The Talisman is a fantasy novel written by Peter Straub and Stephen King. It was first published in 1984 and has since become a classic in the genre. The story follows a young boy named Jack Sawyer who embarks on a journey across America to find a mysterious talisman that has the power to save his mother's life. The book starts off with Jack living in New Hampshire with his mother, who is dying from cancer. Jack soon discovers that he has the ability to travel between two parallel worlds - our world, called "the Territories," and a fantastical world known as "the AgIn the Territories, Jack learns that the talisman is located in a place known as the Black Hotel, and he must travel there in order to retrieve it. Along the way, he encounters various obstacles and challenges, including dangerous creatures and individuals who want to stop him from reaching his goal.
After 1935, Escher really found his passion and talent for creating formally inventive and geometrically-inspired images; and his interest moved from highly realistic landscapes to something he described as “mental imagery”, and based more on mathematical theories.
The viewpoint from Escher to the crystal ball represents reality while the reflection of the crystal ball back to Escher represents a warped reality and Escher s perception of it. His prints adorn British 1960 s album covers although he was unsuccessfully courted by Mick Jagger for an album illustration and worked with Stanley Kubrick to transform 2001 A Space Odyssey into a fourth-dimensional film.
Along the way, he encounters various obstacles and challenges, including dangerous creatures and individuals who want to stop him from reaching his goal. Throughout his journey, Jack is guided by a series of visions and messages from a mysterious figure known as "Speedy." Speedy acts as a mentor to Jack, helping him navigate the dangers and secrets of the Territories.
The Magic Mirror of M.C. Escher
“A woman once rang me up and said, ‘Mr. Escher, I am absolutely crazy about your work. In your print Reptiles, you have given such a striking illustration of reincarnation.’ I replied, ‘Madame, if that’s the way you see it, so be it.’” A fittingly sly comment from renowned Dutch graphic artist Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898–1972), whose complex and ambiguous drawings continue to leave hasty interpretations far behind.
Long before the first computer-generated 3-D images, Escher was a master of the third dimension. His lithograph Magic Mirror dates as far back as 1946. By taking such a title for the book, mathematician Bruno Ernst stressed the enrapturing spell Escher’s work invariably casts on those who see it. Ernst visited Escher every week for a year, systematically talking through his entire oeuvre with him. Their discussions resulted in a friendship that gave Ernst intimate access to the life and conceptual world of Escher. Ernst’s account was meticulously scrutinized and made accurate by the artist himself.
Escher’s work refuses to be pigeonholed. Scientific, psychological, or aesthetic criteria alone cannot do it justice. The questions remain: Why did he create the pictures? How did he construct them? What preliminary studies were necessary before achieving the final version? And how are his various creations interrelated? This updated and redesigned edition of a true classic―complete with biographical data, 250 illustrations, and a thorough breaking-down of each mathematical problem―offers answers to these and many other lingering mysteries, and is an authentic source text of the first order.
As Jack gets closer to his goal, he realizes that the fate of both worlds rests on his success. The Talisman is a blend of fantasy, horror, and adventure, with elements of coming-of-age and exploration of identity. It explores themes such as the power of belief, the importance of family, and the struggle between good and evil. The book is known for its detailed world-building and complex characters, as well as its eerie and atmospheric tone. The Talisman received widespread critical acclaim upon its release and has garnered a dedicated fan base. It has been praised for its gripping plot, vivid imagery, and the unique collaboration between Peter Straub and Stephen King. The novel was followed by a sequel, Black House, which was published in 2001. Overall, The Talisman is a captivating and thrilling tale of adventure and self-discovery. It showcases the talents of two master storytellers and has cemented its place as a beloved classic in the fantasy genre..
Reviews for "Discovering the Origins of 'The Talisman' by Peter Straub"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I found "The Talisman" by Peter Straub to be a disappointing read. The plot was confusing and difficult to follow, with multiple storylines that didn't seem to connect well. The characters also lacked depth and development, making it hard for me to feel invested in their journeys. Overall, I struggled to maintain interest in the book and it felt like a chore to finish. I was hoping for a thrilling adventure, but instead, I was left feeling unsatisfied.
2. John - 3/5 - While "The Talisman" had potential, I felt that the execution fell short. The concept of traveling to different realities and the blend of fantasy and horror initially intrigued me, but the pacing was off, with slow and uninteresting parts throughout. The writing style also left a lot to be desired, with repetitive and cliché phrases. Additionally, the overall length of the book could have been shortened without losing much substance. Overall, it was an average read that didn't quite live up to my expectations.
3. Emily - 1/5 - I really couldn't get into "The Talisman" by Peter Straub. The narrative felt convoluted and lacking direction, making it difficult to engage with the story. The characters were unmemorable, and the dialogue was often confusing and disjointed. I found myself skimming through pages just to get to the end, hoping for some resolution that never truly came. Unfortunately, this book did not resonate with me, and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. David - 2/5 - "The Talisman" was a book that promised much but ultimately failed to deliver. The plot meandered and lacked focus, making it hard to stay interested in the story. The writing style was also overly descriptive and verbose, slowing down the pace of the narrative. I was left feeling unsatisfied with the lack of resolution and depth in the characters. Overall, this book left me wanting more and disappointed by the missed potential.