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Realms of Imagination: Essays from the Wide Worlds of Fantasy
‘Fantasy, we know, from the oldest stories in the oldest languages, has always been with us.’ – Neil Gaiman
Fantasy is an expansive genre, encompassing sprawling epics, ancient folklore, impossible worlds and forays into the dark and horrifying. In this new volume, twenty authors have mustered for a journey across four vast realms: Fairy and Folk Tales, Epics and Quests, the Weird and Uncanny, and Portals and Worlds.
Prepare to delve into the heart of Fantasy, with explorations of the art of world-building, the undying appeal of the quest narrative, the diversity and interconnectedness of the world’s fairy stories and weird tales, and the unique power of the uncanny in videogames. Here, you will find contributions from a host of writers including Maria Dahvana Headley, China Miéville, Sofia Samatar, Marina Warner and Terri Windling, alongside sage insights from expert British Library curators and Fantasy literature specialists.
Featuring awe-inspiring illustrations and representing the gamut of fantastic creativity from Gilgamesh to Ursula K. Le Guin, from Beowulf to the Brontës, and from The Dark Crystal to the Dark Souls franchise, Realms of Imagination is a treasure trove of new perspectives and fresh discoveries.
Tanya Kirk is Lead Curator of Printed Heritage Collections 1601–1900 at the British Library. Matthew Sangster is Professor of Romantic Studies, Fantasy and Cultural History and Co-Director of the Centre for Fantasy and the Fantastic at the University of Glasgow. Tanya is the lead curator and Matthew is the external curator for the British Library exhibition Fantasy: Realms of Imagination (2023–4).
Fantasy is an expansive genre, encompassing sprawling epics, ancient folklore, impossible worlds and forays into the dark and horrifying. In this new volume, twenty authors have mustered for a journey across four vast realms: Fairy and Folk Tales, Epics and Quests, the Weird and Uncanny, and Portals and Worlds.
Prepare to delve into the heart of Fantasy, with explorations of the art of world-building, the undying appeal of the quest narrative, the diversity and interconnectedness of the world’s fairy stories and weird tales, and the unique power of the uncanny in videogames. Here, you will find contributions from a host of writers including Maria Dahvana Headley, China Miéville, Sofia Samatar, Marina Warner and Terri Windling, alongside sage insights from expert British Library curators and Fantasy literature specialists.
Featuring awe-inspiring illustrations and representing the gamut of fantastic creativity from Gilgamesh to Ursula K. Le Guin, from Beowulf to the Brontës, and from The Dark Crystal to the Dark Souls franchise, Realms of Imagination is a treasure trove of new perspectives and fresh discoveries.
Tanya Kirk is Lead Curator of Printed Heritage Collections 1601–1900 at the British Library. Matthew Sangster is Professor of Romantic Studies, Fantasy and Cultural History and Co-Director of the Centre for Fantasy and the Fantastic at the University of Glasgow. Tanya is the lead curator and Matthew is the external curator for the British Library exhibition Fantasy: Realms of Imagination (2023–4).
- GenresNonfictionEssays
272 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2023
17 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 30, 2023
1 star deducted for forcing me to read this paragraph on a predictably cringe, yet somehow expectation defying, essay on fandom (specifically harry potter):
My own position on this is informed by my trans-inclusive feminism and by being a non-binary person who has received personal, public criticism from J.K Rowling in front of her millions of twitter followers. On top of all that, I'm a Gryffindor, and Gryffindors are unbearable, but we do tend to get worked up about injustice.'
[dan olsen voice] cringe. there is no other word for it. this is cringe.
That one essay aside, this was a great and varied look into not just novels but the entire wide and wonderful world of speculative fiction. It brought in video games, manga, movies, poetry and theatre...it has also provided a fantastic list of resources of further reading and new books to sink my teeth into.
Also it's just gorgeous. The illustrations and layout of this book is very well done.
My own position on this is informed by my trans-inclusive feminism and by being a non-binary person who has received personal, public criticism from J.K Rowling in front of her millions of twitter followers. On top of all that, I'm a Gryffindor, and Gryffindors are unbearable, but we do tend to get worked up about injustice.'
[dan olsen voice] cringe. there is no other word for it. this is cringe.
That one essay aside, this was a great and varied look into not just novels but the entire wide and wonderful world of speculative fiction. It brought in video games, manga, movies, poetry and theatre...it has also provided a fantastic list of resources of further reading and new books to sink my teeth into.
Also it's just gorgeous. The illustrations and layout of this book is very well done.
March 9, 2024
This is the book accompanying the British Library’s recent blockbuster exhibition exploring the Fantasy genre. The exhibition made me deliriously happy; I was always going to buy the catalogue but then I found to my astonishment there wasn’t one: instead, this book of essays exploring themes suggested by the show, with a beautifully written preface by Neil Gaiman and a gorgeous illustration by Sveta Dorosheva, used throughout the book in details, and outside in publicity for the exhibition. The book is lavishly illustrated with material from the exhibition, so it works as both.
The essays will be studied by anyone interested in the genre, and collectively try to stretch parameters as well as covering the basics. The editors aren’t afraid to include opposing points of view. I enjoyed many of the essays and learned a lot. But I agree with Gaiman who says in his preface the best thing of all is that this book gives you a reading list.
The essays will be studied by anyone interested in the genre, and collectively try to stretch parameters as well as covering the basics. The editors aren’t afraid to include opposing points of view. I enjoyed many of the essays and learned a lot. But I agree with Gaiman who says in his preface the best thing of all is that this book gives you a reading list.
