In Hobbit heaven

The Hobbit – Desolation of Smaug, Chronicles – Art and Design,
by Daniel Falconer (HarperCollins, RRP $60):

Weta Workshop extraordinaire, Daniel Falconer, has compiled this third book in The Hobbit Chronicles series and it is simply gorgeous. Beautiful to touch and to hold, it covers a myriad concept arts, design, illustrations, descriptions of set pieces and development etches of the second Hobbit film.

As you open the book, you notice each page, from beginning to end, is a journey in itself, with fantastic illustrations which draws in fans of Peter Jacksons’ interpretation of Tolkien’s world. One by one, each chapter covers the fantastic landscapes, characters and sets that audiences will have seen on film. There is Lake Town, Spiders and course the spectacular Smaug.

Tucked in at the end of this book is The Master’s Portrait, an unexpected surprise of the despicable character which Stephen Fry portrays.

Falconer has not developed this book alone. He has gained the help of almost all of the production crew to ensure it keeps every Hobbit fan busy for hours. A book which can be absorbed in one big gulp, or nibbled at from time to time, this is a must have for any Hobbit fan.

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