John Bellairs
Encyclopedia
John Anthony Bellairs was an American author, best known for his well-respected fantasy
novel The Face in the Frost
as well as many gothic mystery
novels for young adults featuring Lewis Barnavelt, Anthony Monday
, and Johnny Dixon
.
and the University of Chicago
, Bellairs taught English at various midwestern and New England colleges for several years before turning full-time to writing in 1971. He maintained a lifelong interest in archaeology
, architecture
, kitschy antiques, bad poetry, traveling to the UK
, and studying history
and Latin
. His favorite authors included Charles Dickens
, Henry James
, C.V. Wedgwood, and Garrett Mattingly
, as well as M.R. James, from whose ghost stories he occasionally borrowed elements to work into his own fiction.
His first published work, St. Fidgeta and Other Parodies
, was a collection of short stories satirizing the rites and rituals of Second Vatican Council
-era Catholicism
. The title story of St. Fidgeta grew out of stories Bellairs made up and shared with friends while living in Chicago
. After committing one such story to paper, he sent it to the Chicago-based Catholic magazine the Critic, which published the story in its summer 1965 edition. The following year, the hagiography
of St. Fidgeta was supplemented by eleven other humorous stories, including an essay on lesser-known pope
s of antiquity, a cathedral constructed over the course of centuries, and a spoof letter from a modern-day Xavier Rynne
about the escapades at the fictional Third Vatican Council. The book remained out of print for decades until it was rereleased in a 2009 anthology.
The Pedant and the Shuffly, his second book, was a short, illustrated fable detailing the chaotic encounter of the two title characters and logic. It was originally published in 1968 and rereleased in 2001 and 2009.
Bellairs undertook The Face in the Frost
while living in Britain and after reading J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings
, but it is not much like that book, apart from sharing the idea of a wizard who is palpably human and not a literary stereotype. Bellairs said of his third book: "The Face in the Frost was an attempt to write in the Tolkien manner. I was much taken by The Lord of the Rings and wanted to do a modest work on those lines. In reading the latter book I was struck by the fact that Gandalf
was not much of a person—just a good guy. So I gave Prospero, my wizard, most of my phobias and crotchets. It was simply meant as entertainment and any profundity will have to be read in." Writing in 1973, Lin Carter
described The Face in the Frost as one of the three best fantasy novels to appear since The Lord of the Rings. Carter stated that Bellairs was planning a sequel to The Face in the Frost at the time. An unfinished sequel titled The Dolphin Cross was included in the 2009 anthology Magic Mirrors, which was published by the New England Science Fiction Association press
.
The House with a Clock in Its Walls
(1973), Bellairs's next novel, was originally composed as a contemporary adult fantasy, but at the time there was little market for such a thing. The second publisher to which it was submitted suggested rewriting it as a young readers' book; Bellairs did so, and thus determined the future course of his career. Bellairs wound up writing 15 young-adult novels.
Two books, The House with a Clock in its Walls
and The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn
, were adapted for television in 1979 and 1980, respectively. A number of books have also been released in such languages as German
, French
, Japanese
, and Polish
, among others.
at his home in Haverhill, Massachusetts
, in 1991. He was 53 years old.
At the time of his death he left behind two unfinished manuscripts and two one-page synopses for future adventures. Author Brad Strickland
was commissioned by the Bellairs estate to complete the two unfinished manuscripts and to write novels based on the two one-page outlines. These would become The Ghost in the Mirror; The Vengeance of the Witch-finder; The Drum, the Doll and the Zombie; and The Doom of the Haunted Opera, respectively. Starting in 1996
with The Hand of the Necromancer, Strickland began writing his own stories based on the established characters. In 1992, a historical marker was placed in front of the Cronin House in Bellairs's hometown of Marshall
, noting that the imposing Italianate mansion was the basis for his 1973 book
. Bellairs was inducted posthumously into the Haverhill Hall of Fame in 2000.
Strickland announced in spring 2005 that new adventures of the Bellairs characters were under way, following contract negotiations with the Bellairs estate and a two-year absence since his last-published novel. The first of these new adventures was The House Where Nobody Lived, released on 5 October 2006.
provided covers and frontispieces for all but three of Bellairs's 15 children's works, and continued to provide them for the Strickland novels until his death in 2000. The novel The Beast Under the Wizard's Bridge features Gorey's last published artwork before his death. Artists S. D. Schindler and Bart Goldman have created cover art for the books published since 2001.
