Book Alert: オペラ座の幽霊

The Japanese edition of the The Doom of the Haunted Opera (loosely translated as Phantom of the Opera - eat your heart out, Gaston Leroux) will be published next March.

The Bullies, the Rings, and the Books

I just finished reading the 20th anniversary expanded edition of The Monster’s Ring written by popular children’s author Bruce Coville and in many ways it reminded me of some of the stories of John Bellairs, particularly The Curse of the Blue Figurine which also features a magic ring and a bully by the name of Eddie. As I read it, I was pleasantly surprised to find an actual reference to one of John’s books therein. To help get into the Halloween spirit, Russell Crannaker, the book’s protagonist, decides to read a scary story, and guess what? Russell has good taste:

Memoriam: Thomas Fuller

Novelist, dramatist, and screenwriter Thomas E. Fuller died November 21, 2002, in Duluth, Georgia following a week-long hospitalization due to a heart attack.

Book Alert: 魔女狩り人の復讐

The Japanese edition of the The Vengeance of the Witch-Finder (loosely translated as Revenge of the Witch Hunt) was published in October.

Book Alert: 遺書と地下聖堂

The Japanese edition of the The Mummy, the Will, and the Crypt (loosely translated as Will and underground sanctuary) will be published in January.

Upon Thee in Holiday Foolery

For those wanting a Bellairsian-related holiday season, why not take some trips to the Midwest?

Remembrances: John Drew

Recent comments from John Drew:

The John Bellairs I knew at [the University of] Chicago forty years ago would have stammered his way into hilarity at the idea he would ever have been the subject of a biography. I am sure John would fervently hope and pray that your project is some kind of spoof, preferably a work of hagiography. Perhaps it is? The Canonization of Saint John of Main Street? Poor old John, sitting up there playing his harp and adjusting his halo, what would he say about your project?

2002 Living History Portrayal Walk

Marshall, Michigan's Oakridge Cemetery is playing host to "A Living History Portrayal" on Saturday, October 19. It is to be a guided walking tour of Oakridge Cemetery during which actors will portray ten significant persons from the past at each of those individuals' grave sites. The actors, impersonating each individual, will provide factual information about each personage, but in the tradition of the theater - the Marshall Civic Players is one of the sponsors along with the Marshall Historical Society - the evening will be high drama!

Book Alert: The Whistle, the Grave, and the Ghost

A summary of The Whistle, the Grave and the Ghost:

In the woods near his home in Michigan, thirteen-year-old Lewis Barnavelt stumbles upon an ancient grave and silver whistle that draw him, his best friend Rose Rita Pottinger, his uncle Jonathan, and their friend Mrs. Zimmermann into a battle with an ancient evil.

Remembrances: Brian Kenny

Recent comments from Brian Kenny:

I was at the University of Chicago from 1963 to 1967 working on a Ph.D. in theoretical physics. There I met a number of people through Calvert House, a place where Catholic Chaplains lived. While there I started a group which met in the homes of various people to discuss theology and have Mass in their homes.

Book Alert: The Whistle, the Grave, and the Ghost

Brad Strickland, writing at the Compleat Bellairs:

"I've seen the new cover [for The Whistle, the Grave, and the Ghost], and alas, it is not a wraparound, though it strikes me as very good. Nice color scheme and nice 'Gorey' feel to it!

"The proposals are in...and a new non-supernatural Anthony Monday is among them. Let's see what Dial says now."

The House with an Auction in its Halls

Bryndis Rubin reports that Belcher, Dingman, Spaulding Auctioneers have announced Saturday, August 31, 2002, as the date that contents of the Jeremiah Cronin, Jr. House, the Marshall inspiration for The House with a Clock in its Walls, are presented in a public auction, as Ms. Mary Virginia Cronin, the last remaining owner of the house, passed away earlier this year at age 97. The Cronin family was one of the earliest settlers in Marshall and has long been recognized as an icon in this small town's storied history. Built in 1872, there are many memories that surround this fantastic home. Come be apart of the final chapter of the Cronin family and take home a piece of history.

Summoning the Ace of Nitwits

by guest contributor, Ron Sharp:

I am a Bellairs neophyte. I have not read all of his books, and consider myself barely knowledgeable regarding the worlds he created. I have only recently, in fact, began reading his works at the behest of those who maintain this site. I am well read and have always been interested in magic in life. In particular I’ve been fascinated by the magical way of life described in the many books written about the Toltecs.

