Sail for islands that never were and stroll the streets of cities born from dreams. This lavish guide maps the realms of myth, fantasy, and literature with wit and wonder. Open The Dictionary of Imaginary Places and let your inner explorer plot the next impossible journey.
Have you read this book? Share what you liked (or didn’t) and get personalized recommendations.
Start or resume Shelf TalkThese picks are popular with readers who enjoyed this book. Possible spoilers below.
In The Dictionary of Imaginary Places, did you enjoy the encyclopedic cataloging of fantastical worlds?
If you delighted in the way The Dictionary of Imaginary Places guides you through hidden cities and mystical realms with maps, histories, and witty commentary, you'll love The Encyclopedia of Fantasy. This book is a treasure trove of entries on invented lands, magical creatures, and fantasy themes, each accompanied by insightful analysis and cross-references that invite you to wander through the entire imaginative landscape of fantasy literature.
In The Dictionary of Imaginary Places, did you enjoy inventive descriptions of imaginary cities?
If you were enchanted by the creative, whimsical descriptions of fantastical places in The Dictionary of Imaginary Places, you'll be mesmerized by Invisible Cities. Through Marco Polo's conversations with Kublai Khan, Calvino invents dozens of cities, each with its own surreal logic and poetic atmosphere, turning the act of exploration into a philosophical and artistic journey.
In The Dictionary of Imaginary Places, did you enjoy playful, literary catalogues of the fantastical?
If you relished the clever, tongue-in-cheek tone and the erudite yet playful approach in The Dictionary of Imaginary Places, The Book of Imaginary Beings is a perfect match. Borges collects and describes mythical creatures from folklore, literature, and his own invention with wit and a light literary touch, making the impossible feel wonderfully plausible.
In The Dictionary of Imaginary Places, did you enjoy invented geographies and mythical locations?
If you found the catalog of invented lands in The Dictionary of Imaginary Places both fascinating and intellectually stimulating, you'll appreciate The Phantom Atlas. This beautifully illustrated book presents real historical maps featuring places that never existed—like Hy-Brasil, the Mountains of Kong, or the Island of California—blending cartographic history with the strange allure of the imaginary.
In The Dictionary of Imaginary Places, did you enjoy playful experimentation with the boundaries of fiction?
If you enjoyed the way The Dictionary of Imaginary Places blurs the line between reality and fiction with its catalogue of invented lands, you'll be intrigued by If on a winter's night a traveler. Calvino crafts a novel that's an ode to reading itself, with interrupted stories, shifting perspectives, and a narrative that invites you to become part of the book's playful game.
