Goblins! A Survival Guide and Fiasco in Four Parts

by Ari Berk, Brian Froud (Illustrator)

The illustrator of the popular Pressed Fairy albums and the author of The Runes of Elfland share their collaborative "investigations" into the maleficent world of goblins, in a nonsensical volume that profiles common goblin traits and offers advice on what to do if one's home becomes goblin infested. 50,000 first printing.

Genres: Fantasy, Art, Fiction, Picture Books, Reference, Fairies, Magic

88 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Ari Berk is a writer, artist, and scholar of literature, folklore, and myth. Former student of and assistant to Pulitzer Prize winning writer N. Scott Momaday, Ari has written everything from academic works on ancient cultures to popular books about myths and legends for children and adults and, most recently, a trilogy of novels. He works in a library filled to the ceiling with thousands of arcane books and more than a few wondrous artifacts. When not writing, he moonlights as professor of mythology and folklore at Central Michigan University. He lives in Michigan with his wife and son. Visit him at www.ariberk.com.

Reviews

[Beele · Rating 3 out of 5]

sorry theres milk on one of the pages . i just got crazy maternal looking at passil

[T.L. Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this book from Brian Froud! It really is quite a humorous book about goblins! I really enjoy Brian’s British wit and writing style and being married to a British man, I completely understand and appreciate his sense of humor. When my son was in middle school he just loved this book! He used to always look through this book and ask me all the time to sketch him the goblins from the book for his book covers for school. Soon I found myself sketching out quite a few of the goblins for all of his friend’s birthday cards too. So this book makes a great book for a young teenage boy who loves fantasy art books :)

[SmarterLilac · Rating 1 out of 5]

Insipid. This is one of those books that makes me ask, yet again, why do publishers waste ink on this shite, and why did the authors waste their time on it? The text here was of a pretty decent length, with an absurd amount of detail, and said almost nothing. Some of it wasn't even cogent (don't get me started on the 'astrological' 'insights' in the captions under the first few drawings.) If the writers had really wanted to make this book interesting, even charming, they could have. Instead, they chose to focus on inanity and minutia about these fictional creatures (they even discuss a goblin 'of fluctuating air pressure' at one point.) Stupid.

[Cale · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is basically an outlet to collect some of Brian Froud's drawings of Goblins. He was a creature designer in Labyrinth, and the style is very evident in his drawings here. Around the illustrations is a collection of anecdotes and notes about Goblin life. They're interesting, but they're not very comprehensive or coherent - lots of bits and pieces but they didn't paint a full picture. And there's a lot of fascination with farting. Some of it is silly and funny, but for the most part it seems like the text is trying too hard.

[Kristen McDermott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not just a reissue of the appallingly sticky classic Goblins!, this exercise in questionable judgment features many new pages of pictures and illustrations. Froud and Ari Berk have lost none of their youthful chutzpah and folly, and the result is even "better" than the original. Or at least cheesier. And who doesn't love cheese?

[Tiyahna Ridley-Padmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian Froud's Goblins! A Survival Guide is a fictional book that reveals the findings of a researchers study on Goblins. The book features illustrations and photographs alongside descriptions of the different types of Goblins and their personalities. At some point, however, the Goblins got a hold of the book, and, in red ink, they crossed things that researcher wrote out and added new things in so that they could tell their own narrative.

I absolutely loved this book. The character and mischievousness of the Goblins really shone through. The spelling mistakes and stains that the Goblins left in the book during their edits added to the authenticity of the experience. In fact, I kept having to remind myself that Goblins did not actually author this book.

I first read this book over 15 years ago and it is still one of the most memorable books I have ever read. And, for my little sister, who is more than a decade my junior, this book (and my reinforcement of its passages) is also very memorable as it likely gave her life long trauma.

[Ay Oh Be · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its simple and stuffed with whimsy. I love Froud's art and designs then when you back it on a story of mischief and mayhem it becomes enchantingly amusing to read. Though the disgust level of Goblins did have my stomach churning once or twice. Still I enjoyed this little romp and could happily gaze at Froud's creations for hours.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read! The goblin's voice-over was a cute touch. I love how this book credits goblins for so many daily occurrences... from stubbing your toe to flatulent pets.

[Darklysewn · Rating 5 out of 5]

a delightful read from front to back. Brian Froud's illustrations and text are both whimsical and sweet. a great read for fans of Goblins.

[J. Blair Hartman III · Rating 2 out of 5]

i like his art, this felt like an underwhelming presentation

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's just fun.

[Michael Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you think that the goblins of Labyrinth were cute and fun, you will love this book. Brian Froud has drawn, fabricated and photographed many beautiful and charming goblins. For the pictures alone this book is worth the cost and at least 4 of 5 stars. However, this book is more than pictures.

