Review: Sign "Likable Characters And The Plot Is Solid"

Book review: The Sign of the Sinister Sorcerer

Top 10 News Stories

As we prepare for the tenth anniversary of Bellairsia, we’re using our tragically hip Twitter feed to share some memorable moments and commentary in the form of Top Ten lists.

And Friendship Shall Combine

Every once in a while a fan asks what would happen if there was a crossover and Lewis, Anthony, and Johnny teamed-up. Jason wrote into our mailing list recently and put a different spin on the question, wondering if the books would have been even more successful had Bellairs only wrote one single series, instead of three separate ones?

Goreyana: The Drum, the Doll, and the Zombie

Notes from Goreyana about The Drum, the Doll, and the Zombie :

• I have not seen this artwork in person, but close examination of the printed image reveals how the white paper is left unpainted for the beam of light, while the background is painted all around the glowing stream. Mr. Gorey shows exceptional control of his watercolor paints in this image.
• I find it amusing that Edward Gorey took the liberty of turning the face of the zombie green in his painting, giving it a "Frankenstein's Monster" look. The description in the book states that the zombie is deathly pale with dead eyes.

Recognizing His Fame

Tom Vartabedian spent 40 years as an award-winning writer and photographer with the Haverhill Gazette.  Now, writing in a recent online edition of the Armenian Weekly, Vartabedian reflects on some of the famous writers he has encountered over the years and how they lived with their fame.

Making Models of Mysterious Books

Allen Library in Frisco, Texas, shared pictures on their blog of the models of objects from recently-read mystery books, with one image showing a pretty cool looking version of Barnavelt's Folly. Good job, sir!  Who else has ever made a Bellairs-inspired diorama or model?

The "Still Wonderful" John Bellairs

by Brentus (Nov. 16, 2010)
(Originally published at Duck Warlock)

The Boy Who Could Enter Paintings

New commentary on the Herb Valen book from 1968, whose illustrations by Susan Perl reminded the reviewer of Edward Gorey and Mercer Mayer (and from one picture, look kin to Jonathan and Lewis Barnavelt):

All the House's a Stage

An out-of-the-blue surprise from the website of Greg Vanselo, who apparently was part of a stage version of House.

The House with a Clock in its Walls (1994)
Producer, Director, Adaptation for the Stage, Scenic Designer, Lighting Designer, Master Carpenter

Something About the Fox Sisters

Commentary from Ghost Augustine about the Fox Sisters, briefly mentioned in The Specter from the Magician's Museum:

Stephen King with Stabilisers

by Nick Campbell (Oct. 5, 2010)
(originally published at leaf-pile.blogspot.com)

Review: House "Oone Of The Best – And Creepiest - Books"

Book review: The House with a Clock in its Walls

Review: Face "[A] Fantasy Reduced To Its Purest Form"

Book review: The Face in the Frost

Top 10 Sing-a-long Moments

As we prepare for the tenth anniversary of Bellairsia, we’re using our absurdly rad Twitter feed to share some memorable moments and commentary in the form of Top Ten lists.

Goreyana: The Vengeance of the Witch-Finder

Notes from Goreyana about The Vengeance of the Witch-Finder:

• The drawing of the maze appears to be lost, but the dust jacket and frontis original artwork are not.
• Bromer Booksellers sold the dust jacket artwork (two pieces of original art: one large color painting and one hand-lettered title typography) in their now famous 2001 catalog of Edward Gorey artwork, books and ephemera. The dust jacket image does not read particularly well as a single piece of art, but the execution and subject matter are top notch. The skeleton wearing glasses with plants growing up through it on the back cover of the book is particularly delightful.