St. James Guide to Fantasy Writers Edition 1. - Hardcover

9781558622050: St. James Guide to Fantasy Writers Edition 1.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1558622055 ISBN 13: 9781558622050

Publisher: St. James Press, 1995

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Here's a sample of the writers you'll find in this unique reference:

Robert E. Howard

Michael Moorcock

David Eddings

Terry Pratchett

J.R.R. Tolkien

Ursula LeGuin

Raymond E. Feist

Stephen R. Donaldson

Tad Williams

Lord Dunsany

C.S. Lewis

And many others

A complete title index provides fast and easy access to the user's entry of interest. Also look for an appendix of foreign-language writers, notes on advisors and contributors and a comprehensive reading list for fantasy enthusiasts.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

From Booklist:

Covering 400 writers identified with the fantasy genre, this is the first volume in an anticipated two-volume set. Volume 2 will cover writers in the horror and gothic field.

The vast majority of writers here are from English-speaking countries, but 11 foreign writers such as Hans Christian Andersen are included in a separate section. Entries are in alphabetical order with brief biographical information, a bibliography of works in fantasy and other genres, and a critical signed essay about the writer. For example, the entry on Mark Helprin has brief facts on his life and a list of his fantasy works, short stories, and other publications. The critical article by Paul Di Filippo is a page in length. The guide ends with an extensive reading list on fantasy literature, a nationality index, and a title index, which includes novels and short stories listed as fantasy as well as series and series characters.

The line between fantasy, science fiction, and horror is very thin. More than 100 of the authors in this book are also included in St. James Guide to Science Fiction Writers (4th ed., 1996). The essays in each volume are different, but the works lists are essentially the same, although arranged differently to focus on either fantasy or science fiction. Several people one might expect to find in the fantasy volume, such as Anne McCaffrey and Jack Chalker, are only in the science fiction volume. More than 50 of the fantasy writers are also found in Scribner's Supernatural Fiction Writers (1985). Many of the authors can be found in Contemporary Authors and similar reference works, but the difference can be seen by focusing on Mark Twain's entry. The essay on Twain by Gary Westfahl shows that Twain fits comfortably in fantasy and questions those who class some of his works, such as A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, as early science fiction.

St. James Guide to Fantasy Writers will be useful both for research on fantasy writers as well as for the casual reader who is curious about an author. It will be an asset to any library that needs additional information on this genre.

Review:

"A quite thorough reference source. A valuable reference tool."
-- ORANA: Australia's National Journal of School & Children's Librarianship (May 1997) (19970501)

"Provides a much-needed source of information on writers in the fantasy genre. Recommended for all academic and larger public libraries."
-- American Reference Books Annual [1997] (19970901)

"A quite thorough reference source. A valuable reference tool."
-- ORANA: Australia's National Journal of School & Children's Librarianship (May 1997) "An admirable reference work, much recommended for libraries, specialist bookshops and all enthusiasts of and for the fantasy genre. One of the best single sources to the field."
-- Colin Steele, Librarian, The Australian National University Library (19970501)

"Highly recommended for its comprehensive information in the field of fantasy fiction. A must buy for academic and public libraries."
-- RQ (Winter 1996) (19961201)

"To read through the essays is to journey through the landscape of fantastic fiction in all its complexity. Scholars and loyal readers will enjoy making new discoveries as well as finding faithful old friends. All levels."
-- CHOICE (July/August 1996) (19960701)

"Will be useful both for research on fantasy writers as well as for the casual reader. Will be an asset to any library that needs additional information on this genre."
-- Booklist (05/01/96) (19960501)

"A mammoth reference book that supplies a brief biography, a list of major supplies a brief biography, a list of major works, and a critical essay on each of several hundred authors."
-- Washington Post (04/28/96) (19960428)

"Useful reference/sourcebook that should delight sf and fantasy aficionados. An A-to-Z compendium of major fantasy writers. An essential reference purchase."
-- Library Journal (04/15/96)

(19960415)

"Breaks new ground in the reference coverage of fantasy literature."
-- Rettig on Reference (04/03/96) (19960403)

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