Sometimes the Magic Works

December 16, 2002
"If you don't think there is magic in writing, you probably won't write anything magical," Brooks asserts in this succinct and warmhearted autobiographical meditation on the writing life. He views his success as a miracle and credits editor Lester del Rey ("What he had given me was the kind of education young writers can only dream about") for his discovery and Tolkien for the inspiration that drove him to choose fantasy adventure as his medium. Brooks, who practiced law before becoming a full-time author, stills finds himself amazed that his The Sword of Shannara
"sold in record numbers and changed the face of publishing," becoming the first fiction title to land on the New York Times
trade paperback bestseller list. He still marvels that del Rey chose his first novel to prove that post-Tolkien epic fantasy could sell in vast numbers and that it launched a new generation of fantasy authors. Brooks often refers to his old mentor's sage advice ("Thinking about a book before you wrote it was as important as the writing itself") and promotes outlines ("You can either do the hard work up front or do it at the end"). He also discusses the disappointments encountered in a 30-plus-year career that has seen struggles with a novelization (Hook) and less than stellar sales for some works not connected to the Shannara empire; yet he keeps a positive attitude about the writer's never-ending quest, which requires "determination, instinct, and passion."

November 1, 2002
Brooks tells us everything he has learned about writing after giving up lawyering to write sf hits like The Sword of Shannara.

Copyright 2002 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2003
This semi-autobiographical volume by the creator of the Shannara fantasy saga is more a collection of essays than a connected narrative, and some essays are more worth reading than others. The two parts of "Maud Manx" recapitulate conventional wisdom only " rather" wittily, and Brooks glances at his Magic Kingdom books in a manner that readers who think them his best stuff may feel is somewhat cursory. On the other hand, the movie tie-ins "Hook," a horror story about a comedy, and "The Phantom Menace," which connects with the new Star Wars triptych quite agreeably, add considerably to several bodies of knowledge besides that concerned with Brooks' career. "The World according to Hunter," another two-parter, is a sentimental but informative tribute to a child's sense of wonder (Hunter is Brooks' grandson). Elsewhere, he discusses Tolkien's influence on his work and paints memorable portraits of the late publishers Lester and Judy Lynn Del Rey. Brooks' big name among fantasy fans ensures widespread library-patron interest.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2003, American Library Association.)

December 1, 2002
Fans of Brooks's fantasy titles (e.g., The Sword of Shannara) may be fascinated by this insider's account of how a book gets written, what thoughts and insecurities the author has, and the unique challenges faced by writers of fantasy fiction. Brooks indeed provides insights into how he names fantasy characters and creates realistic fantasy worlds. Unfortunately, those not familiar with his writings might find that he violates the best advice he gives in this short book: don't bore the reader. Only occasionally does Brooks linger long enough on a topic to provide valuable tips, and so much of this narrative is relevant to his experience alone that creative writing students might have difficulty applying his advice to their own struggles with craft, technique, and the creative writing process. Recommended for large fantasy collections only.-Herbert E. Shapiro, Empire State Coll., SUNY, Rochester

Copyright 2002 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.