Are All the Giants Dead [Hardcover]

Mary Norton (Author), Brian Froud (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1975

Finding himself in a land peopled with fairy tale characters, James attempts to help Princess Dulcibel who is destined to marry a toad after her ball falls in the well.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

MARY NORTON (1903-1992) lived in England, where she was an actress, playwright, and award-winning author of books for young readers, including Bed-Knob and Broomstick, the basis for the classic Disney film, and Are All the Giants Dead?

Brian Froud studied graphic art and once worked in London as a commercial illustrator.

He now works and lives in Devon, UK close to Dartmoor and the river Teign.

He was responsible for such films as Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal and is also well known for his best-selling books, Pressed Fairy Book, Faeries, Goblins of the Labyrinth, Good Faeries/Bad Faeries and many more.  --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 123 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt; First Edition first Printing edition (September 1975)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152038108
• ISBN-13: 978-0152038106
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,305,339 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Old fairy tale characters are brought to life in a new form., April 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Are All the Giants Dead? (Paperback)

Are All the Giants Dead takes a somewhat casual attitude to introducing common fairy tale characters in their old age. James, a young boy, is lead on an adventure from normal, everyday life, to the world of the heroes he hears about in his bedtime stories. They've all grown older (though perhaps not wiser); James becomes acquainted with the two giant killing Jacks, who now run a pub together. While his guide to the fantasy world takes care of business elsewhere, James learns the stories of how all the giants are indeed dead... or are they? According to Jack the Giant Killer, he has slain them all, but Jack of the Beanstalk admits his friends secret: there is no proof that the last giant is indeed deceased. James, of course, is excited by the prospect of adventure, and wishes to investigate the situation himself. The book is full of the wishes of the young (and, to risk a cliche, the young at heart), and an adventure anyone who has ever wanted an adventure can enjoy.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended, May 2, 2003

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Are All the Giants Dead (Hardcover)

This wonderful book was written in 1975 by Mary Norton (1903-92), the author of the incomparable Borrowers stories. It tells the story of James, whose dream takes him to a distant land, where he meets many of the characters of old folktales, such as Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Jack-the-Giant-Slayer and Jack-of-the-Beanstalk. But, they are all old now, and past adventures. But, when the daughter of Beauty and the Beast (Boofy and Beau to their friends) needs help, James rises to the occasion. Although he's usually a fan of Science fiction, James must maneuver himself and the girl through this magical wonderland, in search of a magical frog, and answering the question, "Are all the giants dead?"

This is a very nice, gently entertaining story. It is gentle enough for quite young readers, and sure to please. I must say that what I liked most about this book is the illustrations created by the great Brian Froud. My children and I loved this book, and we highly recommend it to you.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Clever Fairy Tale for Adults, May 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Are All the Giants Dead? (Paperback)

This is a neat little dream-narrative but I would describe it as more for adults than children. It's a gentle dream fantasy which plays with the 'rules' of the classic fairy-tale genre. You really have to be a serious fairy-tale fan to get the jokes. Brian Froud's illustrations are a treat, as always.