The Tale of the Dark Crystal

by Donna Bass, Bruce McNally (Illustrator)

On a faraway planet, Jen, the last of the Gelflings, is given the mission of restoring a missing shard to the great Crystal and preventing the tragedy of a Skeksis triumph when the Three Suns merge.

Genres: Fantasy, Picture Books, Childrens

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Misha · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books in 1-st-2nd grade. I have a letter that the illustrator wrote back to me from England. I was a Dark Crystal-obsessed child!

[Fayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 10 year old son is an EXTREMELY reluctant reader. This year at school they are required to read independently 30 minutes per day, so I loaned him this little illustrated book that I bought when I was 10 and the movie came out. He LOVED IT, and tells me it is the best book ever. I think that the following appealed to him: fast paced action, 3rd person perspective; the people matter but it didn't dwell overly on their feelings and emotions, fairly clear, simple language, interesting back story, not on earth (something uncommon).

I re read it imagining that I was my son, and I noticed that it was one thing after the next, nothing unnecessary. Certainly not the fleshed out character story that I like, but them I'm a 40+ reading woman not a 10 year old boy who dislikes reading.

[Heidi *Bookwyrm Babe, Voyeur of Covers, Caresser of Spines, Unashamed Smut Slut, the Always Sleepy Wyrm of the Stacks, and Drinker of Tea and Wine* · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Tale of the Dark Crystal is based on The Dark Crystal, a Jim Henson film.

Let me start off by saying that this book was a staple of my childhood. I remember when the film came out and when I got the VHS for one of my single digit birthdays (I think I was 6) and not long after I got the clothbound/hardcover book.

The text is by Donna Bass and the illustrations are by Bruce McNally. For what I consider a book that may or may not have been intended for children, as an adult I still love this book. The story is well written and the illustrations are beautifully done.

For those that don't know the story or film... I will edit this in a little bit when I have time to write an overview.

For those that do know the story and film, greetings my friends, what are your favorite parts of either version?

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up randomly after noticing it in the children's section of the public library since I enjoyed the film so much as a child. The book definitely took me back to that time. It's divided into chapters, so it's not appropriate for younger children, but those with a bit more of an attention span. Although, it would be fun to just look at the pictures and maybe read a little of the story here and there before or after watching the film with younger children. Both the author and illustrator of the book are involved with Jim Henson productions (or the Muppet Press), so they knew what they were doing when they created this book.

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

The inside front cover and facing page have a map of sorts of The World of the Dark Crystal, although it's impossible to determine the distances between locations.

The artwork is pretty good for a children's book. The story is told in six chapters, although none of the pages are numbered which, in my opinion, they should have been.

This is a hardbound book and is pretty well done as a book for younger readers.

[Jennifer]

I watched the movie just recently (again) and I'm still blown away by how amazing the puppetry and story are. Incredible.

I was given this book by my (older) cousin, who had seen the movie, and I had not, because I was too young, and some of the themes in the movie still creep me out. The illustrations are beautiful, and very much in keeping with Jim Henson's high quality of creations for the young and old.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the book version of Jim Hensen's Dark Crystal movie. Most of the plot is the same but a few things have been changed.

The basic plot is that there were three races on the planet but when the crystal cracked, one of the races split into two - creating one good race and one evil race. The time is coming when the crystal can be repaired again and there is only one person who can do it.

[April Helms · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this ages ago. Really enjoyed it. Loved the colorful illustrations especially. It follows the plot of the movie well.

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A children's book of a movie I loved as a child. Plus, the watercolors are gorgeous.

[Anna Kate Maxwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the story, but I wish it were longer and more fleshed out.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those who want to delve more into the Dark Crystal world! And also have a better understanding of the story line because when you're a little kid sometimes trying to understand that the Skeksis and UrRu creature connections is difficult. I enjoyed the illustrations, and how it all brings the story into a more coherent understanding for me as an adult.

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is quite a long children's book. It also has pictures. It does a great job of telling the whole story. I had a love fear relationship with this movie/book. It scared and disturbed me while I also loved the part with Jen the Gelfling.

[wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

cool to have but this does not translate well to the written story. would be even worse if it was a novelization & not just a picturebook.

[Lois · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slightly dry retelling but not as stilted as the film itself (sorry but the show is better ) with lovely art.

[Steffi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for any fan of The Dark Crystal franchise. This lovely short book is full of beautiful illustrations and a perfect overview of the overall story not missing any key points.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Tale of the Dark Crystal is a written adaptation of the 1982 movie "The Dark Crystal" geared towards young children. Those who have seen the movie or read A.C.H. Smith's novelization, will recognize that this version is faithful to the "canon," but told in a way that younger readers can digest. The illustrations are nice. Anyone expecting the unique Froud art may be surprised at the more conventional illustrations, but they serve this version of "The Dark Crystal" well enough. Great gateway book for introducing young readers or people new to the world of Thra and the Dark Crystal.

[Belle Meade School]

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