Fascinating, Terry! Lord of the Rings left me cold, too - so it's a bit of a shame that I'd committed to write an extended essay on Tolkien's use of symbolism in ALL THREE BOOKS of the trilogy when I was fifteen. It nearly killed me.
Neither sci-fi nor fantasy are my first choice when I enter a library or a bookshop, but I'll never say never!
Thank you for this exploration of what sounded like a fascinating exhibition. It's reminded me of an exhibition at the RA in the late 1990s of Victorian fairy painting, for which I still have the book. I'm going to dig it out over the weekend to have a look, so thank you for that!
I think there are plenty of people for whom Tolkien is right up their street - and that's great, right, that there is a keen audience for every genre? Books are such a gift to humanity, because there's something for everyone, BUT I don't have the urge to lift any of the LOTR books again myself, trust me. 🤣
And yup, those fairies were dab hands with their paintbrushes! 🤣
This sounds (and looks) really excellent Terry. I wish I could visit it (/wished I'd had time to visit when I was over at xmas).
Also wanted to let you know that I've been working my way through some Borges, and wow, incredible. I purchased the "Labyrinths" collection from Penguin books and it's been a strange, magical and captivating journey so far. The stories I've read have been: Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius, The Garden of Forking Paths, The Lottery of Babel, and Pierre Menard, Author of the Quixote.
All superb, strange, mind-opening. I've had to consult a dictionary a few times too, haha. Excellent stuff. Thanks to you and Kate for the recommendation!
All great stories. I also recommend one called (I think) The sign of the sword; Death and the compass; The secret miracle.
As it happens I have a book of his nonfiction which Elaine bought me years ago, and that's great too. Lovely writing. For example, at the end of his review of Wells' The Invisible Man and The Time Machine he writes: Wells fictions were the first books I read; perhaps they will be the last.
Those stories are all in this collection, so yay. Plus, there are several non-fiction essays at the back, which I'll get to once I've read the fiction. Looking forward to it all.
Very cool exhibition. Something I would never attend but appreciate here on your Stack. (I’m not a fan of fantasy or sci fi.) I do admire those who can write in those genres. The pictures are beautiful.
I know. I’m odd. Plus I’m married to a guy who only reads sci fi ever since he was a kid. I like sci fi movies or TV shows if the characters are well developed. Jeffrey will test out the show first then let me know if I will like it. Hehe.
I loved The Matrix, The Martian and the TV show Serenity which became a movie. You?
The Matrix, defo. Anything involving time travel; War of the Welds; That well-known medical trilogy, Back to the Suture; I don't know Serenity. Your husband is clearly a man of intellect and refined tastes.
Jeff just corrected me. TV show called Firefly and the movie is Serenity. Firefly was cancelled after 1 season. Fans were so upset the producers made the movie, Serenity.
Wow, this is so cool! Thank you so much for sharing this exhibit with me!
Thanks Elle 😊
That map of fairyland is awesome. Also my gf and I were talking about Queen Mab only the other day!
😀
Fascinating, Terry! Lord of the Rings left me cold, too - so it's a bit of a shame that I'd committed to write an extended essay on Tolkien's use of symbolism in ALL THREE BOOKS of the trilogy when I was fifteen. It nearly killed me.
Neither sci-fi nor fantasy are my first choice when I enter a library or a bookshop, but I'll never say never!
Thank you for this exploration of what sounded like a fascinating exhibition. It's reminded me of an exhibition at the RA in the late 1990s of Victorian fairy painting, for which I still have the book. I'm going to dig it out over the weekend to have a look, so thank you for that!
Thanks Rebecca. I thought it was just me, because so many people rave about it.
Your book sounds interesting. I didn't know fairies painted.
I think there are plenty of people for whom Tolkien is right up their street - and that's great, right, that there is a keen audience for every genre? Books are such a gift to humanity, because there's something for everyone, BUT I don't have the urge to lift any of the LOTR books again myself, trust me. 🤣
And yup, those fairies were dab hands with their paintbrushes! 🤣
This sounds (and looks) really excellent Terry. I wish I could visit it (/wished I'd had time to visit when I was over at xmas).
Also wanted to let you know that I've been working my way through some Borges, and wow, incredible. I purchased the "Labyrinths" collection from Penguin books and it's been a strange, magical and captivating journey so far. The stories I've read have been: Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius, The Garden of Forking Paths, The Lottery of Babel, and Pierre Menard, Author of the Quixote.
All superb, strange, mind-opening. I've had to consult a dictionary a few times too, haha. Excellent stuff. Thanks to you and Kate for the recommendation!
All great stories. I also recommend one called (I think) The sign of the sword; Death and the compass; The secret miracle.
As it happens I have a book of his nonfiction which Elaine bought me years ago, and that's great too. Lovely writing. For example, at the end of his review of Wells' The Invisible Man and The Time Machine he writes: Wells fictions were the first books I read; perhaps they will be the last.
Dictionary: absolutely!
Those stories are all in this collection, so yay. Plus, there are several non-fiction essays at the back, which I'll get to once I've read the fiction. Looking forward to it all.
Enjoy!
A lovely way to fill a few hours. Some amazing exhibits! Thanks Terry.
They were very intriguing.:-)
Wow! What a fine day out. Beautiful job in describing this exhibit, Terry. How I wish I could have been with you.
Thanks, Sharron!
Very cool exhibition. Something I would never attend but appreciate here on your Stack. (I’m not a fan of fantasy or sci fi.) I do admire those who can write in those genres. The pictures are beautiful.
I wouldn't normally attend such an exhibition either, but it was the drawing on the banner that drew me indie the one on the book cover
Amazing drawing.
Indeed!
Thanks Carissa. You don't like sci fi? 🥺
I know. I’m odd. Plus I’m married to a guy who only reads sci fi ever since he was a kid. I like sci fi movies or TV shows if the characters are well developed. Jeffrey will test out the show first then let me know if I will like it. Hehe.
I loved The Matrix, The Martian and the TV show Serenity which became a movie. You?
The Matrix, defo. Anything involving time travel; War of the Welds; That well-known medical trilogy, Back to the Suture; I don't know Serenity. Your husband is clearly a man of intellect and refined tastes.
Haha.
Jeff just corrected me. TV show called Firefly and the movie is Serenity. Firefly was cancelled after 1 season. Fans were so upset the producers made the movie, Serenity.
Wait! You miss exhibitions, but not me??? Typical