Fantasy: Realms of Imagination

 On Sunday my son and I made a trip to the British Library to see the Fantasy: Realms of Imagination exhibition.   I'd been meaning to go for ages and when I finally got round to booking tickets a few weeks ago, discovered there were only a few left on the very last day.

The exhibition brought together books and manuscripts documenting the development of fantasy  literature... everything from Beowulf to Neil Gaiman, via Swift, the Brothers Grimm and Studio Gibhli

Despite living in London since 1987 I've never actually been to the British Library... can't think why, and I definitely need to go back for another visit.  The exhibition was, not surprisingly since it was the last day,  really busy.  There were a few confused looking small children who I guess had been dragged along by parents who expected to see a lot more Harry Potter, rather than Lord Dunsany and Susanna Clarke!  It was a fascinating look at some real foundation stones of the genre and an excellent day out.  I've come away with a long list of authors I hadn't heard of that I need to go and research!  There was a small Warhammer display which I thought was surprisingly low-key... especially as the exhibition was sponsored by Wayland Games.

Here are some highlights of the exhibition...

Sir Gawain & The Green Knight

Notes by Tolkien for the 1955 BBC radio adaptation

Gandalf's staff

Beowulf

Michael Palin's notes for Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Illustrations by Piranesi

...and notes by Susanna Clarke for her novel Piranesi.  If you haven't read it, you really should!

Gormenghast

Lovecraft

Alice in Wonderland

Neil Gaiman's Coraline

Lewis' Map of Narnia

The Colour of Magic