amavi's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
3.0
I struggle with this short format- honestly I forgot everything, when it's a longer story both in non fiction and fiction I remember things a lot better, so I wish it was longer, more developed. It's my personal issue, otherwise the book is good. I have to buy a copy to have on my shelf because I think it can be useful
razishiri's review against another edition
3.0
This book is great! Unlike Rowling's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them or Holly Black's Arthur Spiderwick's Guide to the Fantastical World Around You, which provide authoritative portraits of magical creatures in a particular fantasy world, The Book of Imaginary Beings compiles interesting stories and details about a diverse array of imagined beasts, drawing from both Western and Eastern mythologies. Borges's aim is not simply to delight his readers with whimsical stories couched in a satirical tone--though he manages this quite well--but to ascertain the true purpose of these beings in humanity's collective consciousness.
"We do not know what the dragon means," Borges writes in the Introduction, "just as we do not know the meaning of the universe, but there is something in the image of a dragon that is congenial to man's imagination, and thus the dragon arises in many latitudes and ages. It is, one might say, a necessary monster...."
This gets to the heart of what fascinates every fantasy lover or typologist. What are our profound hopes; our neurotic fears? What force drives us to tell the same stories over and over, resurrecting our favorite characters and their villains again and again?
Keep this noble cause in mind as you skim this book, and it will help you get through the drier bits. Not every entry sparkles with Borges's wit. Some unfamiliar creatures, like the A Bao A Qu or Animals That Live in the Mirror, are a joy to meet, while others could have remained obscure.
Read it before bed, and be sure to remember your dreams.
"We do not know what the dragon means," Borges writes in the Introduction, "just as we do not know the meaning of the universe, but there is something in the image of a dragon that is congenial to man's imagination, and thus the dragon arises in many latitudes and ages. It is, one might say, a necessary monster...."
This gets to the heart of what fascinates every fantasy lover or typologist. What are our profound hopes; our neurotic fears? What force drives us to tell the same stories over and over, resurrecting our favorite characters and their villains again and again?
Keep this noble cause in mind as you skim this book, and it will help you get through the drier bits. Not every entry sparkles with Borges's wit. Some unfamiliar creatures, like the A Bao A Qu or Animals That Live in the Mirror, are a joy to meet, while others could have remained obscure.
Read it before bed, and be sure to remember your dreams.
vickiireads's review against another edition
5.0
A whimsical catalogue of creatures plucked straight out of ancient mythology, folk tales and magical tales ranging from Poe to C.S Lewis. Borges' covers an extensive worldy range of monsters, including the Egyptian Eater of the Dead, The Greek Minotaur , the Scottish Fairies and the Doppelganger. Many of the animals you will never have heard of before, but there are also a few favourites like dragons and unicorns, described in his careful, lyrical style.
smblanc1793's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Very informative for the aspiring cryptozoologist. It’s not exactly a page turner. It’s not supposed to be. It is still enjoyable and informative and an interesting amalgamation of history, myth, and culture. Many of these beasties will stay with me.
nevtelen's review against another edition
4.0
Great - not really the kind of book you sit down and read cover to cover, but the kind of book you dip into now and again. Still, an amazing amount of imagination that covers a lot more than just the 'standard' creatures that you see crop up again and again in fantasy. Intelligent and well-done - a good read and a good resource. The only reason it didn't get 5 stars from me is the lack of narrative.
2kimi2furious's review against another edition
3.0
The Encyclopedia of Things That Never Were is more complete and in-depth. This was okay, but not special. It was mostly Borges going LOOK WHAT I'VE READ ABOUT.
alisonmac86's review against another edition
1.0
This is a book that could have been so much better than it was. The main problem, in my opinion, is that the author appears to make the assumption that the reader is extremely well-read in classic and, in some cases, obscure ancient works. This is not always the case and it makes it very difficult to understand many of the references made. I also feel that a book of this kind would greatly benefit from some illustrations, given that the very subject is of creatures which are imaginary.
jojung_15's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0