The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures by John Mathews

Skip to product information
1 of 1

The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures by John Mathews

Regular price
Checking stock...
Regular price
Checking stock...
Proud to be B-Corp

Our business meets the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. In short, we care about people and the planet.

The feel-good place to buy books
  • Free shipping in the US over $15
  • Supporting authors with AuthorSHARE
  • 100% recyclable packaging
  • Proud to be a B Corp – A Business for good
  • Sell-back with World of Books - Sell your Books

The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures by John Mathews


If Puchai were a real country, I'd be a citizen by now, or at least an illegal alien. What a glorious novel --Gary Shteyngart, author of Super Sad True Love Story


Matt Dojny's novel is a true delight. I can't think of any writer since Kingsley Amis who's been able to write high-minded comedy that packs such a punch. I've never enjoyed a comic novel more. --John Wray, author of Lowboy


Matt Dojny's narrator Boyd Darrow is as poetically drawn as J.D. Salinger's Holden Caulfield, and as intimately hilarious as C.D. Payne's Nick Twisp. Dojny has created an entire country filled with characters that are so fresh and endearing, you'll find yourself wishing Puchai were a real place. I love this book. --Kristen Schaal (Flight of the Conchords, The Daily Show)


Comic novels can be whimsical, or clever, or delightful, or witty, or canny, or powerful. Rarely are they all of those things. Matt Dojny's large-hearted, bright-minded novel has drawings and letters and love and loss, and now you do, too. --Ben Greenman, author of Superbad and What He's Poised to Do


The Festival of Earthly Delights is a humorous bildungsroman set in the fictional Southeast Asian country of Puchai. The protagonist, Boyd Darrow, has recently moved there with his unfaithful girlfriend to give their relationship a second chance. His adventures, and misadventures, are relayed in a series of letters to a mysterious recipient.


February 19 8:23 AM


Dear Hap:


A new position falls into the hands of one who, living, dreams. I bought this notebook in the airport when we arrived in Puchai, and, instead of keeping a journal--which always feels lonely and pointless to me--I've decided to write you a letter. IT WIL COME TRUE.


Ulla and I are in the Central Dakhong Railway Station, waiting for the 12:13 train to Mai Mor. The station is rumbling and hot and cavernous and painted floor-to-ceiling in volcanic orange. Ulla has wandered off in search of a bathroom and I'm sitting on a bench, guarding our bags. And--where are you?


Matt Dojny co-authored the illustrated essay Impossible Sightseeing in A Public Space, as well as contributing an illustrated piece to THE MOMENT: Wild, Poignant, Life-Changing Stories from 125 Writers and Artists Famous & Obscure. This is his first novel. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, son, and dog.


JOHN MATTHEWS is a world renown expert on the Grail and the Arthurian legends. His numerous books include The Arthurian Tarot, The Green Man Tree Oracle, Winter Solstice, and The Grail: A Secret History. He lives in England.GIOVANNI CASELLI is a well known illustrator noted for his work regarding the classical world and its literature, art, symbolism and myths. His previous tarot work can be seen on the Sharman-Caselli deck in the Beginner's Guide to Tarot. He lives in Italy.
SKU Unavailable
ISBN 13 9780007931460
ISBN 10 0007931468
Title The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures
Author John Mathews
Condition Unavailable
Binding Type Paperback
Publisher Harperelement
Year published 2013-01-01
Number of pages 554
Cover note Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note Unavailable