The Mirrorstone

by Michael Palin, Alan Lee, Richard Seymour

An English schoolboy is snatched into another world by the magician scientist Salaman, who forces him to brave underwater terrors in a quest for the priceless Mirrorstone.

Genres: Fantasy, Picture Books, Childrens, Magic, Fiction, Graphic Novels

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Sir Michael Edward Palin, KCMG, CBE, FRGS is an English comedian, actor, writer and television presenter best known for being one of the members of the comedy group Monty Python and for his travel documentaries.

Palin wrote most of his material with Terry Jones. Before Monty Python, they had worked on other shows such as The Ken Dodd Show, The Frost Report and Do Not Adjust Your Set. Palin appeared in some of the most famous Python sketches, including "The Dead Parrot", "The Lumberjack Song", "The Spanish Inquisition" and "Spam". Palin continued to work with Jones, co-writing Ripping Yarns. He has also appeared in several films directed by fellow Python Terry Gilliam and made notable appearances in other films such as A Fish Called Wanda, for which he won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. In a 2005 poll to find The Comedian's Comedian, he was voted the 30th favourite by fellow comedians and comedy insiders.

After Python, he began a new career as a travel writer. His journeys have taken him across the world, the North and South Poles, the Sahara desert, the Himalayas and most recently, Eastern Europe. In 2000 Palin became a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to television.

Reviews

[Dannii Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful, little picture book with a storyline more suited to younger readers but featuring a fun and exciting adventure that could also appeal to an older audience. Each page is vividly illustrated by Alan Lee, who is responsible for the splendour witnessed in some editions of Tolkien’s work, as well as working on crafting all six film adaptations. It was his name that drew me to this volume but the story was also an exciting read, with some darker moments I highly appreciated.

[Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic fantasy book. The idea of a collaboration between Michael Palin (Monty Python, Ripping Yarns etc..) and Alan Lee (Lord of the Rings artist) really intrigued me. I love the artwork and the use holograms that feature throughout the story. Holograms were a huge thing in the 80s and really takes me back to my childhood. Think this is a fun quick read for lovers of fantasy fiction of all ages. Especially new reader ms and those that grew up in the 80s :)

[Raquel C. Arco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Palin, Michael (Author); Lee, A. (Illustrator) & Seymour, R. «El espejo mágico (The Mirrorstone [Jonathan Cape Ltd., 1986])». Trad.: Carmen Seco. Montena/Mondibérica, Madrid, 1987.

Holograms: Alan Lee, Ray Evangelista and Wendy Froud (Light Fantastic Ltd., London)



It is a fascinating ghost story with holograms book for all ages, especially if from the 80s. The mirrorstone of the title is represented on the cover and within the book by holograms. I being so fascinated by the holograms and traditional 2D design throughout the pages-very ahead of its time back then.

[Marc Sebastian Head · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this book since childhood, and picked it up again today for a little jaunt down memory lane.

I remember being fascinated by The Mirrorstone, mostly because of its shiny 3D holograms. The illustrations are also wonderful, bringing the small cast to life. I couldn't recall much of the story, but having read through it again, I think that's because there isn't much of one! But the illustrations expand upon the fairly sparse text, and for a younger reader especially, provide plenty of fuel to the imagination, such that a book you can read in ten minutes fills hours of imagining.

I became familiar with Michael Palin later on in life thanks to Monty Python, and Alan Lee due to his illustrations based on Tolkien's Middle-earth. Having them (plus Richard Seymour) combine in this book is weird, but I think it is Lee's work that elevates this one. The fourth star of my rating is almost certainly based on nostalgia and the art work, but I stand by it. I suspect I will always have a soft spot in my heart for The Mirrorstone.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wenn Paul sich im Spiegel betrachtet, sieht er zwar sein Gesicht, aber auch wieder nicht. Denn das Gesicht, das ihm entgegensieht, wirkt viel ernster als er in Wirklichkeit ist. Aber eines Abends blickt ihm der Junge nicht nur entgegen, sondern nimmt ihn mit in seine Welt.

Das Buch ist eine Mischung aus Abenteuer- und Gruselgeschichte. Das, was Michael im Land hinter dem Spiegel erlebt, ist auf der einen Seite ein Abenteuer. Auf der Suche nach dem geheimnisvollen Stein kann er alle seine Fähigkeiten ausspielen und findet neue Freunde. Aber er gerät auch in eine Gefahr, die nichts mit einer normalen Abenteuergeschichte zu tun hat. Hier muss er lernen, wem er vertrauen kann.

Es ist eine ungewöhnliche Geschichte, die in einem wunderschön gestalteten Buch erzählt wird. Nicht nur für Fans von Michael Palin ein Schätzchen.

[Chris Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is crap and mainly serves to create reasons for the holograms to be used, but as an object this is great. For me at least it has a kind of mythical resonance, I don’t think I owned this as a child but I think I once saw it in the library or something like that. Alan Lee’s artwork is beautiful, the holograms and the models depicted in them are creepy, and even if the story is rubbish, Michael Palin’s presence still adds to it - the Monty Python team have an integral part in late 20th century fantasy.

[Sasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review has no bearing on the majesty of Alan Lee's illustrations. If anything, they carried this otherwise strange book that was too short to be a novel and too long to be a traditional children's picture book. I had more questions than answers, even at the end, and I thought it was rushed and strange. Interesting, but I think the "Harris Burdick" series with Chris Van Allsburg does far more with far less.

[Suzanne Fournier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul starts seeing someone other than him staring back at him in mirrors. He gets pulled into another world to help an obsessed magician. Will the quest be too hard?

A charming children's book, beautifully illustrated by Alan Lee.

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hele mooie illustraties!

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated, but I wasn't very impressed with the story. It was just a bit boring. Expected more from a Michael Palin book.

[Sara]

nice

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful eerie adventure

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,75 Sterne

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is actually quite an enjoyable little story that follows Paul, a typical young boy from a typical English town, that begins to see a strange image in the mirror before being pulled into another world by Salaman, an alchemist who needs his help recovering his creation, the Mirrorstone. Although this is a short story, it is packed with plenty including some superb illustrations and holograms.

[Paul Groos · Rating 2 out of 5]

(Read the Dutch translation.)
Beautiful pictures, story full of plot holes. The story is very eventful, but most events have little significance. Even the epic battle with the giant crab is quickly glanced over.
The pictures and the holograms are the main attractions of the book, but they are more gimmick than anything else.

[P J Ashcroft Klemm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Palin... need I say more?

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art saves this. The story is rather short, and not very much fleshed out. The holograms in the art are nice, but to be honest more a gimmick than real substance.

[Fefs Messina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful and very detailed illustrations, but this tale is far from interesting even for a child and doesn't make much sense.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations of Alan Lee in combination with the holograms are absolutely brilliant.

[Viggo Pedersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun quick little read. Illustrated by Alan Lee (illustrator of many of Tolkiens works).
Could see this as a fun family friendly film that the Brits are so good at!