Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
Firebird (2006), Edition: Updated, 234 pages
Description
A unique guide to fantasy literature helps readers understand such subjects as virginity, why High Priests are always evil, how Dark Lords always have minions, and useful tips on what to do when captured by a Goblin.
Media reviews
All said, this is a very enjoyable book to read -- in small snippets. And any writer venturing on creating his or her own tour through Fantasyland would do well to read it, and at least think twice about his or her use of any clichés skewered herein!
User reviews
LibraryThing member WinterFox
Diana Wynne Jones is such a master of writing these unique, wonderfully crafted gems of children's and young adult fantasy novels that you might well just forget that she's got a lot more to say about the genre she writes in. You see it sometimes, in the way she plays with fantasy and fairy tale
Perhaps, then, it's not a surprise that she should come out with the Tough Guide to Fantasyland, as fun a skewer of fantasy conventions as I can remember. It's written as an amusing, tongue-in-cheek travel guide to taking a tour in a world entirely governed by these conventions of fantasy, and run by a tour management to make sure things do work this way. And so, it's maintained that you will have progressively harder encounters; that you can tell the quality of a person by looking at the colors they wear; that no matter how cold it is, your clothes will be sufficient, and you won't get sick; that your caravan will always have a spy and it will always be attacked; etc. It's written a wry way, that feels skewering, but not nasty. It's actually quite enjoyable, all around.
That said, like any travel guide, perhaps reading it front to back as I did is not the best approach. It's got connections from one entry to other related ones, and allowing yourself to just page around is probably a more pleasant experience than just slogging through. That way was still fun, but I'd recommend trying it another way. Just leaving it around and out on a table, and picking it up for a few fun little pages occasionally, is probably the best approach. However you approach it, it's a cute little book that you'll definitely recall pleasurably the next time you read a novel that follows all the same ways as so many fantasy novels before.
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conventions in Howl's Moving Castle, in the way the hyper-prepared character is portrayed in the Homeward Bounders, in... well, pretty much all of Deep Secret. You can't get as good as she has without knowing how stories are generally told, even if it's only so you can avoid telling things quite that way.Perhaps, then, it's not a surprise that she should come out with the Tough Guide to Fantasyland, as fun a skewer of fantasy conventions as I can remember. It's written as an amusing, tongue-in-cheek travel guide to taking a tour in a world entirely governed by these conventions of fantasy, and run by a tour management to make sure things do work this way. And so, it's maintained that you will have progressively harder encounters; that you can tell the quality of a person by looking at the colors they wear; that no matter how cold it is, your clothes will be sufficient, and you won't get sick; that your caravan will always have a spy and it will always be attacked; etc. It's written a wry way, that feels skewering, but not nasty. It's actually quite enjoyable, all around.
That said, like any travel guide, perhaps reading it front to back as I did is not the best approach. It's got connections from one entry to other related ones, and allowing yourself to just page around is probably a more pleasant experience than just slogging through. That way was still fun, but I'd recommend trying it another way. Just leaving it around and out on a table, and picking it up for a few fun little pages occasionally, is probably the best approach. However you approach it, it's a cute little book that you'll definitely recall pleasurably the next time you read a novel that follows all the same ways as so many fantasy novels before.
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LibraryThing member bikyclist
This brilliant travel guide for visitors to Fantasyland exposes the popular and well worn cliches and plot ideas used by fantasy authors everywhere. What I really love about this book is it isn't afraid to make fun of anything at all, even in some cases, the authors own works. The gnomic utterances
It takes nothing seriously, and if you have even just read one fantasy novel in your life, you will still find yourself amused by the observations made.
As a side note, The Dark Lord of Derkholm, followed by The Year of the Griffin, both also by Diana Wynne Jones, were written to contain as many of these ideas and cliches as physically possible, and are two of the funniest and well told stories you will read anywhere.
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that begin each section are hilariously obscure, as you should well expect.It takes nothing seriously, and if you have even just read one fantasy novel in your life, you will still find yourself amused by the observations made.
