Dave McKean on illustrating the limited edition of The Gormenghast Trilogy
Lose yourself in the gothic majesty of Mervyn Peake’s Gormenghast trilogy presented in this truly visionary edition from Folio. Introduced by master of modern fantasy Neil Gaiman, illustrated by the extraordinary Dave McKean and signed by both contributors, this is a startlingly original take on a cornerstone of speculative fiction.
Award-winning illustrator Dave McKean provides the collection’s 142 original hand-drawn illustrations, as well as startling cover designs for each book and an exclusive art print of iconic villain Steerpike.
Eschewing the traditionally gloomy and gothic, McKean’s concept has been inspired by the Gormenghast trilogy’s often overlooked sense of passion and colour. His renditions of Peake’s cast - from the enigmatic Countess Groan to the spidery manservant Flay - seethe with life and feeling, capturing the often stark surrealism of each book.
Dave McKean has also created the hypnotic maze design that envelops the hinged collection case, bound in stone-grey Dubletta cloth and blocked in crimson metallic foil with the title screen-printed in black ink. Opening the case itself releases a burst of corvids silhouetted against the sky in silver ink.
Strictly limited to 750 numbered editions, with each set signed by McKean and Gaiman, this extraordinary collection has been developed with the full approval of the Mervyn Peake Estate at every stage. A grand and gothic dream come true, this lavish limited edition of The Gormenghast Trilogy offers a modern testament to Peake’s timeless creative genius.
Order here: www.foliosociety.com/gormenghast
The Folio Society produces beautifully crafted collector’s editions of the world’s greatest books, each with unique illustrations or specially researched photographs throughout. Find books you love at foliosociety.com
Been obsessed with Dave since The Sandman. It is fantastic to see him being chosen for this project, that claustrophobic gothic style works so well with Gormenghast.
A dream project for collectors' libraries.
Ordered Mine! I actually read Gormenghast whilst the process of leaving a highly controlling religious cult. It helped me identify incredibly serious and machiavellian behaviours which were leading to blackmail against my family (financial and psychological). It was an incredibly cathartic experience reading them whilst living some of its truths. Gormenghast is a series of books which means a great deal to me for this reason, so I absolutely had to order this - especially with the visual sensibilities of Dave McKean. I would have forever regretted not doing so. Mervyn Peake is one of the few dead authors I wish I could have met in person, himself having grown up with religion... and that playing a big role of his upbringing in China. I reflect on his writing with great endearment, and I absolutely cannot wait to receive my pre-ordered edition for my 30th Birthday.
I brought the trilogy for my son last Christmas to read to my grandson but had not seen these I might rebut for myself xxxx
This is the crown in Dave's career!
I would genuinely sell my soul for this edition 😭😭😭
Yes, it's a financial sacrifice and not the most prudent given the times. but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to marry a writer and artist both of legendary status on a work of mythic cultural importance.
I second that.
Just wonderful!
I love the gormenghast blood the way they are written is so rich
I’ve always loved the Ghormeghast Trilogy and would LOVE too own this but Folio Society you are charging WAY WAY too much for these.
I wish I could get this, but holy hell is it expensive!
will you be releasing a non limited version? seems i am a little late to the party
I must confess I am probably the least tactile book person who has ever brought a book from you. I'm severely dyslexic and struggle to read long books from the page so cheat and use Audible (unabridged books always). However, I happened to stumble across Lecarres 'A Perfect Spy' which you have just released. I know this book inside out and have it in paperback but had to buy a copy from you for two reasons: one being the illustrations and the other being that one of the main charictors - Mary Pym was a doccumrnt forger for Mi5/Mi6 and a binds books as a hobby. It describes the process in a lot of derail and I couldn't help but notice your version of this is bound in the exact way she describes as I remember - blocked buckram. I know nothing about book binding what soever - I'm.an electrician. However this seemed so appropriate to this particular story! Is this a standard practice of yours and is pure coincidence or was it done in this way as a deliberate detail? I'm so excited to get hold of this addition which I have just ordered from you. The illustrations pictured on your site instantly tell me which part of the story they come from and I'm more than intriguing to see the others!! I have a suspicion one may be of the "old green filing cabinate' - which is such an emotive part of the story and almost a charictor in its own right! I may be completely wrong but can't wait to find out! Any info about this choice of binding method for this particular book would be massively apriciated! As I said - it may just be sheer coincidence and you bind many in this way. Kindest regards, Nick
Hi Nick, Thanks so much for getting in touch with this message and for your interest in our edition of A Perfect Spy! The binding used in this edition is purely coincidental, I'm afraid. Some of our other editions are bound in blocked buckram, such as The Best Short Stories of Fyodor Dostoyevsky or The Iliad. For each edition, our production team select the binding which they believe will work best with the design provided by the artist. We really hope that you'll enjoy this edition and Sam Green's lovely illustrations.
Hello, will these books be available in French please?
Hi Vincent! Apologies, but we only publish our books in English.
That garish shiny red on the box is so disappointing though. Flat ink would have been much less an eyesore.
Sandman
I hope this doesn't seem offensive but, as someone that has no experience of owning an open spine book, are they known for being durable and sturdy? Sorry if this seems rude.
At £745, you shouldn't even contemplate reading these books. As the artist Dave McKean remarks towards the end of the above video, "it's a piece of furniture"! And as with any fine crafted furniture, it's there to be gloated over and treasured by the owner rather than put to general use. Get a paperback reading copy from the charity shop for those occasions when you want to read the text and keep this in a safe place. Limited editions quickly lose their value once they show signs of wear and tear so it's advisable to use white gloves when handling something as exquisite as this. I doubt if Folio Society will bring out a "budget" version of this set as some commentators elsewhere are hoping....
Hi! Don't worry, it's not a rude question. Each of these sets have been carefully crafted at Graphicom in Italy, with one special quality being the open-spine binding. The page sections of each volume are printed, folded and gathered to create the title from small marks on the fold of each signature, giving a uniquely hand-drawn effect, and the loose threads on the spines are a feature of this technique. While not widely used, it is a long-established technique and produces sturdy and durable books - our books are made to be read and enjoyed! It also means that you can lay the books entirely flat while reading. For this edition of The Gormenghast Trilogy, the binding threads are secured with a protective layer for additional strength. I hope this helps, but if you have any further questions, please do contact us at customerservice@foliosociety.com.
@@TheFolioSociety Thank you for the information in your reply.
@@robertkay8585 thank you for the sound advice, bud. 😂
@@cathousecaller8168 Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain. Books weren't meant to be entombed like pharaohs. Books are to be open, read and enjoyed. The greater the craftsmanship, the greater the enjoyment of the experience. I have this set on order and I plan to read this set of books. I just finished Suntup's #d edition of Blood Meridian (also with the open butterfly binding) and it was a magnificent experience. Why would anyone devote years of their life to producing fine editions that are then to be walled up and never opened? Puh-Leeze!
The Folio Society must be commended for their often interesting choice of illustrators but for Gormenghast only Peake's drawings will do
Absolutely the wrong choice! Folio opted for a "Gaiman" name instead of artists (there are many) who have toiled over years. The lettering and design are trashy/flashy...