In a series of incisive interviews, Leonard S. Marcus engages thirteen master storytellers in spirited conversation about their life and work, providing inspiring reading for fantasy fans and future writers alike. What kind of child were you? When did you decide you wanted to be a writer? Why do you write fantasy? "Fantasy," writes Leonard S. Marcus, "is storytelling with the beguiling power to transform the impossible into the imaginable and to reveal our own 'real' world in a fresh and truth-bearing light." Few have harnessed this power with the artistry, verve, and imagination of the authors encountered in this compelling book. How do they work their magic? Finely nuanced and continually revealing, Leonard S. Marcus's interviews range widely over questions of literary craft and moral vision, as he asks thirteen noted fantasy authors about their pivotal life experiences, their literary influences and work routines, and their core beliefs about the place of fantasy in literature and in our lives.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
Good addition to a collection:
The Wand in the Word is a wonderful compilation of interviews with some of the major voices in fantasy literature today. Leonard Marcus begins his introduction by telling us that fantasy writers have not enjoyed the spotlight until recently. This is surprising because fantasy has been in existence for a very long time, not the least of which was Alice's Adventures in Wonderland published in 1865. It is only in more recent years that the Fantasy genre has enjoyed greater popularity and acceptance. Marcus has... more info
Great read for all ages:
In THE WAND IN THE WORD, Leonard Marcus, a respected children's book historian, biographer and critic, has compiled a series of interviews with thirteen well-known fantasy writers, ranging from old favorites, Madeleine L'Engle and Ursula Le Guin, to more recent authors, such as Franny Billingsley and Garth Nix. Marcus' interviews capture what fantasy means to each author, as well as important life and work experiences, writing routines, and how book and character ideas develop. The basic interviews follow... more info
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!:
If you are a reader of fantasy, an aspiring writer, or simply an avid book-lover, don't miss this book! The Wand in the Word gives you insights on 13 different authors and their lives and work routines, including Brian Jacques, Diana Wynne Jones, Susan Cooper and Lloyd Alexander. The authors tell how World War II, reading The Lord of the Rings for the first time, or listening to their grandparents tell stories affected the different authors and their careers in different ways. One of my favorite quotes from... more info
A fascinating and inspiring look at fantasy authors:
This is one of the most interesting and inspirational books that I've read in a long time. Through the interviews and profiles, Marcus' masterfully brings out the best in each author, providing a fascinating look at some of the leading authors in the fantasy genre. Find out how Lloyd Alexander's experiences in the military during World War II influenced his writing, or how Diana Wynne Jones kept Tolkein from finishing The Lord of the Rings! It's inspiring to read about how authors are regular people who... more info
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