As a side note, The Dark Lord of Derkholm, followed by The Year of the Griffin, both also by Diana Wynne Jones, were written to contain as many of these ideas and cliches as physically possible, and are two of the funniest and well told stories you will read anywhere.
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LibraryThing member andreablythe
This mock travel guide gives the reader advice on how to "tour" Fantasyland, a generic world based on all the tropes and cliches from numerous fantasy novels. The result is part criticism, part loving tribute, and more often than not a humorous poking fun at cliches of the genre the author clearly
As much as this book will be enjoyed by readers of fantasy, it is also rather invaluable to writers of fantasy, as its a rather thorough list of all the things that have been done before, done so often, in fact, that they can be easily compiled into a guide on how to navigate such an imagined reality. As a writer myself, I would use this book as a way to think about how I write, as in "Am I including this just because it the default trope for fantasy, or am I including it because it's the best available option for this story?"
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loves. As much as this book will be enjoyed by readers of fantasy, it is also rather invaluable to writers of fantasy, as its a rather thorough list of all the things that have been done before, done so often, in fact, that they can be easily compiled into a guide on how to navigate such an imagined reality. As a writer myself, I would use this book as a way to think about how I write, as in "Am I including this just because it the default trope for fantasy, or am I including it because it's the best available option for this story?"
Show Less
LibraryThing member meggie
A full representation of satire and cynicism at their very bust, The Tough Guide to Fantasyland serves as a guidebook to authors and readers alike as they progress deeper into the realm of fantasy. Part guidebook, part encyclopedia, the Guide introduces the stereotypical "Hero's Journey"
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characters, races, and situations that are found in most fantasy novels, movies, television series, plays, and games with a helpful dose of acidic humor. Authors should consider using the Tough Guide to Fantasyland as a source of inspiration and as a warning to stay away from paths that have been traveled too frequently, while fans of the genre can appreciate the guidebook's humorous approach. Show Less
LibraryThing member ed.pendragon
Helpful tips for travellers to Fantasyland
(1) Get immunised by reading a wide range of fantasy, both good and bad: you never know what bugs you will be exposed to in Fantasyland.
(2) Remember to have an up-to-date passport: you'll need either your own unread fantasy book (preferably with your own
(3) Obtain a visa (a credit card receipt for a fantasy book from your local bookseller will do).
(4) Have the correct currency ready (any bronze, silver or gold coins will do, so long as it makes a nice clinking sound in your purse).
(5) Finally, don't forget to pack the Tough Guide: you'll be lost without it.
Oh, and don't speak to any strangers down dark alleyways...
(1) Get immunised by reading a wide range of fantasy, both good and bad: you never know what bugs you will be exposed to in Fantasyland.
(2) Remember to have an up-to-date passport: you'll need either your own unread fantasy book (preferably with your own
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bookplate stuck in the front) or a library book with plenty of entry/exit stamps from previous travellers' visits.(3) Obtain a visa (a credit card receipt for a fantasy book from your local bookseller will do).
(4) Have the correct currency ready (any bronze, silver or gold coins will do, so long as it makes a nice clinking sound in your purse).
(5) Finally, don't forget to pack the Tough Guide: you'll be lost without it.
Oh, and don't speak to any strangers down dark alleyways...
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LibraryThing member JeremyPreacher
Absolutely delightful. Skewers oh so many tired epic fantasy tropes, bits of shoddy worldbuilding, and ridiculous blind sexism/racism issues. And it's funny as hell, too.
LibraryThing member m.c.wade
A send-up of tired cliches and tropes from decades of fantasy novels. It's written as a tourist guide, if tourists could go to the world where all fantasy books are set. And if that world were a single place run somewhat like Disneyland, only deadlier.
It's cool to see Jones developing the ideas
Both of those books, as well as this one, are highly recommended.