December 10, 2023
Thank you to the British Library for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
What an honor it was to receive and read this amazing collection of fantasy-focused essays. Covering such a vast range of essays from categorising fantasy to discussing the Brontes. I am in awe of people who can put into words such complex topics succinctly and engagingly. The amount of notes I have written down of interesting facts and amazing quotes is about 20+ pages.
Some of my favourite essays include:
Folk Tales, Fairy Lore and the Making of Tradition - Terri Wilding
The Everything Book - Sofia Samatar
Fantasy's Weird Architecture - Matthew Sangster
Crossing Borders of Otherness - Dimitra Fimi
What an honor it was to receive and read this amazing collection of fantasy-focused essays. Covering such a vast range of essays from categorising fantasy to discussing the Brontes. I am in awe of people who can put into words such complex topics succinctly and engagingly. The amount of notes I have written down of interesting facts and amazing quotes is about 20+ pages.
Some of my favourite essays include:
Folk Tales, Fairy Lore and the Making of Tradition - Terri Wilding
The Everything Book - Sofia Samatar
Fantasy's Weird Architecture - Matthew Sangster
Crossing Borders of Otherness - Dimitra Fimi
April 7, 2024
A bit of a mixed bag, but I did really like a few of the pieces - the standout, I believe, was the essay by Sofia Samatar.
January 3, 2024
I am not able to visit the British Library and see the Fantasy Exhibition but what a wonderful book is this. The images alone make this book a gem.
Accessible books discussing fantasy are rare and although Realm of Imagination can only skim the surface, it does a good job (and a chapter on the original Dark Crystal!). Some essays are better than others but as an overall book, this is a must read for every fantasy lover out there.
Accessible books discussing fantasy are rare and although Realm of Imagination can only skim the surface, it does a good job (and a chapter on the original Dark Crystal!). Some essays are better than others but as an overall book, this is a must read for every fantasy lover out there.
March 22, 2024
Quality Rating: Five Stars
Enjoyment Rating: Five Stars
I wrote my dissertation on fairy tales (specifically in film and the transformative plain of enchanted forests within them), so when I stepped into the British Library’s exhibition on fantasy I immediately felt like I was home. There, on the wall, were literally facts and information that I had constructed and argued as a student. Videos and books and artefacts from the storytellers I had studied, projected clips from the films I had referenced. An area I had felt so immersed in and that very few people around me were aware of was on display in marvellous vibrancy. So, of course, I expected the collection of essays in its accompanying book would be interesting. And reader, it was perfect. This book has a breadth of essays about fairy tales, science fiction, horror, history and spectacle - from literature to films to video games to publishing and more. When you see the names Marina Warner, Cristina Bacchilega and China Miéville as contributors you know it’s legit.
Enjoyment Rating: Five Stars
I wrote my dissertation on fairy tales (specifically in film and the transformative plain of enchanted forests within them), so when I stepped into the British Library’s exhibition on fantasy I immediately felt like I was home. There, on the wall, were literally facts and information that I had constructed and argued as a student. Videos and books and artefacts from the storytellers I had studied, projected clips from the films I had referenced. An area I had felt so immersed in and that very few people around me were aware of was on display in marvellous vibrancy. So, of course, I expected the collection of essays in its accompanying book would be interesting. And reader, it was perfect. This book has a breadth of essays about fairy tales, science fiction, horror, history and spectacle - from literature to films to video games to publishing and more. When you see the names Marina Warner, Cristina Bacchilega and China Miéville as contributors you know it’s legit.
February 19, 2024
This book is nothing like the kind of catalogues which usually accompany an exhibition. This is a series of essays, mostly focussing on the art of writing fantasy novels although there are excursions into creating props for fantasy films, gaming and fandom. Each essay is short and accessible and provides a real insight into most aspects of fantasy writing from authors including legends such as Marina Warner, Neil Gaiman, China Mieville and Maria Dahvana Headley.
I really enjoyed reading this book, partly because I like this kind of dissection and analysis of a genre but I also found it very much inspired me to add several works, many books which are entirely new to me, to my reading list.
It is also a beautiful book, richly illustrated with objects from the exhibition held at the British Library; book jackets, original manuscripts, illustrations and costumes. If you enjoy the escapism of fantasy fiction, movies or gaming you will appreciate this book.
I really enjoyed reading this book, partly because I like this kind of dissection and analysis of a genre but I also found it very much inspired me to add several works, many books which are entirely new to me, to my reading list.
It is also a beautiful book, richly illustrated with objects from the exhibition held at the British Library; book jackets, original manuscripts, illustrations and costumes. If you enjoy the escapism of fantasy fiction, movies or gaming you will appreciate this book.
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October 15, 2025Like the exhibition itself, these essays exposed me, the fantasy illiterate, to ideas and authors I’d never contemplated, and gave interesting background to those cultural touchstones even I knew. I was particularly taken with the significant section on the uncanny (which I have more of a grasp on).
In its closing section there’s an unflinchingly earnest discussion of how fandom, in the 21st century sense, grapples with authors of beloved works who have made themselves odious. The editors could hardly have anticipated the news about the writer of the book’s introduction, who is cited throughout as an exemplar of the modern fantasy milieu.
In its closing section there’s an unflinchingly earnest discussion of how fandom, in the 21st century sense, grapples with authors of beloved works who have made themselves odious. The editors could hardly have anticipated the news about the writer of the book’s introduction, who is cited throughout as an exemplar of the modern fantasy milieu.
December 11, 2023
A perfect mix of interesting and informative, clever but not too dry - the perfect book for readers who know all the fantasy texts writing about or those who are learning about them for the first time :)
April 7, 2024
Fascinating book, companion to an excellent exhibition. If you are in any way interested in the history of Fantasy (in all its forms) then I can recommend both.
June 25, 2025
This was part of an extraordinary exhibition. I love fantasy and this book deepened my love of it.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews