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Stranger Things: Worlds Turned Upside Down: The Official Behind-the-Scenes Companion
The official behind-the-scenes companion guide to the first two seasons of Stranger Things and beyond, featuring exclusive color photos and stunning concept art.
Note: This book has been designed to mimic a used book. The marks, scuffs, and tears on the cover and pages are an intentional design element.
Stranger things have happened. . . .
When the first season of Stranger Things debuted on Netflix in the summer of 2016, the show struck a nerve with millions of viewers worldwide and received broad critical acclaim. The series has gone on to win six Emmy Awards, but its success was driven more than anything by word of mouth, resonating across generations. Viewers feel personal connections to the characters. Now fans can immerse themselves in the world—or worlds—of Hawkins, Indiana, like never before. Inside you’ll find
• original commentary and a foreword from creators Matt and Ross Duffer
• exclusive interviews with the stars of the show, including Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, and David Harbour
• the show’s earliest drafts, pitches to Netflix, and casting calls
• insights into the Duffers’ creative process from the entire crew—from costume and set designers to composers and visual-effects specialists
• deep dives into the cultural artifacts and references that inspired the look and feel of the show
• a map of everyday Hawkins—with clues charting the network of the Upside Down
• the Morse code disk Eleven uses, so you can decipher secret messages embedded throughout the text
• a look into the future of the series—including a sneak preview of season three!
Adding whole new layers to enrich the viewing experience, this keepsake is essential reading for anyone and everyone who loves Stranger Things.
Note: This book has been designed to mimic a used book. The marks, scuffs, and tears on the cover and pages are an intentional design element.
Stranger things have happened. . . .
When the first season of Stranger Things debuted on Netflix in the summer of 2016, the show struck a nerve with millions of viewers worldwide and received broad critical acclaim. The series has gone on to win six Emmy Awards, but its success was driven more than anything by word of mouth, resonating across generations. Viewers feel personal connections to the characters. Now fans can immerse themselves in the world—or worlds—of Hawkins, Indiana, like never before. Inside you’ll find
• original commentary and a foreword from creators Matt and Ross Duffer
• exclusive interviews with the stars of the show, including Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, and David Harbour
• the show’s earliest drafts, pitches to Netflix, and casting calls
• insights into the Duffers’ creative process from the entire crew—from costume and set designers to composers and visual-effects specialists
• deep dives into the cultural artifacts and references that inspired the look and feel of the show
• a map of everyday Hawkins—with clues charting the network of the Upside Down
• the Morse code disk Eleven uses, so you can decipher secret messages embedded throughout the text
• a look into the future of the series—including a sneak preview of season three!
Adding whole new layers to enrich the viewing experience, this keepsake is essential reading for anyone and everyone who loves Stranger Things.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published October 30, 2018
316 people are currently reading
3417 people want to read
About the author
Gina McIntyre
386 books22 followersGina McIntyre is the New York Times best-selling author of Stranger Things: Worlds Turned Upside Down. Her other books include Guillermo Del Toro's The Shape of Water: Creating a Fairy Tale for Troubled Times, The Art of Ready Player One, and Star Wars Icons: Han Solo. Her writing has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, the Hollywood Reporter, and Entertainment Weekly.
She lives with her husband and daughter in Riverside, Illinois.
She lives with her husband and daughter in Riverside, Illinois.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 426 reviews
November 22, 2018
This book is fanfreakingtastic! Will add pictures, etc. later on
Happy Reading!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Well here's some pics!
The front cover vet is sooo cool as Stranger Things do. The cover looks old and even has a used book sticker! I love it!
They even have an upside down section!
The rest of the pictures are just some random coolness, a map and a drawing on the inside cover page. They have plastic around it a library book too.
Highly recommend peeps 😊🖤🐶🐺🐾
Happy Reading!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Well here's some pics!
The front cover vet is sooo cool as Stranger Things do. The cover looks old and even has a used book sticker! I love it!
They even have an upside down section!
The rest of the pictures are just some random coolness, a map and a drawing on the inside cover page. They have plastic around it a library book too.
Highly recommend peeps 😊🖤🐶🐺🐾
January 10, 2019
This is an absolute must read for ANY and every Stranger Things fan out there. I’m obsessed with this show and getting an inside look at how it all came together was such a treat! And seeing all the work and sweat that went into it makes me love the show even more, it truly is a labour of love. I really enjoyed getting to know more about the actors and how the characters were shaped around what the actors brought to the table. I think that’s a big part of what makes this show so great, you can just feel that they put so much of themselves into their roles. I also really enjoyed the bits that showed the inspiration behind the show, you can really see how it influences the show. I could go on and on but honestly, go buy it and read it yourself, it’s absolutely 100% worth it!
April 11, 2019
First of all if you have not watched season 1 on Netflix do not waste your. money on this book.
Second is the odd cover as it says "Don't Freak! this supported to look worn & torn" that is why it has special plastic cover. I sorry I think it's silly.
Thirdly part of the book pages 130-144 are upside down.
This really good TV companion to a dark Ghotic creep show. Lots of missing information facts on background like Nancy Wheeler, HNL, Max Mayfield, Billy Hargrove & of all little missing extras that ended up on the cutting floor.
So if you like me are Big fan of the show this book is a must for you but be warned it is not a cheap book at £25 but it is good one.
Best of all like Easter eggs they are three hidden extras unfold the cover on the back for the black & white illustration which you could miss if don't take off the cover, next a map at the back & the International Morse Code Pocket Signal Disk oppesid the Credits. The extra extras
Second is the odd cover as it says "Don't Freak! this supported to look worn & torn" that is why it has special plastic cover. I sorry I think it's silly.
Thirdly part of the book pages 130-144 are upside down.
This really good TV companion to a dark Ghotic creep show. Lots of missing information facts on background like Nancy Wheeler, HNL, Max Mayfield, Billy Hargrove & of all little missing extras that ended up on the cutting floor.
So if you like me are Big fan of the show this book is a must for you but be warned it is not a cheap book at £25 but it is good one.
Best of all like Easter eggs they are three hidden extras unfold the cover on the back for the black & white illustration which you could miss if don't take off the cover, next a map at the back & the International Morse Code Pocket Signal Disk oppesid the Credits. The extra extras
June 12, 2022
A total must have for filmmakers and fans of this show!
April 2, 2019
Essential reading for fans of the popular Netflix TV series who want to take a peak behind the curtains to see how the show is produced and learn about the actors who make the characters so enjoyable to watch on the small screen.
Focusing on the first two seasons with a sneak of what's to come in season 3, Worlds Turned Upside Down is a great source of information. It delves into the writing, production, and post production process to give the reader a well-rounded look inside the hive mind that birthed the nostalgic horror/supernatural 80's throwback series.
Accompanying the facts are some interesting footnotes of the influences which contributed to the look and feel of the series, but one of the real strengths of this book is the art; locale photos, action shots (with detailed explanation about the filming process), costume design, and storyboards to name a few.
My rating: 5/5 stars. Worlds Turned Upside Down is a fun, easy to read coffee table companion to the series proper. A must read for fans.
Focusing on the first two seasons with a sneak of what's to come in season 3, Worlds Turned Upside Down is a great source of information. It delves into the writing, production, and post production process to give the reader a well-rounded look inside the hive mind that birthed the nostalgic horror/supernatural 80's throwback series.
Accompanying the facts are some interesting footnotes of the influences which contributed to the look and feel of the series, but one of the real strengths of this book is the art; locale photos, action shots (with detailed explanation about the filming process), costume design, and storyboards to name a few.
My rating: 5/5 stars. Worlds Turned Upside Down is a fun, easy to read coffee table companion to the series proper. A must read for fans.
July 20, 2019
This behind the scenes look on the making of Stranger Things is a must read for any fan of the show. It primarily covers season one, but also covers a good deal of season two with a little taste of the third season as well. I just love how they put together the book as well. It's very creative and it totally fits the series.
January 7, 2019
BUY THE BOOK
I love the show and I love this book. My friends got me this book for my birthday and it didnt disappoint. Its fantastic. I really love the old, tattered and worn look of the book and all the extras it has with it. Such as Will's drawing of the Shadow Monster as part of the inside cover.
There is also a map of Hawkins and a Morse code pocket guide and of course a plethora of behind the scenes and insight to the entire show and characters.
If you decide to buy this, I recommend buying the actual book. It offers so much more than you could get in the ebook.
BUY THE BOOK
I love the show and I love this book. My friends got me this book for my birthday and it didnt disappoint. Its fantastic. I really love the old, tattered and worn look of the book and all the extras it has with it. Such as Will's drawing of the Shadow Monster as part of the inside cover.
There is also a map of Hawkins and a Morse code pocket guide and of course a plethora of behind the scenes and insight to the entire show and characters.
If you decide to buy this, I recommend buying the actual book. It offers so much more than you could get in the ebook.
BUY THE BOOK
April 25, 2019
The first thing you notice about this book is that its creators have, like the TV show’s creators, done their best to evoke that 80s feel. It’s been made to appear like a secondhand book, complete with tastefully tatty cover and price sticker (from Melvald’s General Store, of course), nicely covered in a clear plastic protective sleeve. Inside, meanwhile, the photos have the slightly desaturated/high contrast look of a book printed thirty-plus years ago. And to cap things off, there’s a fold-out map of Hawkins and a detachable “Morse Code Pocket Signal Disk” — a duplicate of the one El uses in season 2 — at the back. So, if you’re a fan of the show and are wondering which to get, ebook or hardback, you should know that the hardback is really worth having. It’s a thing of tatty, nostalgic beauty.
The text goes through the history of the show, from its development by the Duffer Brothers, the assembly of the cast, and the filming of season 1 (which gets the most attention), to the phenomenon of that season’s success, then season 2. It mostly goes through the plot of both seasons, using that as a way to look (never in huge depth) at various aspects of the making of the show, both technical and artistic. There are brief interview snippets with cast and crew, and the book’s peppered with little 80s-appropriate features on the main actors (D&D character sheets for Mike, Dustin, Lucas and Will, Hawkins Lab secret files on El, Joyce and Hopper, and so on). And there’s loads of full-colour photos throughout, many of which I hadn’t seen before — so, not just stills from the show as you’ll have seen it on-screen. (I guess they’re from alternative takes or an on-set photographer.)
A great book for fans of the series, then. It ends with a 6-page Epilogue hinting at what’s coming in season 3. (Or Stranger Things 3, as it’ll no doubt be called, unless the Duffers follow their Jaws obsession and call it Stranger Things 3D! Now there’s an idea…)
(There are a handful of morse code “secret messages” hidden in the book, which you can use the code wheel to decipher. Don’t expect them to make much sense, though, but perhaps the internet will have worked out exactly what they mean by the time you’re reading this.)
The text goes through the history of the show, from its development by the Duffer Brothers, the assembly of the cast, and the filming of season 1 (which gets the most attention), to the phenomenon of that season’s success, then season 2. It mostly goes through the plot of both seasons, using that as a way to look (never in huge depth) at various aspects of the making of the show, both technical and artistic. There are brief interview snippets with cast and crew, and the book’s peppered with little 80s-appropriate features on the main actors (D&D character sheets for Mike, Dustin, Lucas and Will, Hawkins Lab secret files on El, Joyce and Hopper, and so on). And there’s loads of full-colour photos throughout, many of which I hadn’t seen before — so, not just stills from the show as you’ll have seen it on-screen. (I guess they’re from alternative takes or an on-set photographer.)
A great book for fans of the series, then. It ends with a 6-page Epilogue hinting at what’s coming in season 3. (Or Stranger Things 3, as it’ll no doubt be called, unless the Duffers follow their Jaws obsession and call it Stranger Things 3D! Now there’s an idea…)
(There are a handful of morse code “secret messages” hidden in the book, which you can use the code wheel to decipher. Don’t expect them to make much sense, though, but perhaps the internet will have worked out exactly what they mean by the time you’re reading this.)
November 27, 2018
Full review at Tenacious Reader: http://www.tenaciousreader.com/2018/1...
This is a book that just made me smile the minute I received it and any time I would pick it up after that. The entire book is so incredibly retro, straight down to the worn look, complete with plastic protector to prevent further damage. I mean, even the FAIR condition sticker from Melvad’s General Store on the front brings me joy. This is just one tiny example of the details they put in to this book that make it transport you to a different time and place. And if I was this excited about just the outside of the book, I knew I would love what the inside had to offer as well.
Heh … even just the inside of the dust jacket is awesome!
The book contains much of what you would expect, including a foreword by Matt and Ross Duffer, interviews with the cast, explanations about the decisions and thought process that went into pretty much every detail of the show, from house selection and furnishings, to costumes and location. I enjoyed reading about how nervous everyone was about the initial filming, about how the boys just clicked and what scenes were more of a challenge for the new actors. It was an interesting way to revisit the show that I love so much, letting me recall details by getting a completely different perspective of show.
So, if reading the behind the scenes details of the show isn’t quite enough, they have also included secret messages, which can be discovered and deciphered using the included Morse code disc. And yes, I did decode messages I found in the book, though I haven’t quite figured out what the decoded messages mean. Regardless, it was fun to hunt and decode. It’s a nice touch to add a bit of a quest or treasure hunt for us to make the book a bit more interactive rather than just all behind the scenes and background information.
As we are all anxiously awaiting season three, it was a thrill to revisit details from the first two seasons and the interviews and behind the scenes information really added to that experience. However, I have to confess the visual aspect of the book, including the styling and photos, were probably my favorite aspect of the book.
Over all I love that this is the type of book I can flip through and read bits and pieces as I have time, I can focus on a character or a place or whatever strikes my fancy at the moment. So I definitely find it interesting beyond just the visual (as much as I love it). It is a book that guests can ohh and ahh over as they get the experience of exploring the Stranger Things world because what really makes the book shine is the overall style, all the retro details and the photos. The rest is just an added bonus.
This is a book that just made me smile the minute I received it and any time I would pick it up after that. The entire book is so incredibly retro, straight down to the worn look, complete with plastic protector to prevent further damage. I mean, even the FAIR condition sticker from Melvad’s General Store on the front brings me joy. This is just one tiny example of the details they put in to this book that make it transport you to a different time and place. And if I was this excited about just the outside of the book, I knew I would love what the inside had to offer as well.
Heh … even just the inside of the dust jacket is awesome!
The book contains much of what you would expect, including a foreword by Matt and Ross Duffer, interviews with the cast, explanations about the decisions and thought process that went into pretty much every detail of the show, from house selection and furnishings, to costumes and location. I enjoyed reading about how nervous everyone was about the initial filming, about how the boys just clicked and what scenes were more of a challenge for the new actors. It was an interesting way to revisit the show that I love so much, letting me recall details by getting a completely different perspective of show.
So, if reading the behind the scenes details of the show isn’t quite enough, they have also included secret messages, which can be discovered and deciphered using the included Morse code disc. And yes, I did decode messages I found in the book, though I haven’t quite figured out what the decoded messages mean. Regardless, it was fun to hunt and decode. It’s a nice touch to add a bit of a quest or treasure hunt for us to make the book a bit more interactive rather than just all behind the scenes and background information.
As we are all anxiously awaiting season three, it was a thrill to revisit details from the first two seasons and the interviews and behind the scenes information really added to that experience. However, I have to confess the visual aspect of the book, including the styling and photos, were probably my favorite aspect of the book.
Over all I love that this is the type of book I can flip through and read bits and pieces as I have time, I can focus on a character or a place or whatever strikes my fancy at the moment. So I definitely find it interesting beyond just the visual (as much as I love it). It is a book that guests can ohh and ahh over as they get the experience of exploring the Stranger Things world because what really makes the book shine is the overall style, all the retro details and the photos. The rest is just an added bonus.
February 9, 2019
I spotted this hiding amongst the shelves whilst shopping, I pulled out the book and was greeted by a worn looking cover reminiscent of a book from the 80s. It was the perfect cover for this book!
I had a quick flick through whilst standing amongst the books and thought it was a must buy. I've always loved behind the scenes of any show or film and this was great!
Some of the information I had seen before and was a partial recap, but there was a lot of new parts that I hadn't. The book had a lot about the references and influences drawn upon for individual scenes, the characters, set design, etc. These were paired with photos and footnotes - some footnotes were maybe a little self-explanatory but no harm in covering all bases.
Included were several behind the photos and direct cast/producer quotes which were really great! The foreword and afterword were really cute and immersive inclusions - I have no problem being called a nerd by the Duffer Brothers!
There is also a minor sneak peek into the plans of season three which is incredibly intriguing!
Another note I can't miss is how nicely the whole book is formatted, the layout and fonts, etc. It is a perfect blend of retro with a Stranger Things twist. The hardcover also makes it a nice addition to my bookshelf. It is quite a large book - maybe an inch off A4 so it isn't the easier to carry around if you wanted to read it whilst out and about. This isn't particularly a fault or anything but perhaps worth mentioning.
If you're a fan of Stranger Things or looking for gift for a lover of the show, this is a great book. I enjoyed every page in it :-)
I had a quick flick through whilst standing amongst the books and thought it was a must buy. I've always loved behind the scenes of any show or film and this was great!
Some of the information I had seen before and was a partial recap, but there was a lot of new parts that I hadn't. The book had a lot about the references and influences drawn upon for individual scenes, the characters, set design, etc. These were paired with photos and footnotes - some footnotes were maybe a little self-explanatory but no harm in covering all bases.
Included were several behind the photos and direct cast/producer quotes which were really great! The foreword and afterword were really cute and immersive inclusions - I have no problem being called a nerd by the Duffer Brothers!
There is also a minor sneak peek into the plans of season three which is incredibly intriguing!
Another note I can't miss is how nicely the whole book is formatted, the layout and fonts, etc. It is a perfect blend of retro with a Stranger Things twist. The hardcover also makes it a nice addition to my bookshelf. It is quite a large book - maybe an inch off A4 so it isn't the easier to carry around if you wanted to read it whilst out and about. This isn't particularly a fault or anything but perhaps worth mentioning.
If you're a fan of Stranger Things or looking for gift for a lover of the show, this is a great book. I enjoyed every page in it :-)
August 27, 2020
Wer schon mal eine Handvoll Artikel zur Serie gelesen hat, wird hier wenig Neues finden.
Trotzdem ist das Buch sein Geld wert - liebevoll gestaltet, künstlich gealtert mit Schutzumschlag über dem vorgeblich kaputten Schutzumschlag, einer Karte von Hawkins, einem herauslösbarem Kärtchen mit Morse- und Fähnchen Code.
Ich kann mir aber vorstellen, dass Leute, die jünger sind als ich, mehr Freude an diesem Buch haben werden - weil es für diese tatsächlich etwas Neues zu entdecken gibt.
Für mich sind die Filmzitate, die Musikerläuterungen und Fußnoten eher überflüssig - und das obwohl ich mich im Gegensatz zu Filmnärrinnen wie Frau Blücher und Nicola eher als Anfänger (wenn überhaupt) begreife - selbst ICH habe die Referenzen dieser Serie beim ersten Sehen begriffen und gefeiert. Insofern - nicht viel Neues gelernt. Für Leute mit Nachholbedarf ist es aber uneingeschränkt empfehlenswert - zumal sie vielleicht dadurch mal vernünftiges Zeug kennenlernen und nicht den Auswurf an Popkultur, den sie uns heute servieren.
Trotzdem ist das Buch sein Geld wert - liebevoll gestaltet, künstlich gealtert mit Schutzumschlag über dem vorgeblich kaputten Schutzumschlag, einer Karte von Hawkins, einem herauslösbarem Kärtchen mit Morse- und Fähnchen Code.
Ich kann mir aber vorstellen, dass Leute, die jünger sind als ich, mehr Freude an diesem Buch haben werden - weil es für diese tatsächlich etwas Neues zu entdecken gibt.
Für mich sind die Filmzitate, die Musikerläuterungen und Fußnoten eher überflüssig - und das obwohl ich mich im Gegensatz zu Filmnärrinnen wie Frau Blücher und Nicola eher als Anfänger (wenn überhaupt) begreife - selbst ICH habe die Referenzen dieser Serie beim ersten Sehen begriffen und gefeiert. Insofern - nicht viel Neues gelernt. Für Leute mit Nachholbedarf ist es aber uneingeschränkt empfehlenswert - zumal sie vielleicht dadurch mal vernünftiges Zeug kennenlernen und nicht den Auswurf an Popkultur, den sie uns heute servieren.
July 2, 2022
This is an interesting behind the scenes look at the creation of Stranger Things through the first two seasons. It talks a lot about the Duffer Brothers’ inspiration and how they initially created the show. Some of my favorite parts of the book were when it went in depth with the set design for different characters’ houses or the creation of The Upside Down and the Demogorgon.
However, something really bugged me about this book. The fucking footnotes. There would be random footnotes that were adding the most unnecessary information. Like something to the effect of “ET is a movie by Steven Spielberg where a boy befriends an alien.” No shit. I feel like anyone voluntarily reading a book about Stranger Things knows what ET is. There were just so many footnotes in the same vein. They felt like they were breaking up the flow of the book.
However, something really bugged me about this book. The fucking footnotes. There would be random footnotes that were adding the most unnecessary information. Like something to the effect of “ET is a movie by Steven Spielberg where a boy befriends an alien.” No shit. I feel like anyone voluntarily reading a book about Stranger Things knows what ET is. There were just so many footnotes in the same vein. They felt like they were breaking up the flow of the book.
September 4, 2022
This book is for you, for joining us on this journey and continuing to inspire us… and it's for anyone who dreams for a living or dreams of dreaming for a living. Because this world needs more storytellers. It needs more dreamers.
I can't express the love I have for this book, nor can I properly convey the joy it brought each and every day I spent with it. The unique cover design alone, as well as many photos of
iconic moments taken directly from the first two seasons, would be enough to grab your attention, but Stranger Things: Worlds Turned Upside Down was much more than surface level art. The author, Gina McIntyre, plunged deeper than most books on the subject probably would have, and her prose was simplistic, beautiful and fully engaging. It was also consistent from start to finish. Featuring an epilogue by executive producer, Shawn Levy, and a forward by Matt and Ross Duffer, it's a book that every fan of the show NEEDS to own, preferably a physical copy.
The HIGHEST recommendation possible, based solely on McIntyre's text, which was utterly fascinating and chronicled the origins of a show that's come to redefine the generation. The interior and exterior designs were secondary and served as a massive bonus.
Our show is an anthem for the marginalized and imperfect, precisely because the Duffer brothers know from experience that character, grit, connection, and soul are bred in the same moments that challenge us most.
April 20, 2019
Scusate, ma per me è una perla.
Da grande, gigantesca fan della serie TV "Stranger Things" cerco di collezionare ogni documento sulla storia della sua nascita.
"Stranger Things. Il libro ufficiale" ci è stato recapitato, come dice il titolo stesso, in maniera ufficiale da chi di questa serie ne capisce davvero, tramite un'edizione curata nei minimi dettagli e contenente anche due inserti molto carini.
Dalle ispirazioni classiche - come i romanzi di Stephen King - alle innovative idee dei fratelli Duffer, il prodotto finito che ci viene presentato su Netflix è solo una parte di tutto ciò che dobbiamo sapere e conoscere.
Gli attori che recitano nei panni dei nostri personaggi preferiti hanno tanto da dire e raccontare riguardo alle evoluzioni dei protagonisti durante la serie, che non sono indiffirenti e che ci vengono promesse anche per la nuova stagione in arrivo in estate.
Io non riesco più a resistere, non vedo l'ora di scoprire cosa succederà.
Intanto do un consiglio a voi che mi leggete e che amate Stranger Things come me: recuperate questa meraviglia.
Da grande, gigantesca fan della serie TV "Stranger Things" cerco di collezionare ogni documento sulla storia della sua nascita.
"Stranger Things. Il libro ufficiale" ci è stato recapitato, come dice il titolo stesso, in maniera ufficiale da chi di questa serie ne capisce davvero, tramite un'edizione curata nei minimi dettagli e contenente anche due inserti molto carini.
Dalle ispirazioni classiche - come i romanzi di Stephen King - alle innovative idee dei fratelli Duffer, il prodotto finito che ci viene presentato su Netflix è solo una parte di tutto ciò che dobbiamo sapere e conoscere.
Gli attori che recitano nei panni dei nostri personaggi preferiti hanno tanto da dire e raccontare riguardo alle evoluzioni dei protagonisti durante la serie, che non sono indiffirenti e che ci vengono promesse anche per la nuova stagione in arrivo in estate.
Io non riesco più a resistere, non vedo l'ora di scoprire cosa succederà.
Intanto do un consiglio a voi che mi leggete e che amate Stranger Things come me: recuperate questa meraviglia.
December 27, 2018
"Denn diese Welt braucht mehr Geschichtenerzähler. Sie braucht mehr Träumer. Und, ja, sie braucht mehr Nerds."
Couldn't agree more with the Duffer brothers.
Perfektes Buch für jeden Stranger Things Fan und definitiv jeden Cent wert. Wunderschöne Fotos, haufenweise Hintergrundinformation und Liebe zum Detail.
Couldn't agree more with the Duffer brothers.
Perfektes Buch für jeden Stranger Things Fan und definitiv jeden Cent wert. Wunderschöne Fotos, haufenweise Hintergrundinformation und Liebe zum Detail.
November 13, 2018
Fans buy companion guides like this for the novelty and to flip through on occasion. Few read the work from cover to cover. However, I decided to give it a go. And I had a blast.
I could not start this review without noting the incredible design details that highlight this book. The cover art, the torn dust jacket, the plastic cover reminiscent of a well-used library book, the convincing distressed look, the fold out map in the back, the drawing on the inside of the jacket... I could go on. It's worth the buy for looks alone.
As far as its contents, this behind-the-scenes guide largely deals with the inspiration behind the Duffer brothers creation. Including a section on the various books and films that had a part in crafting the young brothers' minds, famed media that would go on to contribute to what is arguably one of the best Peak TV experiences on the streaming market.
Further forward, it becomes a compendium of artistic images, behind-the-scenes photos, and whimsical character descriptions with an artistic edge. One section outlines the four young male leads with Character Cards, another in faux file folders from Hawkins lab.
An enjoyable section discusses how some of the details of the show are made and the incredible amount of artistry and craft that goes into each and every second of film. You'll learn to appreciate the Duffer brothers preference for hand-built sets over CGI as much as possible, a conviction true for everything from set design to the hunt for authentic props, and even the demogorgon itself.
Perhaps most tantalizing section in this book for fans is the last section which hints at plans for season three of Stranger Things, which is not slated for release until Summer 2019.
WHAT WOULD I CHANGE
The writing itself fails to impress. The content is there, but it could be better delivered. It reads a bit disjointed, often jumping about depending on the images and layout which makes it a bit frustrating to read cover to cover. The thread from beginning to end is not consistent, it webs rather than continue in a straight line. It was certainly readable, but more like an internet-mag article than a full book. Again, this book is not inherently designed to be read at one sitting. Instead, the creators know that this is a coffee table book for most. Something to flip through and enjoy by segments.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
This companion guide is a beautiful, well-constructed addition to any fan's hoard. It's well-worth getting if you feel the same kinship to Stranger Things that has captured the hearts of so many around the globe. Del Rey certainly deserves an award for external design, though the writing itself left more to be desired. The contents capture fan interest and will make you appreciate the scope of Peak TV work with all its cinematic quality and how it is changing the visual stories we tell.
I could not start this review without noting the incredible design details that highlight this book. The cover art, the torn dust jacket, the plastic cover reminiscent of a well-used library book, the convincing distressed look, the fold out map in the back, the drawing on the inside of the jacket... I could go on. It's worth the buy for looks alone.
As far as its contents, this behind-the-scenes guide largely deals with the inspiration behind the Duffer brothers creation. Including a section on the various books and films that had a part in crafting the young brothers' minds, famed media that would go on to contribute to what is arguably one of the best Peak TV experiences on the streaming market.
Further forward, it becomes a compendium of artistic images, behind-the-scenes photos, and whimsical character descriptions with an artistic edge. One section outlines the four young male leads with Character Cards, another in faux file folders from Hawkins lab.
An enjoyable section discusses how some of the details of the show are made and the incredible amount of artistry and craft that goes into each and every second of film. You'll learn to appreciate the Duffer brothers preference for hand-built sets over CGI as much as possible, a conviction true for everything from set design to the hunt for authentic props, and even the demogorgon itself.
Perhaps most tantalizing section in this book for fans is the last section which hints at plans for season three of Stranger Things, which is not slated for release until Summer 2019.
WHAT WOULD I CHANGE
The writing itself fails to impress. The content is there, but it could be better delivered. It reads a bit disjointed, often jumping about depending on the images and layout which makes it a bit frustrating to read cover to cover. The thread from beginning to end is not consistent, it webs rather than continue in a straight line. It was certainly readable, but more like an internet-mag article than a full book. Again, this book is not inherently designed to be read at one sitting. Instead, the creators know that this is a coffee table book for most. Something to flip through and enjoy by segments.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
This companion guide is a beautiful, well-constructed addition to any fan's hoard. It's well-worth getting if you feel the same kinship to Stranger Things that has captured the hearts of so many around the globe. Del Rey certainly deserves an award for external design, though the writing itself left more to be desired. The contents capture fan interest and will make you appreciate the scope of Peak TV work with all its cinematic quality and how it is changing the visual stories we tell.
October 31, 2018
This book deserves at least one star simply for its aesthetic: faux-distressed, stickered by "Melvald's General Store in Hawkins, IN, and full-page, full-color pictures. Beyond that, it fails to capture the substance of the show. It reads like a poorly written Entertainment Weekly article, or as a thin defense against allegations of plagiarism by the Duffer Brothers, but it's fun, especially the quotes from the show's five young stars. (And I love Winona Ryder too.) The Epilogue is a short sneak peek at Season 3 (I can't wait until summer 2019 - I could be trapped in the Upside Down by then!)
April 21, 2020
Muy buena edición con muchos detalles. Si eres fan de la serie, no puede faltar este libro en tu colección.
Cuenta la creación de esta y el detrás de las cámaras (tanto de la primera temporada como de la segunda).
El libro es barato para todos los recortes coleccionistas y el formato de edición que viene.
Cuenta la creación de esta y el detrás de las cámaras (tanto de la primera temporada como de la segunda).
El libro es barato para todos los recortes coleccionistas y el formato de edición que viene.
November 6, 2018
Loved this. It was a great book for any lover of Stranger Things like me!
September 7, 2019
Ideal para los fans de la serie. El libro cuenta como surgió y fue desarrollándose la idea, contiene muchas curiosidades y explica los guiños y homenajes que la serie hace a otras famosas películas y novelas de los 80. Contiene fotogramas de la serie y algunas fotos del rodaje.
Me ha encantado volver a la historia a través de este libro, disfruté muchísimo con la primera temporada de la serie que para mí fue toda una revelación y algo distinto a lo que se estaba haciendo hasta el momento. Espero que sigan haciéndolo tan bien como hasta ahora porque a mí me tienen en el bote.
Me ha encantado volver a la historia a través de este libro, disfruté muchísimo con la primera temporada de la serie que para mí fue toda una revelación y algo distinto a lo que se estaba haciendo hasta el momento. Espero que sigan haciéndolo tan bien como hasta ahora porque a mí me tienen en el bote.
August 4, 2022
Ugh. How I wish this was written after all five seasons had been released. This is like a coffee table book that you ACTUALLY want to read and not just look through the pictures. I loved learning about the Duffer Brother's original intentions for the show and about the inspiration behind EVERYTHING. You will learn so much reading this (only about seasons 1 & 2, but oh well!).
If you like Stranger Things and you want to know the who, what, where, when, how and why behind the show, check this out!
If you like Stranger Things and you want to know the who, what, where, when, how and why behind the show, check this out!
September 15, 2022
If you’ve watched and enjoyed at least the first two seasons of Stranger Things (and don’t mind a couple possible season 3 spoilers) and haven’t read this book yet, be sure to correct that mistake as soon as possible because it’s a fun overview and peek behind the scenes. I especially appreciated learning more about the Duffer Brothers, their influences, and their process. The interviews with the actors didn’t feel especially insightful, but that could just be me.
I did listen to the audiobook, which was really well-performed. However, I missed out on the fun design, page-layouts, pictures and/or illustrations in the print version, which detracted a bit from the experience.
I did listen to the audiobook, which was really well-performed. However, I missed out on the fun design, page-layouts, pictures and/or illustrations in the print version, which detracted a bit from the experience.
August 28, 2022
used to eat this book up in middle school, very cute
December 21, 2025
This is a must read for Stranger Things fans. The shows first season was released in 2016. I bought this a few years back and finally got around to reading it. It covers the first season and talks about the characters and behind the scenes. The cover is ripped up and looks totally cool, wrapped in plastic. Loved it.🖤❤️
November 19, 2018
As a fan of Stranger Things (I’m probably not a level-crazy fan, but I do own an Eleven Funko, several t-shirts that I wear in my weekly rotation, and I dressed my dog as a Demogorgon for Halloween), I think this book is a must-own.
I mean, just look at it.
It is one of those books I put in a category called, The Argument for Buying Real Books. Super amazing dustjacket designed to look like a vintage book you’d find secondhand, complete with a sticker from the general store in Hawkins. Full four-color interior with great photos of the cast, behind-the-scenes shots, an intricate design that goes with the themes of the show (there’s even an upside-down section!), and even a decoder and secret codes all over the pages! Yeah, it’s good.
I enjoyed reading through it. It even got me psyched to re-watch season one—which of course I binged over a weekend. Gosh, it’s hard to stop watching this show! Why is it so good?
If you are a super-fan, the contents of this book probably doesn’t have a lot of new information to offer you. I most enjoyed the first section that goes through the initial conception of the project (no one wanted to buy it!) and how the Duffer Brothers began as students of film and how their careers brought them to Stranger Things.
The details on the second season are especially thin. It mostly does some brief plot synopsis and inserts some parts of interviews with the actors. I really would have liked to know more information about the behind the scenes stuff, especially since so much of ST is done without a green screen.
There is a short section with a few details of what is to come for season three, so if you are just itching for any and all news, you’ll probably need to give it a read. Overall, this is a fun book and will make a great Christmas present for fans!
My thanks to Random House and Del Rey for sending me a copy of this one to read and review.
I mean, just look at it.
