Here’s an interesting question: If you could travel to any fictional world, where would you go, and what would you do there? I think I’d like to go visit The Dark Lord of Derkholm, by Diana Wynne Jones. I loved this book. The whole world sounds fantastic, but I’d especially love to see the griffins. In this story a world is being used to provide packaged excursions for tourists from the next universe that are in search of adventure. It’s a magical land with wizards, magical creatures, dragons even. Derk, a wizard, has figured out how to create especially outlandish creatures, and even has managed to have a few children who are griffins. He is chosen, against his will, to be the next Dark Lord, and the story that follows is adventurous, amusing, and has a very satisfying conclusion. Really, his whole family would be fascinating to meet, but I was especially intriguedby the griffins.
How about you, whoever you are who might be reading this? Where would you like to go, and what would you do?