Into the Forest discussion

I've moved this book into this new folder rather than in "Buddy Reads" because I ended up reading it on my own. Feel free to still comment here for Something Rich and Strange by Patricia A. McKillip?
Here's the description:
"They have lived among us for centuries�distant, separate, just out of sight. They fill our myths, our legends, and the stories we tell our children in the dark of night. They come from the air, from water, from earth, and from fire. What are these creatures that enjoin out imagination? Faeries. Something Rich and Strange creates a faerie story that's not to be missed: Megan is an artist who draws seascapes. Jonah owns a shop devoted to treasures from the deep. Their lives, so strongly touched by the ocean, become forever intertwined when enchanting people of the sea lure them further into the underwater world�and away from each other.(less)"

Do you have the illustrated version, Jalilah, or the plain one? Froud's paintings were beautiful! If you don't have them, I can see if I can upload a few.

Which reminds me - with this month's theme being forests & dryads", this might be a good time for me to read the illustrated version of de Lint's The Wild Wood and see if the illustrations make a difference in how much I like it.

I don't have a copy at the moment. But I'll look in on your comments, and if I end up with a copy soon (waiting) I will join in.

Melanti wrote: "Do you have the illustrated version, Jalilah, or the plain one? Froud's paintings were beautiful! If you don't have them, I can see if I can upload a few.

Which reminds me - with this month's t..."

The version of Something Rich and Strange I have is the illustrated one! I was pleasantly surprised!

The Wild Wood definitely fits the Forest theme. I read it a few years ago, but remember being some what disappointed. It was not bad, but because so many of De Lints novels are fantastic, I felt this was was just okay.

Kathy wrote: "I don't have a copy at the moment. But I'll look in on your comments, and if I end up with a copy soon (waiting) I will join in."

Kathy, it's really good, just what I'm in the mood for now!

This is a Faerie story like no other I've read! It really captures the madness, the surreal feeling that Faerie is sometimes described as. IMO this book is by far the best in Brian Froud Faerieland series.

Melanti wrote: "Do you have the illustrated version, Jalilah, or the plain one? Froud's paintings were beautiful! If you don't have them, I can see if I can upload a few.
Which reminds me - with this month's t..."

I found the illustrations by Brian Froud great as always, however many did not seem to fit the story! There were not many drawings that actually looked like sea creatures. It looked like Froud just offered some of his art work without knowing what the story was about!

No, what it was was Froud painted a big batch of paintings. The four authors then got together and took turns picking their favorites then used those as inspiration for a book of their own.

So they weren't designed explicitly as illustrations nor were the authors told to make them work like that.

And I agree that (although gorgeous) they didn't always go with the text in McKillip's book, which may be part of why the series was never finished. I'm still bummed they canceled it though. They would have gone perfectly with Hannah's Garden, since that book has all sorts of creatures in a natural setting. Unfortunately, we didn't even get Froud's cover art for that one.

This is my current library book. I love the illustrations and Brian Froud's introduction. Since I tend to be very interested in books dealing with artists, I expected to be captivated. Unfortunately, as of page 80, I'm not loving it. But it's short so I'll read it and see what I think by the time I finish.

Shomeret wrote: "This is my current library book. I love the illustrations and Brian Froud's introduction. Since I tend to be very interested in books dealing with artists, I expected to be captivated. Unfortuna..."

It started great for me but got less interesting about half way thorough (view spoiler)[once she goes into the sea it drags on too long (hide spoiler)]
However once I finished my overall impression was positive, but not so much I would read it again.

I finished it. It seemed to me that McKillip was trying to shoehorn a very large theme into a small space. Was there a reason why these had to be short books? I wanted more context for both the mythic characters and the human characters.