It is one of those books I put in a category called, The Argument for Buying Real Books. Super amazing dustjacket designed to look like a vintage book you’d find secondhand, complete with a sticker from the general store in Hawkins. Full four-color interior with great photos of the cast, behind-the-scenes shots, an intricate design that goes with the themes of the show (there’s even an upside-down section!), and even a decoder and secret codes all over the pages! Yeah, it’s good.
I enjoyed reading through it. It even got me psyched to re-watch season one—which of course I binged over a weekend. Gosh, it’s hard to stop watching this show! Why is it so good?
If you are a super-fan, the contents of this book probably doesn’t have a lot of new information to offer you. I most enjoyed the first section that goes through the initial conception of the project (no one wanted to buy it!) and how the Duffer Brothers began as students of film and how their careers brought them to Stranger Things.
The details on the second season are especially thin. It mostly does some brief plot synopsis and inserts some parts of interviews with the actors. I really would have liked to know more information about the behind the scenes stuff, especially since so much of ST is done without a green screen.
There is a short section with a few details of what is to come for season three, so if you are just itching for any and all news, you’ll probably need to give it a read. Overall, this is a fun book and will make a great Christmas present for fans!
My thanks to Random House and Del Rey for sending me a copy of this one to read and review.
July 7, 2019
I really like Stranger Things and with the third season just about to be released, I thought it was time I picked up this behind the scenes look at the show.
The content of this book was fantastic. It was interesting to learn more about the creators of the show, the Duffer Brothers, and their inspirations for the series. There were also interviews with members of the crew, from costume designers to visual-effects specialists, which gave an fascinating insight into the production of the series, while the actors offered interesting perspectives on their roles. There were plenty of on location photos which enabled you to see more of certain sets and notice things that were not so easy to spot while watching the show. The book concluded with a look to the future in the form of Stranger Things 3, which made me even more excited for the new season.
Worlds Turned Upside Down was genuinely fantastic and easily one of the best companion books to a TV series that I have ever read, so obviously I would wholeheartedly recommend this to fans of Stranger Things.
Rating - 5/5
★★★★★
There is also a link to this review on my blog here!
The content of this book was fantastic. It was interesting to learn more about the creators of the show, the Duffer Brothers, and their inspirations for the series. There were also interviews with members of the crew, from costume designers to visual-effects specialists, which gave an fascinating insight into the production of the series, while the actors offered interesting perspectives on their roles. There were plenty of on location photos which enabled you to see more of certain sets and notice things that were not so easy to spot while watching the show. The book concluded with a look to the future in the form of Stranger Things 3, which made me even more excited for the new season.
Worlds Turned Upside Down was genuinely fantastic and easily one of the best companion books to a TV series that I have ever read, so obviously I would wholeheartedly recommend this to fans of Stranger Things.
Rating - 5/5
★★★★★
There is also a link to this review on my blog here!
January 20, 2019
The presentation of this book is fantastic. It was a pleasure to peruse, exploring the many glossy photos and inserts (not to mention surprises). While this book acts as a companion to the show, I did find much of the information within its pages a bit basic. A significant number of passages (scattered throughout the text) are dedicated to summarizing episodes or scenes, which anyone reading this book would have no doubt viewed at least once. Similarly, many of the footnotes are simplistic or point out connections that are fairly obvious (Did we need a footnote to explain what a perm is?).
Still, there are enough revelations here to make for an interesting read, and the presentation of the book really lifts it to new heights of enjoyment. I'd highly recommend this to any fan, as long as they note the text doesn't bother to dig very deep, but provides an entertaining presentation nonetheless.
Still, there are enough revelations here to make for an interesting read, and the presentation of the book really lifts it to new heights of enjoyment. I'd highly recommend this to any fan, as long as they note the text doesn't bother to dig very deep, but provides an entertaining presentation nonetheless.
June 27, 2020
Definitely recommend if you are in love with the Stranger Things series and you want to learn! ❤️
You learn about how the series was originally made and produced.
So insightful to the Duffer brothers journey and their inspiration for making this series.
I loved reading about the casting process and how the Duffer brothers changed original planning of characters to fit around the actors who they had fallen for during the audition process!
I feel like based on a lot of decisions that were changed for the reasons of the show no longer being only a 1 season show, I can predict so big endings in this final season of stranger things.
I am so interested in the process and production of all sorts of entertainment and I know how important every aspect of a project is to the final piece. I just loved learning more about one of my favourite shows!🤍
You learn about how the series was originally made and produced.
So insightful to the Duffer brothers journey and their inspiration for making this series.
I loved reading about the casting process and how the Duffer brothers changed original planning of characters to fit around the actors who they had fallen for during the audition process!
I feel like based on a lot of decisions that were changed for the reasons of the show no longer being only a 1 season show, I can predict so big endings in this final season of stranger things.
I am so interested in the process and production of all sorts of entertainment and I know how important every aspect of a project is to the final piece. I just loved learning more about one of my favourite shows!🤍
January 16, 2019
I don’t often read behind the scenes books but this was SO FUN
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