Rise Reviews

In short, “Monstrous Creatures” by Jeff Vandermeer can be best summarized up by the book’s own subtitle: Explorations of Fantasy through Essays, Articles and Reviews. It’s a deceiving in its simplicity and forwardness concept. The reader will read essays, articles and reviews in order to participate in this tour. At 254 pages “Monstrous Creatures” doesn’t frighten anyone with its length. On the contrary, it only contributes to the fake sense of immediacy, of reading this book in one sitting.

“Monstrous Creatures” is a beautiful chimera of ideas and opinions. Vandermeer goes for a 360-degree expedition of fantasy in all of its manifestations as well as through significant periods of its evolution. Wherever the fantastical seeps in, be it in books, the act of writing, architecture, art or even nature, Vandermeer follows, documents and then reports with some of the most spectacular and sophisticated turns of phrase I’ve seen in non-fiction.