Description
Book SynopsisMarina Warner's study of the products of fantasy deepens our understanding of the supernatural in relation to self and society. This surprising story explores the metaphors and media that have been the stock in trade of poets, scientists, magicians, and visionaries, including wax and cloud, smoke and mirrors, ether, ectoplasm, and celluloid.
Trade ReviewRigorous research, dazzling cross-disciplinary leaps ... her passion seeps right through to the last page. * Observer Review. *
The sprawl of Warner's thesis is slightly overwhelming but her passion seeps right through to the last page. * Observer. *
Review from previous edition ...often manages splendidly vivid pictorial evocations ... a bold, imaginative and provocative study, with a range few other writers would dare. * Carolyne Larrington, Times Literary Supplement *
The general effect is rather like that of reading through a first-class encyclopedia. * Nigel Barley, Times Higher Education Supplement *
Frighteningly literate and well-informed * Roz Kaveney, Time Out *
Marina Warner is particularly well-equipped to conduct this investigation * Steven Connor, The Independent *
She is exquisitely alive not just to ideas and arguments, but also to the jag and whiff and tang of things * Steven Connor, The Independent *
Phantasmagoria is a cabinet of familiar wonders: a jetting, generous, humane spree of thought, richly quickened by the life it finds within us and adroad, in our media and machineries of mind. * Steven Connor, The Independent *
As always Warner's scholarship, eclecticism and inventiveness dazzle. * Bel Mooney, The Times *
It is a book of wonders. * Hilary Mantel,The Guardian *
Phantasmagoria is a fascinating history of spirited bodies and haunted machines, but a reminder too of why the metaphors still get under our skin * Brian Dillon, Daily Telegraph *
This book's enquiries are wide-ranging, pertinent and up-to- date. All Marina Warner's material is freshly and enticingly presented. * The Guardian, Hilary Mantel *
This book is a powerful statement. * Hilary Mantel,The Guardian *
Marina Warner is particularly well-equipped to conduct this investigation. * Stephen Connor, The Independent *
A densely layered book * Mike Dash, Sunday Telegraph *
She is exquisitely alive not just to ideas and arguments, but also to the jag and whiff and tang of things. * Stephen Connor, The Independent *
Phantasmagoria is a cabinet of familiar wonders: a jetting, generous, humane spree of thought, richly quickened by the life it finds within us and abroad, in our media and machineries of mind. * Stephen Connor, The Independent *
Table of ContentsI. WAX; II. AIR; III. CLOUDS; IV. LIGHT; V. SHADOW; VI. MIRROR; VII. GHOST; VIII. ETHER; IX. ECTOPLASM; X. FILM
