"Of Mice and Magic" is a phrase that combines two different elements: the first being "Of Mice and Men," which is a famous novella by John Steinbeck, and the second being "magic," which represents a mystical and enchanting world. The phrase can be interpreted to convey a sense of juxtaposition and contrast between two seemingly unrelated concepts, highlighting the potential for unexpected connections and the power of imagination. In John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men," the story follows two main characters, George and Lennie, as they navigate the challenges of the Great Depression. The tale dives into themes of friendship, dreams, and the harsh reality of life. The title itself is symbolic, representing the fragility of dreams and the inherent vulnerability in striving for a better future. On the other hand, "magic" evokes a sense of wonder and escapism.
Ursula Vernon is the creator of the popular Dragonbreath series, and her work has won a Hugo award. She lives, writes, draws, and lives in a castle (ok, maybe it’s more like a house) in Pittsboro, North Carolina.
His many books include Of Mice and Magic A History of American Animated Cartoons , Leonard Maltin s 151 Best Movies You ve Never Seen , and Leonard Maltin s Movie Guide. A 2015 Texas Bluebonnet nominee A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2015 A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2015 A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2015 An ALA Notable Children s Book of 2016.
On the other hand, "magic" evokes a sense of wonder and escapism. It conjures up images of fantasy worlds, with wizards, spells, and mythical creatures. Magic inspires a sense of possibility, as it introduces elements beyond the boundaries of reality.
“OF MICE AND MAGIC” IN RUSSIAN? DA!
Next year will mark the fortieth anniversary of my book Of Mice and Magic: A History of Animated Cartoons. I feel lucky that it’s still in print; that’s because it has been adopted by high school and college courses covering the history of animation. But I never could have foreseen that it would have another life in the Russian language!
This happy turn of events came about because one of the country’s preeminent animators, Fyodor Khitruk, wanted to use it as a teaching tool. Frustrated that he could not interest a Soviet publisher, he set about translating the text, word for word, himself. (He had worked as a translator during World War Two.) Khitruk died in 2012 but some colleagues never gave up on the project. A few years ago I learned that it was in the works from Penguin, my American publisher. I rescanned the photos for their use; thank goodness I had almost all of them in my files.
Fyodor Khitruk, a master of animation who was honored around the world
Now it is a reality. I’m still getting accustomed to seeing my name spelled out in Cyrillic. (I’m reminded of the story Harpo Marx tells in his autobiography about touring the Soviet Union in the 1930s and phonetically reading his name as Xapno Mapcase.)
I am especially flattered that Mr. Khitruk took on this endeavor because I admire his work so much. I met him ever so briefly at an international animation festival in New York City back in 1973. Sometime later I fell in love with his clever comic short about how movies get made, Film Film Film (1968), which speaks a universal language. I just checked and it is available on YouTube along with other more serious-minded work by this masterful artist.
Here is the forlorn screenwriter in Khitruk’s very funny Film Film Film
I’m sorry he didn’t live to see his translated text become a published book, and I have him to thank for the rave reviews I have received in such unexpected sources as Izvestiya, one of the country’s leading newspapers, the TASS news agency, and a number of film journals.
My new friends, film historians Natalie Ryabchikova and Stanislav Dedinsky, have told me that my book’s publication “has been a momentous occasion for the professional community as well as for all lovers of animation (there’s a list of some of the critical responses below). The book has been highly praised by famous Russian animation directors and artists, such as Yuri Norshtein, Andrey Khrzhanovsky, Garry Bardin, Ivan Maximov, Konstantin Bronzit, Mikhail Tumelya, and others.” (Norstein’s classic Tale of Tales is about to play at New York City’s Film Forum.)
My Russian colleagues who have seen this through have also started making discoveries based on the book’s filmographies, which were prepared long ago by a young fellow named Jerry Beck . (I wonder what ever happened to him.) This may lead to some “finds,” which would be the highest reward I could ask.
Leonard Maltin is one of the world’s most respected film critics and historians. He is best known for his widely-used reference work Leonard Maltin’s Movie Guide and its companion volume Leonard Maltin’s Classic Movie Guide, now in its third edition, as well as his thirty-year run on television’s Entertainment Tonight. He teaches at the USC School of Cinematic Arts and appears regularly on Reelz Channel and Turner Classic Movies. His books include The 151 Best Movies You’ve Never Seen, Of Mice and Magic: A History of American Animated Cartoons, The Great Movie Comedians, The Disney Films, The Art of the Cinematographer, Movie Comedy Teams, The Great American Broadcast, and Leonard Maltin’s Movie Encyclopedia. He served two terms as President of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, is a voting member of the National Film Registry, and was appointed by the Librarian of Congress to sit on the Board of Directors of the National Film Preservation Foundation. He hosted and co-produced the popular Walt Disney Treasures DVD series and has appeared on innumerable television programs and documentaries. He has been the recipient of awards from the American Society of Cinematographers, the Telluride Film Festival, Anthology Film Archives, and San Diego’s Comic-Con International. Perhaps the pinnacle of his career was his appearance in a now-classic episode of South Park. (Or was it Carmela consulting his Movie Guide on an episode of The Sopranos?) He holds court at leonardmaltin.com. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook; you can also listen to him on his weekly podcast: Maltin on Movies. — [Artwork by Drew Friedman]
It allows individuals to explore their imagination and transport themselves to enchanting realms. When combining the two concepts of "Of Mice and Men" with "magic" in the phrase "Of Mice and Magic," it suggests a merging of these different worlds. It invites contemplation on the potential intersections and overlaps between the harshness of reality and the limitless boundaries of imagination. Perhaps it alludes to the idea that even in the most challenging circumstances, there is room for magic and the power of dreams to provide solace and hope. Overall, "Of Mice and Magic" is an intriguing phrase that sparks curiosity and encourages further exploration. It compels individuals to reflect on the relationship between the ordinary and the extraordinary, and how these two seemingly disparate elements can intertwine to create a rich and meaningful experience..
Reviews for "Crystal Mice: The Use of Mice in Divination and Scrying"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Of Mice and Magic." The characters felt flat and one-dimensional, and I couldn't connect with any of them. The plot was predictable and lacked any real depth or excitement. Overall, it just felt like a generic fantasy novel that didn't bring anything new or interesting to the genre. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating and engaging read.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - I couldn't even finish "Of Mice and Magic." The writing style was dull and uninspiring, and I found myself constantly bored and uninterested in what was happening. The world-building was lacking, and the magical elements felt forced and unnatural. The pacing was off, and there were too many unnecessary details that didn't contribute to the overall story. I would definitely not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written fantasy novel.
3. Michael - 2/5 - "Of Mice and Magic" failed to captivate me. The characters were cliché and lacked any real depth or development. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and I found myself cringing at some of the cheesy and melodramatic lines. The plot was predictable, and there were no real surprises or twists to keep me engaged. Overall, the book just didn't live up to the hype for me, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a unique and captivating fantasy read.