It's cool to see Jones developing the ideas
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that would later lead to her two novels set in a Fantasyland-type world--The Dark Lord of Derkholm and Year of the Griffin.Both of those books, as well as this one, are highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member CKmtl
A cute little book poking fun at the tropes of Fantasy. While it bills itself as a travel guide, it's format lies closer to an encyclopedia. But I suppose "A Compact Encyclopedia of Fantasyland" doesn't have the same ring to it.
The points concerning the ecologies, economies, and horses of
The points concerning the ecologies, economies, and horses of
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Fantasyland are particularly good. Show Less
LibraryThing member Mendoza
It was a lot of fun reading through this book. The silly thing is how much the author was able to pigeon hole the genre. It was hilarious to read and I thought almost entirely true of high fantasy novels.
Just the part that disects the ever present map in fantasy novels. I pulled out some of my
Just alot of fun.
Just the part that disects the ever present map in fantasy novels. I pulled out some of my
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novels to compare and the book had them down pat.Just alot of fun.
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LibraryThing member TheDivineOomba
The essential guide for every fantasy lover, and those that aspire to write fantasy - covers most plot devices, characters, magical elements, and terrain that is to be found in the traditional fantasy book.
Great humor, great writing, an enjoyable read. Also, don't read this all at once - it can be
Great humor, great writing, an enjoyable read. Also, don't read this all at once - it can be
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a bit overwhelming. Show Less
LibraryThing member ladycato
I'm a fantasy writer, and for years I have heard of this book and how amusing it is. This is a book any reader of fantasy will appreciate because it merciless explores the tropes of the genre. For example, the section on Horses notes that mares never come into season during the Tour (as it calls
The problem with the book is that it IS so exhaustive. When it comes down to it, it's like reading hundreds of pages of the dictionary; mind you, it's a funny dictionary, but it's a tiresome read after a while.
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the events in Fantasyland) and that stallions never show interest in mares; therefore, it's likely that horses breed by pollination.The problem with the book is that it IS so exhaustive. When it comes down to it, it's like reading hundreds of pages of the dictionary; mind you, it's a funny dictionary, but it's a tiresome read after a while.
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LibraryThing member amaraduende
This is quite funny at times. A very quick read. I recommend for anyone who's EVER read a fantasy novel.
LibraryThing member Homechicken
This book was amusing at first, but seemed to get slower and slower. Not written in the novel-fashion, it’s more of a dictionary of fantasy cliche. Just about everything is covered. This would be a great reference book for someone writing a fantasy novel so they don’t take the “normal” path
The most annoying thing is the author religiously uses she/he instead of he/she or just switching the two back and forth between entries.
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all the time.The most annoying thing is the author religiously uses she/he instead of he/she or just switching the two back and forth between entries.
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LibraryThing member idanush
This books feels like you're reading every single generic fantasy book at the same time.
The protagonist is always has to make a tough decision. he is always forced into saving the world and the world is always on the brink of disaster.
Tolkien established this great genre and it has been
A great and funny stab at how cookie-cutter this can get.
The protagonist is always has to make a tough decision. he is always forced into saving the world and the world is always on the brink of disaster.
Tolkien established this great genre and it has been
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relentlessly copied ever since. A great and funny stab at how cookie-cutter this can get.
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LibraryThing member juliayoung
This is quite a delightfully humorous guide to fantasy tropes. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it . . . it was a bit like being able to peek inside an actual copy of The Hitchhiker's Guide, only for a fantasy land. If Jones' other books have the same wit, I'm eagerly looking forward to reading some of
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them. Show Less
LibraryThing member andreablythe
This mock travel guide gives the reader advice on how to "tour" Fantasyland, a generic world based on all the tropes and cliches from numerous fantasy novels. The result is part criticism, part loving tribute, and more often than not a humorous poking fun at cliches of the genre the author clearly
As much as this book will be enjoyed by readers of fantasy, it is also rather invaluable to writers of fantasy, as its a rather thorough list of all the things that have been done before, done so often, in fact, that they can be easily compiled into a guide on how to navigate such an imagined reality. As a writer myself, I would use this book as a way to think about how I write, as in "Am I including this just because it the default trope for fantasy, or am I including it because it's the best available option for this story?"
Show More
loves. As much as this book will be enjoyed by readers of fantasy, it is also rather invaluable to writers of fantasy, as its a rather thorough list of all the things that have been done before, done so often, in fact, that they can be easily compiled into a guide on how to navigate such an imagined reality. As a writer myself, I would use this book as a way to think about how I write, as in "Am I including this just because it the default trope for fantasy, or am I including it because it's the best available option for this story?"
Show Less
LibraryThing member Fledgist
This is a humorous guide to the realm of fantasy (sample entry "Anglo-Saxon Cossacks" -- something in their genes prevents them from having bandy thighs, and they live in stone fastnesses rather than tents). Jones has a pretty light touch, even though she guys many of the tropes of high (and
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not-so-high) fantasy. Show Less
LibraryThing member jerenda
I more or less liked this book- it was certainly very interesting, and funny most of the time. It had a few inappropriate subjects, something I didn't expect from this author, and after a while I sort of got bored with it. It was interesting an all, but who wants to read a dictionary? Albiet a
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unique, fantasy-laden dictionary. Show Less
LibraryThing member Kellswitch
A mildly interesting and amusing book.
Not something you would try to read as a regular book, rather hunting for the amusing anecdotes.
For some reason, even thought it was revised in 2006 and that was the version I read, it felt dated, like she was using the fantasy concepts of the 70's and early
It was worth skimming through, but I'm glad I took it out of the library vs. buying it.
Not something you would try to read as a regular book, rather hunting for the amusing anecdotes.
For some reason, even thought it was revised in 2006 and that was the version I read, it felt dated, like she was using the fantasy concepts of the 70's and early
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80's and not so much what has been currently written, though I'm sure she had. For some reason I just kept flashing to Bored of the Rings...It was worth skimming through, but I'm glad I took it out of the library vs. buying it.
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LibraryThing member trinityofone
This is a fun faux-encyclopedic guide to fantasy conventions. Jones mostly addresses high fantasy clichés, and I actually haven't read very much high fantasy at all, but almost everything Jones skewers still felt familiar to me. Tolkien has a lot to answer for.
LibraryThing member jennorthcoast
“Dark Lord Approved” says it all. This “tour” of all the clichés, monsters, missing heirs and magic users of most fantasy novels is witty, very funny, and very true. It pretty much covers any possible combination of characters and plot devices you might encounter in any fantasy book you
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read. It will have you laughing out loud in many places, especially if you recognize which books some of the clichés come from. The standard food of stew and Jones’ theory of how horses are bred in Fantasyland are hysterical; the Gnomic Utterances at the beginning of each alphabetical section are a hoot. I had not heard of several of the topics—the Marsh Dwellers, the Reek of Wrongness—so I guess I need to read more. Altogether, The Tough Guide to Fantasyland is a must-have reference work. ;-) Show Less
LibraryThing member zjakkelien
Quite funny!
LibraryThing member sloopjonb
Recommended, nay, essential, reading for anyone about to embark on writing or reading fantasy. Highly amusing, and for a writer, most instructive ...
LibraryThing member ALisette
Brilliant. I honestly think that anyone who is even considering penning a fantasy novel should have this book in their library. A nice companion to Dark Lord of Derkhelm.
LibraryThing member rmagahiz
It featured a fine imagination and an appreciation for the ridiculous elements in the fantasy genre, but the author was straitjacketed by the format and could not really come up with something that one would call an enjoyable read. It combined the authoritativeness of a swords and sorcery tale with
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the wild abandon of an encyclopedia. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Hugo Award (Nominee — Non-Fiction — 1997)
World Fantasy Award (Nominee — 1997)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1996
Physical description
234 p.; 8.2 x 0.6 inches
ISBN
0142407224 / 9780142407226