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.

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!

Book Alert: 鏡のなかの幽霊

The Japanese edition of the The Ghost in the Mirror (loosely translated as Ghost inside of the mirror) will be published next March.