Tag Archives: Fantasy

The Dwindleberry Zoo

Posted on April 26, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I was today years old when I discovered THE DWINDLEBERRY ZOO by G.E. Farrow (London/Glasgow/Dublin/Bombay: Blackie, 1909) Illustrated by Gordon Browne.  It seems that G.E. Farrow was one of the masters of the Victorian fantasy genre. In this tale a boy eats a … Continue reading →

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The Invention of Fantasy

Posted on October 10, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

The Man Who Invented Fantasy All those wizards, ogres, and barely-clad elf queens in the bookstore? You have Lester del Rey to thank. by Dan Sinykin Lester del Rey wore 1950s-style horn-rimmed glasses, an unruly billy-goat beard, and his silver … Continue reading →

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The Magazine That Never Dies

Posted on February 19, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

This week marks the centennial of the founding of Weird Tales magazine. On February 18, 1923, the first issue of Weird Tales appeared on American newsstands. Subtitled “The Unique Magazine,” it was the first English language magazine dedicated to science fiction, horror, supernatural, … Continue reading →

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Not Dracula

Posted on October 25, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

I am embarrassed to admit that I never read this Bram Stoker fantasy/horror collection. Under the Sunset is a collection of short stories by Bram Stoker (the author of Dracula), first published in 1881. It was illustrated by W. V. Cockburn and William FitzGerald. The stories … Continue reading →

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Oh, but it’s weird and wonderful

Posted on April 9, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

I generally avoid making many reading recommendations as people’s tastes and interests are so varied. However, in these strange days with some much time on our hands, many folks are clamoring for book suggestions. Fortuitously, I stumbled on an endorsement … Continue reading →

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Protecting Fantasy Writers

Posted on December 12, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

h/t Tom Gauld

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There be monsters

Posted on October 22, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Just in time for Halloween, the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library in Toronto has opened De Monstris, an exhibition exploring the long cultural tradition of frightening monsters that inflamed imaginations and triggered irrational fears throughout history. De Monstris examines scary illustrations and writings from … Continue reading →

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