A true wonder! 4

First of three volumes published in then "Little encyclopedia," the "Great Encyclopedia of the wonderful" has just been reissued to our delight, this time in a large format. These new dimensions (30.2 x 24.8 cm) are particularly pleasant because there is a sense dentrer in a magic atmosphere, a universe of scrawl. In addition, coverage is superb: thick cardboard with silver decorations. The paper is of good quality and aged. Each page is peppered dillustrations often in color, over 650 in total: engravings, paintings, photos, drawings Sandrine Gestin. Each chapter seventeen entries, presented on a double page is richly illuminated by Alain-Marc Friez to limitation of medieval manuscripts. Sublime!
Of course, before you open it, I thought, "Great, but it comes umpteenth of a book that has information that lon everywhere, given the abundance douvrages on the magic." Well, not at all! This is actually a comprehensive encyclopedia and I discovered little number of elements treaties jignorais all. For example, I learned the existence of dragons fairies, one of the whale-horse, similar to that monster of Loch Ness, or that the priest-wolf who said Mass once a year for wolves ... Well still others.

The book is divided into three parts:
1 - "The people of the light" that matter those of the air, the forests, water, land and hills,
2 - "From the fantastic bestiary" which includes snakes and dragons, sea monsters and lakes, wolves and beasts pharamines, sacred animals and wizards, fantastic frames and fabulous birds,
3 - "The shadow of peoples" which include the peoples of the fear (or giant trolls for example), people from death including ghosts, cemeteries whose peoples vampires or zombies are part of the peoples of metamorphoses such humans who turn into animals, hell of peoples and nations to complete wizard.

The definitions for each creature may be supplemented by additional information. For example, for the "Banshee", details are given on the different functions and their cry so special. History, characteristics, various names according to regions and countries, activities, extracts dauteurs witnesses, personality, myths, Clothing, dress specifications, appearance physical, anecdotes, gifts and powers, behavior with humans , offerings to the acts to be avoided, conspiracies, hierarchy and social life ... All this is said, more or less, depending on the studied creatures. Some definitions are short, others sétalent on multiple pages (eg, the "Mermaid" has eight pages). To complete this work, a five-page bibliography is suggested. An index by name allows creatures to find them more easily.
What more? This encyclopedia is a gem. I ladore and I think that many readers will agree with me.

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