Scan barcode
orsuros's review
4.0
This was an interesting look into how many famous authors write and think. I thought helped inspire me to write more.
ehays84's review
5.0
What an excellent book. I am not quite sure how I hadn't found it sooner, or then gotten around to reading it sooner. Nearly every author in it is a favorite of mine. There were only 3 authors in the book that I haven't read anything by, and most I have read at least 2 or 3 by. It is my own fault for not having read any Diana Wynne Jones yet.
This is a book I will likely return to again and again. For now, I don't have any ambitions to write my own fantasy novel, but being my wife's editor for her novel is pretty close (she read it recently too). This book is very inspirational to continue with this project and to plot more for the future.
Fantasy is so essential to speak to our problems, all the more so during a crisis like this Pandemic. When things happen that are out of our control and understanding, we need fantasy to speak to us in deeper truths. These are the truths that transcend specific circumstances.
Tolkien and Lewis, even though not every single author loves them, still loom large throughout this novel. Even those that don't love them as mature authors still loved them initially and are later working as a counter to their redemptive version of fantasy.
Each of these interviews are excellent. I have a good bit of experience with interviews myself, and I can say that they are very well done. The only thing, really, is that Neil Gaiman belonged in this book. I am sure Marcus wishes he could have gotten him in here.
This is a book I will likely return to again and again. For now, I don't have any ambitions to write my own fantasy novel, but being my wife's editor for her novel is pretty close (she read it recently too). This book is very inspirational to continue with this project and to plot more for the future.
Fantasy is so essential to speak to our problems, all the more so during a crisis like this Pandemic. When things happen that are out of our control and understanding, we need fantasy to speak to us in deeper truths. These are the truths that transcend specific circumstances.
Tolkien and Lewis, even though not every single author loves them, still loom large throughout this novel. Even those that don't love them as mature authors still loved them initially and are later working as a counter to their redemptive version of fantasy.
Each of these interviews are excellent. I have a good bit of experience with interviews myself, and I can say that they are very well done. The only thing, really, is that Neil Gaiman belonged in this book. I am sure Marcus wishes he could have gotten him in here.
simazhi's review
2.0
The people and answers are great but the questions are obvious and lack depth. I've read better interviews in weekly magazines than in this supposedly specialized collection. Also the selection of authors is perhaps not diverse enough? (2020 lens)
mizwriterlady's review
5.0
Loved reading these interviews from such big names in fantasy. I got it mostly to read Tamora Pierce's, but I ended up reading all of them and they were so intriguing. So many of them were inspired by Lord of the Rings! I myself don't share that inspiration, but I found it interesting that it meant so much to so many of these writers. The Harry Potter of their time, I suppose. Great read!
cleverruhs's review
5.0
This fabulous and fascinating collection of conversations with thirteen fantasy writers was incredibly interesting--not only in seeing how the how and why of their writing, but also seeing glimpses of who they are as people.
magicraft's review
4.0
This is a wonderful collection of interviews with Fantasy some incredible Fantasy writers. I love the format, the questions, and the copy of an edited manuscript at the end of each chapter. It's also helpful to know that each writer has a process with similarities to mine-some don't write all day long; they may have a general idea of how a book will begin and end, but no clue about the middle; allow themselves to be spontaneous and take time to enjoy the craft...
Overall, a good, quick read.
Overall, a good, quick read.
davybaby's review
2.0
I picked this up before realizing it was directed at children. Most of the writers primarily write YA fantasy, and many of the questions focus on their childhoods. That's not necessarily a problem, but after you read "I was a quiet kid who read a lot and then started writing" seven times, you're kind of ready for a new line of questioning. Many of the questions were the same for every writer, which was a bit dull.
There were interesting bits, and it was a nice introduction to a handful of writers I've read and a few that I haven't. But on the whole, I would have rather read one of their books than how they felt about living through World War II. But maybe that's just me.
One cool thing: For each writer, there was a picture of a revised page from their work. It was an interesting view into the process of the writers. For example, Lloyd Alexander scrapped nearly the entire page and rewrote 80% of it, while Ursula K. Le Guin only changed a few words.
There were interesting bits, and it was a nice introduction to a handful of writers I've read and a few that I haven't. But on the whole, I would have rather read one of their books than how they felt about living through World War II. But maybe that's just me.
One cool thing: For each writer, there was a picture of a revised page from their work. It was an interesting view into the process of the writers. For example, Lloyd Alexander scrapped nearly the entire page and rewrote 80% of it, while Ursula K. Le Guin only changed a few words.