Monday, December 19, 2011

Revealing Other Realms

You can always count on Kinuko Craft to reveal other realms by opening an enchanted connection to the golden age . . .

Kinuko Craft — Song for the Basilisk — 1997

Posted by at
Labels:

4 comments:

Annie said...

Kinuko Y. Craft is my favorite modern illustrator; and Patricia McKillip, the author of Song of the Basilisk, is one of my favorite fantasy writers for the dreamlike and lyrical quality of her prose. I own this book. The cover art is definitely a selling point in wanting to own the physical copy. I own several where this artist and writer are paired.

December 19, 2011 at 2:23 PM
Thomas Haller Buchanan said...

Thanks Annie for that info. I'm not familiar with the author. What is the setting or set-up for the book? Is that a book many of us would enjoy reading?

December 19, 2011 at 2:36 PM
Annie said...

Hi Thom,

Well, first, I need to get the title right: Song for the Basilisk. I also own and enjoy Od Magic, Tower at Stony Wood, In the Forests of Serre, Winter Rose; and I’ve read Alphabet of Thorn, Ombria in Shadow, The Book of Atrix Wolf… and many more.

I’m certain that anyone who enjoys Kinuko Y. Craft’s illustrations for Patricia McKillip’s books, would enjoy the books themselves for their imagery and complexity and the emotional and multi-layered appeal. Song for the Basilisk interweaves music, memory, and magic; and begins with a powerful passage akin to a dream.

You made me curious, so I’ve sought out several reviews of this book and others. After the holidays, I may find the time to pull together a post about her writing.

If you don’t already have it, you would enjoy another book I own: Kinuko Craft Drawings & Paintings, published by Imaginosis, c2007. It’s beautifully designed with high quality and full page reproductions of her art; and it includes preliminary sketches and passages written by Craft about her life, her influences, and her working process. My copy came with an illustrated card signed by Craft.

I love your title for this post: Revealing Other Realms. That is exactly what Kinuko Craft does with her art, and what Patricia McKillip does with the worlds she creates. She has won numerous fantasy awards, and a World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2008.

December 19, 2011 at 10:37 PM
Thomas Haller Buchanan said...

Annie, thank you again for the additional information. When I get time to read some fiction, I will explore some of McKillup's work.

And oh yes, I've owned that book of Craft's since it first came out, and also have the signed and illustrated card. It has a place of honor in my library.

December 20, 2011 at 12:18 AM

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)