Gazetteers of Imaginary Places

Teyrnon · 12-06-2009, 01:30 PM

I'm looking for books either science fiction or fantasy that describe interesting places. I'm in the mood for travel guides to places that never were. Any recommendations?

Nate the great · 12-06-2009, 01:33 PM

Let's go old school:

Gulliver's Travels
Of the Best State of a Republic, and of the New Island Utopia

HarryT · 12-06-2009, 01:39 PM

The classic would probably be Sir Thomas Moore's "Utopia", an English translation of which you can download right here at MR. Or you could try Plato's "Timaeus" and "Critias", which describe "Atlantis" (it's where the legend of Atlantis originates); that's in the "Complete Works of Plato" which again you can download here at MR.

Sparrow · 12-06-2009, 01:43 PM

'Lost Horizon' by James Hilton - Shangri-La.
'Prisoner of Zenda' by Anthony Hope - Ruritania

HarryT · 12-06-2009, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparrow

'Lost Horizon' by James Hilton - Shangri-La.
'Prisoner of Zenda' by Anthony Hope - Ruritania

Aren't they books that are set in imaginary places, rather than being about imaginary places? They have a "story" - books like "Utopia" don't; it's just the description of a place.

Sparrow · 12-06-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Aren't they books that are set in imaginary places, rather than being about imaginary places? They have a "story" - books like "Utopia" don't; it's just the description of a place.

Ooops, you may have a point there.
But isn't 'Utopia' about politics and government, rather than topography?

WT Sharpe · 12-06-2009, 01:57 PM

I'm currently reading two translations of The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri. There are your descriptions of interesting places.

HarryT · 12-06-2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparrow

Ooops, you may have a point there.
But isn't 'Utopia' about politics and government, rather than topography?

Mostly, yes, although the book does have a map

.

HarryT · 12-06-2009, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

I'm currently reading two translations of The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri. There's your descriptions of interesting places.

VERY interesting places!

Sparrow · 12-06-2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Mostly, yes, although the book does have a map

.

Mine doesn't

- pesky cheap editions!

How about the island of Sert from Richard Herley's 'The Penal Colony'? That's described in a lot of detail (I thought it was an actual island, but apparently it isn't).

BenG · 12-06-2009, 04:56 PM

"The Dictionary of Imaginary Places" by Alberto Manguel is literally a gazetteer of imaginary places. I read the old version 25 years ago but its been updated to include places from newer works like Hogworts and Jurassic Park. Its entries aren't single sentence descriptions but are often pages long with maps and what you would want to know as a traveller.

http://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Ima.../dp/0156008726

Google Books has a preview:
http://books.google.com/books?id=T36...age&q=&f=false

12-06-2009, 01:30 PM	#1
Teyrnon Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 384 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: South Eastern United States Device: jetBook, Kindle DX, Kindle 3, Kindle Fire, Nook Simple Touch	Gazetteers of Imaginary Places I'm looking for books either science fiction or fantasy that describe interesting places. I'm in the mood for travel guides to places that never were. Any recommendations?

12-06-2009, 01:57 PM	#7
WT Sharpe Bah, humbug! Posts: 39,073 Karma: 157049943 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chesapeake, VA, USA Device: Kindle Oasis, iPad Pro, & a Samsung Galaxy S9.	I'm currently reading two translations of *The Divine Comedy* by Dante Alighieri. There are your descriptions of interesting places. Last edited by WT Sharpe; 12-06-2009 at 02:13 PM. Reason: Correct a grammatical error.

12-06-2009, 04:56 PM	#11
BenG Home Guard Posts: 4,729 Karma: 86721650 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alpha Ralpha Boulevard Device: Kindle Oasis 3G, iPhone 6	"The Dictionary of Imaginary Places" by Alberto Manguel is literally a gazetteer of imaginary places. I read the old version 25 years ago but its been updated to include places from newer works like Hogworts and Jurassic Park. Its entries aren't single sentence descriptions but are often pages long with maps and what you would want to know as a traveller. http://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Ima.../dp/0156008726 Google Books has a preview: http://books.google.com/books?id=T36...age&q=&f=false Last edited by BenG; 12-06-2009 at 05:01 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
places to buy e-books	Toxaris	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	2	12-18-2009 03:23 AM
Unutterably Silly Imaginary Book Cover Art - YOURS!	vivaldirules	Lounge	22	01-17-2009 08:54 PM
Unutterably Silly Imaginary Book Titles - YOURS	Dr. Drib	Lounge	37	01-11-2009 05:39 AM
Places to buy E-Books	Drezin	News	13	12-29-2008 05:52 AM
Best places to buy internationally	garygibsonsf	Which one should I buy?	1	06-26-2008 05:40 PM

12-06-2009, 01:33 PM	#2
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	Let's go old school: Gulliver's Travels Of the Best State of a Republic, and of the New Island Utopia

12-06-2009, 01:39 PM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	The classic would probably be Sir Thomas Moore's "Utopia", an English translation of which you can download right here at MR. Or you could try Plato's "Timaeus" and "Critias", which describe "Atlantis" (it's where the legend of Atlantis originates); that's in the "Complete Works of Plato" which again you can download here at MR.

12-06-2009, 01:43 PM	#4
Sparrow Wizard Posts: 4,395 Karma: 1358132 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Device: Palm TX, CyBook Gen3	'Lost Horizon' by James Hilton - Shangri-La. 'Prisoner of Zenda' by Anthony Hope - Ruritania

Advert

Advert