THE HILLS OF FARAWAY: A GUIDE TO FANTASY

New York: Atheneum, 1978. First edition. A fine copy in a fine dust jacket. (30968). Octavo, cloth. Signed by Waggoner on the front free end paper. A guide to the study of modern fantasy fiction with 996 annotated entries of which about three-fourths are fiction and the remainder are biographical and critical works. In addition to the checklist, the main focus of the book, there are lengthy chapters defining fantasy and establishing subgenres, along lines suggested by Tolkien's "On Fairy Stories" and Northrop Frye's Anatomy of Criticism (1957), and a historical overview from George MacDonald to the 1970s. Appendixes include a fantasy chronology 1858-1975, illustrated essay on fantasy illustration, a list of fantasy fiction by subgenre keyed to the main listing, and a list of fantasy award winners. "The annotations are vigorously and clearly written, often acerbic, and effectively blend plot summary and intelligent evaluation. There are some bibliographic inaccuracies and omissions, but these are more than offset by the work's scope, clarity and forceful writing. A first-rate guide..." - Barron (ed), Fantasy Literature 6-34 and Barron (ed), Horror Literature 6-34. Anatomy of Wonder (1987) 8-53. Burgess, Reference Guide to Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror (2002) 104.