the class of so many other faux-historical books that "document" some sort of brush with the supernatural. It shines in the quality of the evidence presented. Gorgeous atmospheric photographs, carefully constructed artifacts, and a storyline that is open,...more
I love books that leave you wondering how much was true and how much was created by the author. In this case, photographs aid in telling the story of the mysterious trunk discovered by David Ellwand. The trunk holds the secrets of another photographer who long ago discovered the hidden world of a very real "faerie hill" in England. Eerie and compelling, this would be a great read for any lover of the mysterious or for those who still believe in a not-so-magical Faerieland...
I just picked this up off the display near the teens section in the library and was intrigued by the photographs. I set it aside for my weekend reading and gobbled it up in one go over afternoon tea. I really liked the premise, and the photography is superb. It probably deserves a second or third reading. Initially I was disappointed that it was so short, but on reflection that allows the reader to use their imagination. Nicely done.
An interesting look at the perpetually fascinating obsession of faeries and such magic folk. Clever photography to make things seem even more enticingly real (to those that want to believe) and a innovative journalling format help to make this book seem like it's the real MacCoy!! I really loved the depth of 'deception' of the story .... and how the pictures really make it even more convincing.
Where should this live in the library? 770's (books on photography)? 398.245's (books on faeries)? JF's (juvenile fiction)? YA's (young adult fiction)? The 100 pages can be read in an hour or less. My primary interest in the book were the journal dates. I was able to ascertain that my grandmother was born on a Friday.
It is hard to review this, because I still feel like I do not get it. It is impressive nonetheless. I also find it strange that the "kids' books" I have read lately are far more complex than any "adult" book I've come across in recent years.
Aug 08, 2009
Becky
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
4th grade - adult
Recommended to Becky by:
Susan
Eeeeek! So cool and creepy. A journal within a journal...fairies...the English countryside...photographic art...tiny armor made of oyster shells. Give to fans of Spiderwick, or anyone who likes to piece together a story with artifacts and tidbits.
This is one of those books where the photos of artifacts are as important, if not more so, than the text itself. Blended quite well, but the ending was too vague for me. I wanted to know more.
Beautifully creative storytelling with photographs. Ellwand creates such an surreal sense of quiet with his photos, weaving in a delightful tale fit for the English countryside.
May 27, 2013
Elizabeth (Miss Eliza)
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
historical_fiction,
sci-fi_fantasy
Interesting and beautiful book. Like a more Victorian/Lady Cottingly book then Froud's Lady Cottinglay. Reminiscent of the Spiderwick books.
Very gorgeous, cool, and creepy. Is it really a children's book? I'm not so sure about that - maybe older kids. Very atmospheric. Great photos.
I love the photography element to this story. It's been awhile since I read Fairie-ality Style (definitely a feast for the eyes).
This book is full of beautiful photographs, but the story is only mildly interesting, at least to me. A photographer finds a mysterious looking glass (the vanisher) through which he can see faeries. The story is pretty short, a journal inside a journal.
"This intriguing, perhaps slightly unsettling tale can inspire discussion about perception and different ways of seeing". SLJ
The story is a bit strange, but the photos are amazing. The overall effect is hard to explain - I'll just say unique (in a good way.)
Was like reading a museum but very well designed book with a twist. Not sure how to sell it to kids though. A bit sophisticated.
Recommended by Catherine- As her boys found it- very spooky without being really scary. Awesome photographs
What a strange and haunting book.
I'm super curious now to see the other books this husband and wife team have created.
This is of course, fiction. But the photography lends an eerie sense of reality to the story. If you enjoy stories about the fae ... this is one not to miss.
Loved this line from page 24 ... "When the lid opened, the sweet smell of age, like an old library, was the first thing I noticed."
PS Don't stick with my review. Go back to the book's page and look for Elizabeth Bird's revie...more
I'm super curious now to see the other books this husband and wife team have created.
This is of course, fiction. But the photography lends an eerie sense of reality to the story. If you enjoy stories about the fae ... this is one not to miss.
Loved this line from page 24 ... "When the lid opened, the sweet smell of age, like an old library, was the first thing I noticed."
PS Don't stick with my review. Go back to the book's page and look for Elizabeth Bird's revie...more
A very simple but interesting short read, and the pictures were amazing.
I really enjoy reading this alot. It's a book I want to keep and reread it.
The story was fine, but really, I read this for the photographs. Daguerrotypes!
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David Ellwand began his career in photography at the age of eighteen and uses a variety of formats and techniques in his books: black-and-white photographs, collage with hand-tinting, and full-color photography of handmade objects. He is also a mouse trainer, sculptor, and highly skilled self-taught computer artist. He lives with his wife and daughter in a village in West Sussex, England.
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