The fatal spell Throughout history, humans have been captivated by the idea of magic and the power it holds. It has fascinated and mystified people for generations, with tales of wizards, sorcerers, and enchantments permeating mythologies and folklore. But amidst this allure, one concept stands out in particular – the fatal spell. It is the notion that within the realm of magic exists a spell so powerful and dangerous that it can cause irreversible harm or even death. The fatal spell is a cautionary tale, a reminder of the balance between power and responsibility. It serves as a reminder that magic, while a source of wonder and awe, can also have devastating consequences when misused or underestimated.
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___CONDITION Volumes could be called fine, each has brightly coloured wrappers, the corners are sharp and unrubbed, all pages are clean and bright, and the set is free of prior owner markings; two of the spines appear slightly sunned, and there is minuscule wear to the tail of two of the spines, two of the volumes have a very shallow crease at the front joint. ___CONDITION Volumes could be called fine, each has brightly coloured wrappers, the corners are sharp and unrubbed, all pages are clean and bright, and the set is free of prior owner markings; two of the spines appear slightly sunned, and there is minuscule wear to the tail of two of the spines, two of the volumes have a very shallow crease at the front joint.
It serves as a reminder that magic, while a source of wonder and awe, can also have devastating consequences when misused or underestimated. The idea of a spell with catastrophic effects transcends cultural boundaries, appearing in legends and stories worldwide. Ancient Greek mythology speaks of Medea, a powerful sorceress who, in a fit of rage and desperation, casts a fatal spell on her own children.
A Gorey Festival: The Fatal Lozenge, The Curious Sofa, The Hapless Child, and The Sinking Spell
New York: Ivan Obolensky / Astor-Honor, [1968]. Gorey, Edward. Original wraps. Four volumes issued in publisher’s slipcase, sixeenmo size, unpaginated with 112 leaves for all volumes. Near fine. Item #16113186
Edward Gorey (1925-2000) is well known both for his "Masterpiece Theatre" illustrated opening sequence as well as for his poisonously funny miniature picture books which are complex, humorous, serious, and provocative. His vast body of work includes over 100 books written by himself, as well as having illustrated works by many well-known authors such as T. S. Eliot, Charles Dickens, Lewis Carroll, H. G. Wells, and Virginia Woolf (n. b. info from the Edward Gorey House website). This work includes four previously published volumes in a publisher's slipcase with a pastedown label illustrated by Gorey.
___DESCRIPTION: Set of four books in coloured wrappers, including “The Fatal Lozenge” (in yellow wrappers), “The Sinking Spell” (in tan), “The Hapless Child” (in teal), and “The Curious Sofa” (in pink), black lettering on the covers and spines, illustrations on both front and back wraps, all volumes are fully illustrated with text and illustrations, on the recto only of each page for three volumes, illustrations on recto and text on verso of "Sinking Spell'; sixteenmo size (6" tall by 5"), unpaginated, three volumes with 32 leaves, "Sinking Spell" with 16 leaves. Note that the publisher is noted as Obolensky on the spines and copyright pages of all four volumes, the title page lists Astor-Honor as publisher in three of the volumes, "Sinking Spell" lists Obolensky as the publisher on the title page. In publisher’s blue-green slipcase with yellow, green, and black stamping on Gorey illustrated label.
___CONDITION: Volumes could be called fine, each has brightly coloured wrappers, the corners are sharp and unrubbed, all pages are clean and bright, and the set is free of prior owner markings; two of the spines appear slightly sunned, and there is minuscule wear to the tail of two of the spines, two of the volumes have a very shallow crease at the front joint. The slipcase is near fine, strong and sturdy and with a bright, glossy label; a few stray light soil marks on both front and back, very minor wear to corners.
___CITATION: Toledano A28; note that publication date is from Toledano, each volume has only the original copyright date.
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Price: $150.00
Driven by jealousy and a desire for revenge, she inflicts a fate worse than death upon those she loves most. This tragic tale serves as a reminder of the dangerous allure of power, blinding individuals to the consequences of their actions. In Shakespeare's Macbeth, the fatal spell is embodied by the Three Witches' prophecy. Their words set in motion a series of events that lead Macbeth on a path of destruction and ultimately his demise. The allure of power and the belief in fate prove to be fatal forces, illustrating the dangers of succumbing to the spell's temptation. The fatal spell is not limited to fictional tales. In history, there have been accounts of individuals claiming to possess such power. These stories often involve charlatans who use deceit and manipulation to exploit people's desires for influence or control. The fatal spell becomes a metaphorical representation of the consequences of falling victim to these scams and the importance of skepticism and critical thinking. In essence, the fatal spell serves as a moral lesson, a cautionary reminder to wield power wisely and responsibly. It underlines the dangers of unchecked ambition and the need for awareness of one's actions and their potential consequences. Whether found in ancient mythology, classic literature, or contemporary folklore, the fatal spell transcends time and culture, resonating with its universal message. It is a reminder to tread carefully when navigating the realms of magic and to consider the weight and impact of our words and actions..
Reviews for "Spellbound: Survivors of Fatal Spells Share Their Stories"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really looking forward to reading "The fatal spell" as I am a big fan of mystery novels. However, I was left disappointed by this book. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, and the characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting. The writing style was also dull and lacked any kind of suspense or intrigue. Overall, I found "The fatal spell" to be a forgettable and underwhelming read.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - I struggled to finish "The fatal spell". The story was slow-paced and dragged on with needless descriptions and details that didn't contribute to the overall plot. The characters felt cliché and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their fates. The supposedly mysterious elements of the story were predictable and didn't offer any surprises. I wouldn't recommend "The fatal spell" to anyone looking for an engaging and captivating mystery novel.
3. Jessica - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The fatal spell" after reading the promising synopsis, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The writing was mediocre at best, with awkward dialogue and a lack of consistent pacing. The plot had potential, but it fell flat due to poor execution and a lack of suspense. The ending was predictable and unsatisfying. Overall, "The fatal spell" was a disappointing read that failed to deliver on its premise.
4. Mark - 2/5 - "The fatal spell" had potential, but it ultimately disappointed. The characters were poorly developed, and I couldn't connect with any of them. The plot seemed promising initially, but it quickly became predictable and lacked any real depth. The pacing was uneven, and the story dragged on in unnecessary parts while rushing through others. Overall, "The fatal spell" failed to engage me as a reader and left me unimpressed.