The Gorey covers are no longer in print, though some books still contain interior Gorey illustrations.
Author of "Co-Authored" denotes books outlined by John Bellairs, completed by Brad Strickland
.
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
novel The Face in the Frost
The Face in the Frost
The Face in the Frost is a short 1969 fantasy novel by author John Bellairs. Unlike most of his later works, this book is meant for adult readers. It centers on two accomplished wizards, Prospero and Roger Bacon, tracking down the source of a great magical evil. The subject matter prompted Ursula K...
as well as many gothic mystery
Mystery fiction
Mystery fiction is a loosely-defined term.1.It is often used as a synonym for detective fiction or crime fiction— in other words a novel or short story in which a detective investigates and solves a crime mystery. Sometimes mystery books are nonfiction...
novels for young adults featuring Lewis Barnavelt, Anthony Monday
Anthony Monday (series)
Anthony Monday is a fictional character who appears in a series of children's gothic horror novels by John Bellairs and Brad Strickland. In each book, Anthony and his group of friends face and overcome various evil forces usually bent on ending the world....
, and Johnny Dixon
Johnny Dixon (series)
Johnny Dixon is a fictional character who appears in a series of children's gothic horror novels by John Bellairs and Brad Strickland. In each book, Johnny and his group of friends face and overcome various evil forces usually bent on ending the world....
.
Biography
After earning degrees at University of Notre DameUniversity of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
and the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
, Bellairs taught English at various midwestern and New England colleges for several years before turning full-time to writing in 1971. He maintained a lifelong interest in archaeology
Archaeology
Archaeology, or archeology , is the study of human society, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes...
, architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
, kitschy antiques, bad poetry, traveling to the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, and studying history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
and Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
. His favorite authors included Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
, Henry James
Henry James
Henry James, OM was an American-born writer, regarded as one of the key figures of 19th-century literary realism. He was the son of Henry James, Sr., a clergyman, and the brother of philosopher and psychologist William James and diarist Alice James....
, C.V. Wedgwood, and Garrett Mattingly
Garrett Mattingly
Garrett Mattingly was a professor of European history at Columbia University who specialized in early modern diplomatic history and won a Pulitzer Prize for a bestseller about the Spanish Armada....
, as well as M.R. James, from whose ghost stories he occasionally borrowed elements to work into his own fiction.
His first published work, St. Fidgeta and Other Parodies
St. Fidgeta and Other Parodies
St. Fidgeta & Other Parodies, a mostly uncategorizable spoof of 1960s Catholicism, was the first published work by John Bellairs. The original St. Fidgeta article first appeared in the Chicago-based Catholic magazine, the Critic. it describes the putative life of St...
, was a collection of short stories satirizing the rites and rituals of Second Vatican Council
Second Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed...
-era Catholicism
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. The title story of St. Fidgeta grew out of stories Bellairs made up and shared with friends while living in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. After committing one such story to paper, he sent it to the Chicago-based Catholic magazine the Critic, which published the story in its summer 1965 edition. The following year, the hagiography
Hagiography
Hagiography is the study of saints.From the Greek and , it refers literally to writings on the subject of such holy people, and specifically to the biographies of saints and ecclesiastical leaders. The term hagiology, the study of hagiography, is also current in English, though less common...
of St. Fidgeta was supplemented by eleven other humorous stories, including an essay on lesser-known pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
s of antiquity, a cathedral constructed over the course of centuries, and a spoof letter from a modern-day Xavier Rynne
Francis X. Murphy
Francis X. Murphy was a Redemptorist chaplain and theology professor. He is most known for his articles about the Second Vatican Council, published under the pseudonym Xavier Rynne.-Youth:...
about the escapades at the fictional Third Vatican Council. The book remained out of print for decades until it was rereleased in a 2009 anthology.
The Pedant and the Shuffly, his second book, was a short, illustrated fable detailing the chaotic encounter of the two title characters and logic. It was originally published in 1968 and rereleased in 2001 and 2009.
