Customer Reviews

The Fantastic Menagerie Tarot Kit: Based on the Incredible Animal Illustrations of JJ Grandville

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

[Okay, so I don't know french] I DO know that this deck is appropriately named. I LOVE this deck! When I first got it I couldn't stop looking at it. It sticks to traditional Tarot imagery, but in a funny, sometimes slightly twisted way. The artwork is truly Victorian in feel and the cream color of the borders of the cards give them that old parchment feel. The "animal people" depicted are truly unique and each one is given such character. The creators did such a great job of capturing artist Grandville's unusual style. My only criticism--and it is a small one--is that the cards are thinner than most decks which can make it a tad more challenging to riffle. But I am NOT about to remove a star for a little riffle trifle. In fact, if I could ADD a star, I would.

Bottom line--if you love Tarot, Grandville, Victorian art, and/or humor, BUY THIS DECK. In my opinion it's a "must-have" addition to any collection.

This deck was a gift from someone who knows how greatly I admire the work of the prolific, talented, and inspired people behind the Magic Realist Press. The cards came in the mail a month or so ago and have turned me into a full Magic Realist Press groupie. If Karen Mahony and Alex Ukolov have a fan club, I want to be on the board of directors.

There are so many things that are fantastic about The Fantastic Menagerie Tarot. First of course, are the illustrations. Based on the political satires of J.J. Grandville, the images portray animals in human guises and scenarios. "Elephants, tigers and bears, oh my," but unlike you've seen them before unless you happen to be familiar with Grandville's work. I am not and I look at these beasts and forget they're not human and I smile, because their expressions are so astutely evocative of human characteristics. I have friends who, disguised as storks, alligators, and hippos, have cameos in this deck and I can't help laughing each time I see them there. I haven't had the deck for very long and haven't done many many readings with it. But each reading I've done so far was accurate and often reminded me to look at the lighter side of the issue at hand. I see this deck as the most whimsical, tongue-in cheek, and deliciously wicked of the three decks I now own by the same creators.

The second fantastic thing is how well the illustrations have been chosen to fit the theme of each card and of the Rider-Waite structure in general. I understand that Grandville's images were originally inspired by something vastly removed from the tarot, yet these cards make it seem as if the illustrations were never intended for anything other than to be showcased here in this deck.

The third fantastic thing is how consistently the creators of this deck manage to retain their high standard of quality. Each new tarot deck The Magic Realist Press publishes is a unique work of art. From the stock the cards are printed on to the books that accompany the decks, it's clear that the decks' creators love what they do and give it their all. As to books, this deck also comes with an accompanying book. Although not written by Karen this time the book is, as with the others, very informative and detailed, giving a history of Grandville and of the time he lived in and was influenced by. It also offers the traditional meanings of the cards and information on how to use them as well as some well-imagined scenarios for each of the cards. As such it makes a very worthy complement to these humorous and enjoyable cards although I myself might have preferred the actual history linked to the images rather than the imaginary stories. Evenso, the deck is very different than any other I own and is as entertaining as it is helpful.

This is a wonderful deck. The delightful illustrations are very colorful and the book which accompanies the deck is descriptive, full of animal childhood stories and imagination. The deck uses fairy tale images of animals which are evocative symbols. As with many current tarot decks, this deck gives it's own twist on the major and minor arcana tarot card meanings, which is illuminated through the symbols from fairy tales.

This particular deck is full of childhood imagination evoked by fairy tale stories. I love to play around with the tarot and this deck stimulated my own creativity and further understanding of the tarot.

I chose 5 stars because I am very impressed with the uniqueness
of the cards and the book I find very informative
I love animals & animal type decks - this one meets my needs and keeps
me interested at the same time
I would recommend this tarot set to anyone interested in animals & tarot
The cards feel comfortable when I shuffle and to me that says it all

I've been for long a tarot lover. I've been for long interested in humankind mysteries psychologically and emotionally speaking. When I saw this deck I immediately understood and felt that this was my dream. To translate all these beautiful stories into Portuguese and tell them as I could to all children and adults I know. All of them are miracles of knowledge and life. In my opinion there isn't, until now, no better way to understand and teach the meanings of all the Arcana. (So subtile and gentle but also so real and true. There is only one "if": The quality of the paper. But this isn't really very important...

Sou há muito tempo uma amante de Tarot. Sou há muito tempo uma interessada nos mistérios da humanidade, na compreensão do seu lado psicológico e emocional .Quando vi este baralho percebi e senti de imediato que este era o meu sonho. Traduzir todas estas histórias maravilhosas para Português e contá-las sempre que possível a todas as crianças e adultos que conheço. São milagres de conhecimento e vida. Na minha opinião não existe até agora uma forma melhor de compreender e ensinar os significados dos Arcanos. Tão subtil e suave, mas também tão verdadeira e real. Só tem um senão: A qualidade do papel. Mas isso não é de facto muito importante...

The Victorian feel of this deck makes one reminisce about their childhood story books. Some cards require a much closer look just to "see" everything there. Some cards are hard to decipher in relation to other decks I have used.
Recommended for those who love twisted Victoriana and animals.

Just a few quotes from Aeclectic.net:
- This deck is by far one of the deepest decks I own. It digs deep and says it with A-L-L the letters. Don't let the nice images fool you !
- When people actually get their hands on this deck, they don't let it go!
- The FM is one of my favorite decks.
- Fantastic Menagerie is my regular deck - the one I reach for when I do a reading for myself, or people don't choose a different one for readings. So yes, people do use it! Heck, I like it so much, I have TWO, just in case the one I use ever wears out.
- It is out of stock at MRP (and Karen has indicated that it is very, very unlikely to be reprinted) so you might never get it ... in a few year's time.
- Fantastic Menagerie is my favorite deck.
- This deck is amazing. But do be patient. This deck was shy for me at first and I really had to spend some time with it before it warmed up to me and began to open up. But it's a beautiful reader. Really, really, fluid and prose-like. I love it.
- FM is such a great reading deck. There's a wealth of information in the details. I often wonder why it doesn't get as much attention as the BG and VR. It's got a great book, loads to say and is charming and witty.
- I love this deck too! It seems so underrated compared to other MRP decks yet it really speaks in a reading. Lots of lovely little details to get lost in and the book is fantastic.
- The kit is worth it - the book by Sophie is amazing!

This tarot deck is difficult to use if you are a begginer because the imagery is somewhat confusing. It is a beautiful deck! In my opinion the images seem to inspire darker feelings than some other decks. If you decide to purchase this deck definitely get the book that goes with it because the book is great and very easy to understand plus it has reversals for the cards.

This deck based on the illustrations of J.J. Grandville is awesome. I have been a fan of Grandville for many years and I think this was well thought out and well put together. The pics are like a victorian collage. Love it.

I purchased the special of both decks for one discounted price. I received this deck along with the Baroque Bohemian Cats' Tarot. I love both decks. The art work is beautiful and fun. They are both lovely decks and that spark the imagination and allow for your intuition to soar.