Classic 70s and 80s Fantasy Book Covers - The Giant Under the Snow
- njpoulton
- Jan 15, 2021
- 1 min read
The first novel by John Gordon, in 1968, was largely successful (and followed by a little known sequel called Ride the Wind) and tells of three children, Jonquil, Bill and Arf, in John Gordon's favoured location of East Anglia.
Their discovery of an ancient treasure sees them embroiled in a battle between good and evil, including a mysterious black dog that haunts one of the protagonists, legends of a a pagan 'Green Man', and the shadowy 'leather men'. It's intriguing and eccentric in equal measure.
The cover (designed by Antony Maitland) is more stark than many Puffin books, and less 'beautiful' in many ways. But there is a raw power to it, that calls of the dark ages, and ancient rituals, which is quite haunting, and refreshingly 'stark'. As a result, it gets a thumbs up from me.
I first discovered this book as an adult and, while it has obviously dated, it moves quickly and keeps you hooked, until its Christmassy resolution. It was good enough to have me seek out more John Gordon books (a writer who seems to have been unfairly side-lined as time has passed). One of his most recent novels; Fen Runners, is another snow-drenched supernatural mystery, and although slight in length, is a captivating little read, especially by a roaring fire.
This post brought back such a wave of nostalgia! I can vividly remember browsing the shelves of our local library as a kid, completely captivated by those fantastical illustrations. There was something so magical about the way they could transport you to another world just by looking at them. I used to spend ages just staring at the covers, trying to guess what incredible adventures lay within the pages https://www.esafety.gov.au/ *The Giant Under the Snow* sounds exactly like the kind of book that would have snagged my attention back then. I can almost picture myself pulling it off the shelf, the slightly worn edges and that distinctive cover art promising a thrilling escape. It’s funny how a single image can…
Oh, this brought back such a rush of memories! Seeing these covers, especially "The Giant Under the Snow," instantly transported me back to my childhood. I remember spending hours in the dusty back corner of our local library, a place that smelled faintly of old paper and forgotten adventures. I was always drawn to the fantasy section, and the covers were such a huge part of the draw https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/10/business/10poker.html?_r=8 They were so vibrant and often a little bit wild, promising worlds I couldn't even imagine. I can vividly recall pulling out books with similar artwork, the paperbacks worn smooth from countless other hands, and feeling like I was holding a treasure. My older brother used to tease me about my…