Patrick Woodroffe (1940–2014)

I knew I was getting a fantasy art book when I bought this one, but I didn't know I would be getting a book of the artist's poetry, too. The two forms complement each other, having been co-created for the purpose. According to the artist's website, the poetry was intended to be lyrics set to the music of Dave Greenslade, with whom Woodroofe had already co-created the book-album The Pentateuch of the Cosmogony.

Anyway, I wasn't as blown away by the art as I'd expected to be. Not that it wasn't good, and some pieces are really, really excellent, but the minute detail becomes overwhelming when taken in large doses. A full read through was a necessity for me, but now that I've done that I think I'll be browsing it in smaller chunks.

As for the poetry, again it was a bit uneven to me, ranging from pretty bad, to indecipherable, to very good (but not quite excellent).

Taken as a whole, a worthy 4-stars, even if my review has spoken more of its shortcomings. Certainly lots to go back to and savour at leisure.… (mehr)