The story that Ari Berk has created relating to these pictures is wonderful and whimsical. It presents as a children's book, and indeed it is, but there are some darker elements to this story. Not terrible in any sense, the story presents as a fiction, and most will believe it to be. Only when you realize the truth will the final pages become very concerning.

[Emilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous, imaginative art, as I've come to expect from Brian Froud! The descriptions of the various creatures depicted are creatively written, with wonderful little comments by goblins thrown in throughout. A great book of art for adults to enjoy, and I know when I was a child I would have absolutely adored the interactive nature of it (a letter in the back, notes from the authours on the dangers of their work with goblins, comments from a goblin being held captive in the closet, etc.)
Recommended for any fan, young or old, of Brian Froud, faeries, or the 'ologies' books.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basic Plot: An exploration of the realm of goblins, which will unfortunately infect your home with the feisty monsters.

Froud created the goblins of Labyrinth, and this book details their world in hilarious fashion. The paintings are wonderful and the whole construction of the book is creative and wonderfully detailed. There are lots of little tidbits waiting in these pages. If you love Froud's art as I do, and Berk's entertaining textual additions, you're going to love this.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Berk and Froud attempt to translate the Codex Goblinensis, but find themselves wishing they left the subject alone. They had "help" from the goblin Gargle and Froud's camera. Froud actually altered the camera used by Euphemia Cottington to take her famous faery photos. This book was creative and fun, but not my favorite of Brian Froud's. At times it was slow, and a bit of a mess in the details, but overall enjoyable.

[Wayne Farmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes this is a little bit silly in places, but Brian Froud's books are always full of silly, pointless fun. The artwork as always is lovely, although my one complaint would be that there weren't enough pictures of Goblins for my liking! If you love the Goblins in the movie Labyrinth like I do or any of the Pressed Fairy Books (Lady Cottington gets a mention) then you'd love this book - in particular the bits where a Goblin has added his own contributions to the book.

[K.S. Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

READ THIS BOOK AT YOUR OWN PERIL! Come to think of it, the same can be said of this review.

What a find! Three Goblin-minded artists - Brian Froud, Wendy Froud, and Ari Berk - coming together to chronicle, categorize, organize, scrutinize, and finally reveal the world of Goblins. Or maybe they didn't. Goblins are known to lie, so how can we be sure? I believe I may be a bit befuddled at this point.

[Zerofox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why, yes, I am a sucker for anything by Froud. Have I ever mentioned that I named my only child after a Henson/Froud creation? Yeah, so naturally, I loved it! I have almost all of his books, and no, I won't share them. My daughter would kill me in my sleep if I did. So I won't risk it. Get yer own.

[John (Hey Y'all Listen Up) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Froud and Berk tried to warn us that the Great Hullaballo was coming. Unfortunately, it looks like Berk mistranslated the Codex and instead of only lasting 24 hours, it's going to last 24 years (how else do you explain the last 20 years?)

Froud's artwork is worth checking out and Berk tries his hardest to be funny. Occasionally he succeeds.

[Leonardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the highlight's in Brian Fround's career, "Globins!" is a delighful book, a mischiveous guide through the society of the less savoury of the fairy-folk. "Pretty goblins" indeed... a treat to the eye (and many other senses... thought not always in the most pleasant of ways).

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny,well drawn,well written book.I loved the notes from the goblins and all the little things there are to pick up on!
A awesome book if your looking for a break from a bout of long or depressing books!:)

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do not drink anything while reading this book or you will have a serious mess on your hands...

... which will actually delight the Goblins.

Wickedly clever and funny book.

For more about an astounding storyteller, visit http://ariberk.com/

[[ J o ] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically, it's a kids book for kids with quite vague imaginations. The information was fairly insipid, and most of it was pretty whacky stuff your kid might like after some smarties, but the drawings were what I got the book for. I could look at goblins all day.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming presentation, filled with interesting illustrations. It feels like something with a touch of VanderMeer's Ambergris. Unfortunately, my focus lapsed about a third of the way through and it didn't really hold my interest throughout.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Froud's faery books more, but this was also great.

[Elyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the drawings.

[Kandice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for anything he draws or contributes to. This is fairly expensive, but had to have it to look at whenever I wanted!

[Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I always enjoy Brian Froud's art, but his book is not only good art; this book is a really funny one! I really enjoyed the "pretty goblins"

[Annaleely Leely · Rating 5 out of 5]

small dog with cheese

[Alecia Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not so much a book for reading as for enjoying the images and art. So I feel like I am cheating when I say I 'read' it....