The Flight of Dragons
Peter Dickinson, illustrations by Wayne Anderson
Harper & Row
Fiction, Fantasy
Themes: Classics, Dragons, Encyclopedias
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Description
Dragons are a near-universal phenomenon, and for all the differences between their legends, there are also many striking similarities. Could some unknown, extinct animal once have lived to explain them? Is it possible for one creature be giant yet airborne, breathe fire, possess a hypnotic gaze, and spread poison wherever it went? Biologically, several aspects of dragon mythos - if taken with a grain of salt to allow for storytellers' embellishments over the ages - are surprisingly plausible. Using stories ancient and modern in conjunction with science, evolutionary theory, and a good deal of speculation, Peter Dickinson hypothesizes what the “real” dragons would’ve been like, creating a peculiarly fascinating creature to explain various myths and legends. With illustrations by Wayne Anderson.
Review
First published in 1979, The Flight of Dragons not only formed the partial basis for the animated movie of the same name, but essentially created the “myth as reality” genre which has exploded in popularity lately. This book is something of a classic, and pure luck led me to a reasonably-priced copy in Half Price Books. Considering the fact that Dickinson’s dragons aren’t the intelligent beasts I so enjoy reading about, or even the cunning marauders of elder tales, I found the book oddly mesmerizing to read. The format – text being interrupted by numerous pictures, spreads, and quotes – and the occasionally-substandard Anderson illustrations cost it a point in the ratings, but otherwise I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves dragons.