Understanding Phil Absen

We received some comments this week from fan Brian Showers after recently re-reading The Curse of the Blue Figurine for the first time in at least a decade. He’s says that while the book was pleasing the second time around there was one glaring thing in his mind – the encounter with Phil Absen.

A Gorey Exhibition on Reading

From the Edward Gorey House:

Edward Gorey's life revolved around his passion for the written word, evident in his creations both on paper and on stage. Throughout his career, Gorey contributed illustrations to books by children's authors such as John Ciardi, Florence Heide, Edward Lear, John Bellairs and Peter Neumeyer. This exhibition includes examples of these illustrations as well as posters and advertisements Gorey created to advocate reading for both children and adults. From June 15 through September 29, 2002.

Book Alert: Le Fantôme dans le Miroir

The French edition of the The Ghost in the Mirror, with cover art by Lalex, is to be published this October. This is book #4 in the Kévin et les magiciens series.

Book Alert: House/Ghost Flip Book

A new paperback combined edition of The House with a Clock in Its Walls and The Ghost in the Mirror has hit the shelves. The book is a flip book, if you will: you first read House through to the end (or middle), flip the book over and read Ghost. Or - and hear us out - you read Ghost first through to end (or middle), flip the book over and ... well, you get the idea.

The cover work is identical to the Puffin paperback editions with artwork by Bart Goldman.

Movie News

Brad Strickland, writing at the Compleat Bellairs:

Book Alert: Émily et l'Anneau Magique

The French edition of the The Letter, the Witch, and the Ring, with cover art by Lalex, is to be published this June. This is book #3 in the Kévin et les magiciens series.

A Thorough Loving of the Common Road

Winona Post editors John and Fran Edstrom have hopped into their car for a road trip – and the adventure described in Fran's article reminds us Anthony and Miss Eells's adventures touring the back roads of Hoosac. We doubt the Edstroms come across anything as mesmerizing as a mansion in New Stockholm, though:

Book Alert: La Médaille Ensorcelée

The French edition of the The Figure in the Shadows, with cover art by Lalex, is to be published this June. This is book #2 in the Kévin et les magiciens series.

Interview: Ann LaPietra

Ann LaPietra is the owner of the Marshall, Michigan bookstore "the kids' place" and the woman behind the popular John Bellairs Walk, a tour of the sights and sounds of Marshall and how they inspired John’s New Zebedee. We asked Ann about the walk, the city, and John’s enduring popularity.

Review: Beast "Imitates Bellairs's Style Well"

Book review: The Beast under the Wizard's Bridge

James Stoddard: The High House

I recently came across a review of James Stoddard’s The High House (1989) by author Darrell Schweitzer. Schweitzer notes Stoddard paid homage to many classic works of fantasy with references to such esteemed authors as Lord Dunsany, Mervyn Peake, C.S. Lewis, and George MacDonald. His nod to Bellairs, by way of The Face in the Frost, comes on page 48 where the young protagonist, Carter Anderson, explores a magical house's library and is surprised at some of the titles shelved in its history collection:

Gorey at Bromer Booksellers

Edward Gorey's illustrations for The Beast Under the Wizard's Bridge, The Dark Secret of Weatherend, The Ghost in the Mirror, and The Vengeance of the Witch-finder are available from Bromer Booksellers. As Beast is Gorey's last completed bookwork before his death in 2000, one understands how and why the cost of this artwork - along with one swell copy of the published work - sells at $10,500.00.

And, no, the Bellairsia staff cannot make you any deals.

Remembrances: Alan Loxterman

Recent comments from Alan Loxterman:

Both in physical appearance and with his sardonic sense of humor, I recall John Bellairs as a cross between Alfred Hitchcock and Charles Laughton.

Interview: Lalex

Imagine our surprise to see some familiar characters running around - but this time around speaking French!  Bon Sour One Frank, indeed! Lalex is the contemporary illustrator of the French translations of John Bellairs' Lewis Barnavelt books in the "Kévin et les Magiciens" series.

"Tower" nomination

From Kalev Hantsoo:

The children's magazine Disney Adventures is having its annual book awards and The Tower at the End of the World is a nominee. The information is found in the Winter 2002 issue with votes due by February 15. Go vote!