Gnomes (1976) was originally a Dutch book and released in English in 1977, featuring text by Wil Huy
Gnomes (1976) was originally a Dutch book and released in English in 1977, featuring text by Wil Huygen and illustrations by Rien Poortvliet. It is a field guide to gnomes done in an in-universe style, that is, as though gnomes were real. It was a massive success in the States and led to the development first of an animated TV movie (1980) and then an animated series, David the Gnome (1985) and spawned a number of sequel books.I don’t entirely get it. The illustrations are pleasant enough, establishing the iconic conical red cap. Poortvliet excels at portraying the color and texture of natural things like branches and brush. The book doesn’t weaponize cuteness, either, which I appreciate. But it doesn’t entirely land for me. The book romanticizes a kind of pastoral European lifestyle that makes me suspicious — the idea that rural or semi-rural living somehow reflects a more wholesome or more true human experience rankles me. Which is silly, because the authors use that wholesomeness to offer up a message of conservation and environmentalism that is rather positive. I dunno. Gnomes, man, they just aren’t cool. Maybe it’s just that whenever I look at them I can hear Mr. Cunningham’s voice.Anyway, Wikipedia tells me that Gnomes has sold over a million copies. Those sales allowed editor David Larkin (who had already been instrumental in publishing collections of genre art and artists, particularly Arthur Rackham) to create a series of similar books. The amazing Faeries was next, followed by Giants (see tomorrow). The success of those books, in turn, created a market for similar books featuring fantasy art, including the Enchanted World series. All because of gnomes! -- source link
#tabletop rpg#roleplaying game#dungeons dragons#gnomes#rien poortvliet#wil huygen