Dinotopia: Journey to Chandara by James Gurney
|
List Price: Our Price: $18.99 You Save: $10.96 (37%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $9.98 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Dinotopia: Journey to Chandara
Book Review: A journey deeper into Dinotopia
Summary: 5 Stars
Journey to Chandara is, in my opinion, the best Dinotopia book written so far. It maintains the journalistic feeling of the first two books (A Land Apart From Time and World Beneath) while exploring new territory and characters. We travel to new cities, such as Bilgewater (built entirely out of ships), the nomadic Jorotongo, Thermana (mentioned, but not visited before), and the extremely exotic Chandara.
We get new characters to intrigue us, such as the Liners and Spotters of Sauropolis and their eternal debate on life. The emperor of Chandara is quite a surprise too; he's certainly not what you would expect!
One of the best things about Journey to Chandara is that James Gurney allowed fans to help. Fans were allowed to compile a list of cities and their locations, and their information was added to the updated map. Fans from the Official Message Board who visited James Gurney are also painted throughout the book.
The art is as astounding as ever. The Hudson River Valley School art style has certainly crept into many of Jim's paintings (Bilgewater, Ruhmsburg, and other landscapes), as well as some distinct Norman Rockwell (mostly in Jorotongo). Many of the paintings are near photorealistic while others maintain the National Geographic diagram style that has worked so well for Gurney.
My one problem with the book was the pacing. I sometimes felt that characters and places were introduced and left too quickly. True, this is what would happen on a journey across the island, but I wanted to stay with the characters longer and explore their cities just a little bit more.
All in all, this book is a great addition to the saga of Arthur Denison in his explorations of the island. I would highly recommend this book to anyone of any age.
Book Review: Like owning fine art!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been a fan of Dinotopia for about 15 years. I wondered if Mr. Gurney would ever take us back there. He did with as much skill and depth as expected, perhaps a little more. This is a childrens book that appeals to this adult. As an painter, I can only admire and one day hope to produce something this great. If only I could paint a cloud like this man...This is a lavish book of fantasy paintings that could only be described as a treasure.
Some tastes do not care for this style of painting-the Hudson Valley School. Its retro style florished before photography. Light and color captured every detail of the landscape. Now, in our HD world, this style is obsolete, right? Gurney's depiction of the creatures who actually lived on this planet, lets the viewer imagine what went over all of those bones that are found every year. Not only that, his "lost world" that is further documented.
Children will devour this. Dinosaurs are fun, scary and in this book, loveable. The whole Dinotopia mythology is set in the mid 19th C. Perhaps the world had an unexplored appeal back then. We have satellites that document every corner of the planet now. Perhaps, this age of innocence works so well here because there are no more frontiers on the planet. Other than space, there are no more places to explore. That is why I love it so much.
I finished it and was left wanting more. There are so many other villages and ruined temples left to document. The plot is not relevant here. The setting and the dinosaurs are the stars. You have to love Bix! Chandara is a perfect place to spend your vacation in.
Book Review: Beautiful Journey
Summary: 5 Stars
This book takes you on a charming voyage I didn't want to end. I actually spaced my reading over several weeks to prolong the experience. Much like other Dinotopia books it is packed with charming scenes and intriguing narrative. I also finally figured out the magic of the Dinotopia series; the combination of paintings and narrative triggers memories and day dreams that actually alter consciousness (like all good art should). The reading experience was the closest I've gotten to that dreamy state of mind I achieved as a kid reading books like Treasure Island or Robinson Crusoe. Additionally, this book contains Gurney's best paintings ever.Book Review: Great book for a first/second grader
Summary: 5 Stars
Our first grader started moving from reading picture books to chapter books but complained that the chapter books were too devoid of pictures (while we sought to ensure that he was reading more complex material).
This book is perfect. It is complex enough to engage him yet has some very sophisticated and fantastical drawings to appeal to that visual side of his brain.
I strongly recommend this book.
Book Review: Amazing!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've followed James Gurney's career throughout my own (Matt Gaser) and each book he creates just keeps getting better. The details in every illustration take you to a magical place. For me it's inspiring to dive into his books travel into the mind of Gurney through the world of Dinotopia and then sketch/paint and create worlds of my own. A wonderful addition for any one period. Looking forward to his next project???