Sean Guynes's Blog

Ballantine Adult Fantasy: Reading “Tolkien: A Look Behind The Lord of the Rings” by Lin Carter

The tenth essay in my Ballantine Adult Fantasy reading series, which looks at Lin Carter's curious non-fiction study Tolkien: A Look Behind The Lord of the Rings (1969), a book that helped pave the way for the BAF series.

Reading “The Forest of Forever” by Thomas Burnett Swann

Thomas Burnett Swann’s The Forest of Forever (1971) is the author's fourth novel, a prequel to his first novel, Day of the Minotaur (1966). It's a mediocre and somewhat messy return to story of Eunostos on Crete but offers some interesting ideas about gender in Swann's oeuvre.

Ballantine Adult Fantasy: Reading “A Fine and Private Place” by Peter S. Beagle

The ninth essay in my Ballantine Adult Fantasy reading series, which looks at Peter Beagle’s first novel, A Fine and Private Place (1960), a rather dull novel about people dealing with death.

Reading “Moondust” by Thomas Burnett Swann

Thomas Burnett Swann’s Moondust (1968) is the author's third novel: a bizarre, partial retelling of the Battle of Jericho that revolves around a society of evil, telepathic fennecs.

Ballantine Adult Fantasy: Reading “A Voyage to Arcturus” by David Lindsay

The eighth essay in my Ballantine Adult Fantasy reading series, which looks at David Lindsay’s A Voyage to Arcturus (1920): a philosophical science fantasy novel about big existential questions, like “who the fuck is Crystalman?!”

Reading “The Weirwoods” by Thomas Burnett Swann

Thomas Burnett Swann’s The Weirwoods (1967) is his second novel, a story of slavery and freedom, of love and grief, set at the waning of Etruscan power in ancient Italy. Come for the ancient historical fantasy, stay for the achingly beautiful meditations on love, loss, and belonging.

Ballantine Adult Fantasy: Reading “Titus Alone” by Mervyn Peake (Gormenghast 3)

The seventh essay in my Ballantine Adult Fantasy reading series, which looks at Mervyn Peake’s Titus Alone (1959), the much maligned third and final novel in the Gormenghast series.

Reading “Day of the Minotaur” by Thomas Burnett Swann

Thomas Burnett Swann’s Day of the Minotaur (1966) is his first novel, a sometimes messy, sometimes saccharine, sometimes poignant novel about the final days of the prehuman mythic beings as human civilization pushes them to extinction.

Ballantine Adult Fantasy: Reading “Gormenghast” by Mervyn Peake (Gormenghast 2)

The sixth essay in my Ballantine Adult Fantasy reading series, which looks at Mervyn Peake’s Gormenghast (1950), the powerful second novel in his Titus series.

Fall 2025 University Press Recommendations

A curated list of recommended books published by university presses and academic publishers in fall 2025. Recommendations tend toward my own interests and books that I think can help make a better world.