Xanth: A Spell for Chameleon (2007) Movie Preview with Cast & Crew, Photos & Trailer at The Movie Insider

Way back when I was a lad, just cutting my teeth on fantasy and science fiction literature, my parents used to take me to the local bookstore where they would spend literally hours of time wandering their three aisles of books. No joke: three aisles. no exaggeration: hours. the bookstore was called “Gateway”. As I recall, the last time I was in my hometown it had closed down.

Well, my brother and I had to find something to do there, so we would pick out a book in short order and sit down to read it. In truth we rarely got very far in to the books. In any case, one of the first and most accessible real fantasy books I read was called “A Spell for Chameleon” by Piers Anthony. Although I have fond memories of it I have no illusions about its place in the pantheon of fantasy literature.

I looked at Epinions to see what they thought of it and they used words like lighthearted, imaginative, juvenile and inconsequential.

I remember someone I knew described Piers Anthony as a mysoginist. I don’t remember that coming through in this book, but its been, maybe 25 years since I read it. wow.

So when Ben and I were returning from camping we were talking about things and he expressed an interest in writing in general and about gnomes in particular. He’s developed an interest/fascination with gnomes lately. Don’t ask why - well, don’t ask me.

You can ask him, but I have no idea.

So we were talking on the way home and his interest in fantasy in general and writing made me think that he’s probably ready to take on a full-sized book and I remember A Spell for Chameleon as being funny and silly and … accessible, you know? He’s ten years old. I think he’ll dig it.

So I ordered it from half.com and it just arrived today, so I can give it to him this evening.

I wonder if he’ll be interested or just discard it.

I’ll let you know how it goes.

Tags: Uncategorized //