Pan's Labyrinth: The Labyrinth of the Faun by Guillermo del Toro and Cornelia Funke
I received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher (via Edelweiss) for an honest review.
Summary
Oscar winning writer-director Guillermo del Toro and New York Times bestselling author Cornelia Funke come together to transform del Toro’s hit movie Pan’s Labyrinth into an epic and dark fantasy novel for readers of all ages, complete with gorgeous and haunting illustrations.
This book is not for the faint of heart or weak in spirit. It’s not for skeptics who don’t believe in fairy tales and the powerful forces of good. It’s only for brave and intrepid souls like you, who will stare down evil in all its forms.
Inspired by the critically acclaimed film written and directed by Oscar winner Guillermo del Toro and reimagined by New York Times bestselling author Cornelia Funke, this haunting tale takes readers to a darkly magical and war-torn world filled with richly drawn characters like trickster fauns, murderous men, child-eating monsters, courageous rebels, and a long-lost princess hoping to be reunited with her family.
Perfect for fans of the movie and readers who are new to del Toro’s visionary work, this atmospheric and absorbing novel is a portal to another universe where there is no wall between the real and the imagined. A daring, unforgettable collaboration between two brilliant storytellers.
Book Details
Pan's Labyrinth: The Labyrinth of the Faun by Guillermo del Toro, Cornelia Funke
Published July 2nd 2019 by Katherine Tegen Books
Young Adult Fiction / Dark Fantasy / Fairy Tale
Hardcover, 272 pages
Source: Publisher
My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Review
Filled with darkly-lush atmospheric writing and hauntingly beautiful illustration, PAN’S LABYRINTH: THE LABYRINTH OF THE FAUN brings together two great visionary artists, Oscar-winning writer-director Guillermo del Toro and New York Times bestselling author Cornelia Funke, to create an epic fantasy novelization inspired by the film.
This is the written fairy tale I have always longed for as a fan of del Toro’s movie, but did not realize it until I held the story in my hands.
“Long ago in the Underground Realm, where there are no lies or pain, there lived a princess who dreamt of the human world. She dreamt of blue skies, the soft breeze, and sunshine. One day, eluding her keepers, the Princess escaped.”
A dark fairy tale that breathes wonder and strangeness, transporting readers to a war-torn world where a young girl discovers a magical underground realm inhabited by trickster fauns, giant toads, and child-eating monsters.
Here a long-lost princess, with the help of an enchanted book, will complete three tasks in order for her to acquire immortality and return to her kingdom. But there are forces of evil at work, both human and other, that threaten our heroine Ofelia.
“There once was a forest in the north of Spain, so old that it could tell stories long past and forgotten by men. The trees anchored so deeply in the moss-covered soil they laced the bones of the dead with their roots while their branches reached for the stars.”
Scene by scene, she let the images move her to write.
In a letter written by Cornelia Funke to readers, she states that she has always been a fan of the movie and wanted to follow the narration of the story, rather than following the script—asking Guillermo del Toro questions about certain gestures and gazes of his actors, as well as the symbols of the sets—wanting to make sure she interpreted each right.
The story flows seamlessly, as she gives written cues where once we had an only visual, giving deeper insight into the narration. Funke also added ten background stories (interludes) about key elements of the movie that make it that much richer and a must-read for fans.
In the End
A beautifully done collaboration perfect for fans and readers new to Guillermo del Toro and/or Cornelia Funke’s work. I cannot wait to receive my own gorgeous copy to put on my shelves. I think this is the sort of timeless tale that both the young (mature) reader as well as the older, established readers will love.