Bellairs undertook The Face in the Frost
The Face in the Frost
The Face in the Frost is a short 1969 fantasy novel by author John Bellairs. Unlike most of his later works, this book is meant for adult readers. It centers on two accomplished wizards, Prospero and Roger Bacon, tracking down the source of a great magical evil. The subject matter prompted Ursula K...
while living in Britain and after reading J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings is a high fantasy epic written by English philologist and University of Oxford professor J. R. R. Tolkien. The story began as a sequel to Tolkien's earlier, less complex children's fantasy novel The Hobbit , but eventually developed into a much larger work. It was written in...
, but it is not much like that book, apart from sharing the idea of a wizard who is palpably human and not a literary stereotype. Bellairs said of his third book: "The Face in the Frost was an attempt to write in the Tolkien manner. I was much taken by The Lord of the Rings and wanted to do a modest work on those lines. In reading the latter book I was struck by the fact that Gandalf
Gandalf
Gandalf is a character in J. R. R. Tolkien's novels The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. In these stories, Gandalf appears as a wizard, member and later the head of the order known as the Istari, as well as leader of the Fellowship of the Ring and the army of the West...
was not much of a person—just a good guy. So I gave Prospero, my wizard, most of my phobias and crotchets. It was simply meant as entertainment and any profundity will have to be read in." Writing in 1973, Lin Carter
Lin Carter
Linwood Vrooman Carter was an American author of science fiction and fantasy, as well as an editor and critic. He usually wrote as Lin Carter; known pseudonyms include H. P. Lowcraft and Grail Undwin.-Life:Carter was born in St. Petersburg, Florida...
described The Face in the Frost as one of the three best fantasy novels to appear since The Lord of the Rings. Carter stated that Bellairs was planning a sequel to The Face in the Frost at the time. An unfinished sequel titled The Dolphin Cross was included in the 2009 anthology Magic Mirrors, which was published by the New England Science Fiction Association press
NESFA Press
NESFA Press is the publishing arm of the New England Science Fiction Association, Inc. The NESFA Press primarily produces three types of books:...
.
The House with a Clock in Its Walls
The House with a Clock in Its Walls
The House With a Clock in Its Walls is a gothic horror novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1973. The book was illustrated by Edward Gorey.-Plot:...
(1973), Bellairs's next novel, was originally composed as a contemporary adult fantasy, but at the time there was little market for such a thing. The second publisher to which it was submitted suggested rewriting it as a young readers' book; Bellairs did so, and thus determined the future course of his career. Bellairs wound up writing 15 young-adult novels.
Two books, The House with a Clock in its Walls
The House with a Clock in Its Walls
The House With a Clock in Its Walls is a gothic horror novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1973. The book was illustrated by Edward Gorey.-Plot:...
and The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn
The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn
The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn is a mystery novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1978. The book was illustrated by Judith Gwyn Brown. Adapted for television in 1980.-Plot summary:...
, were adapted for television in 1979 and 1980, respectively. A number of books have also been released in such languages as German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
, French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, Japanese
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
, and Polish
Polish language
Polish is a language of the Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages, used throughout Poland and by Polish minorities in other countries...
, among others.
Death and afterward
Bellairs died of cardiovascular diseaseCardiovascular disease
Heart disease or cardiovascular disease are the class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels . While the term technically refers to any disease that affects the cardiovascular system , it is usually used to refer to those related to atherosclerosis...
at his home in Haverhill, Massachusetts
Haverhill, Massachusetts
Haverhill is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 60,879 at the 2010 census.Located on the Merrimack River, it began as a farming community that would evolve into an important industrial center, beginning with sawmills and gristmills run by water power. In the...
, in 1991. He was 53 years old.
At the time of his death he left behind two unfinished manuscripts and two one-page synopses for future adventures. Author Brad Strickland
Brad Strickland
William Bradley Strickland is an American author known primarily for his fantasy and science fiction. He was born in New Holland, Georgia....
was commissioned by the Bellairs estate to complete the two unfinished manuscripts and to write novels based on the two one-page outlines. These would become The Ghost in the Mirror; The Vengeance of the Witch-finder; The Drum, the Doll and the Zombie; and The Doom of the Haunted Opera, respectively. Starting in 1996
1996 in literature
The year 1996 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, is removed from an advanced placement English reading list in Lindale, Texas because it "conflicted with the values of the community."* In the United Kingdom, the first...
with The Hand of the Necromancer, Strickland began writing his own stories based on the established characters. In 1992, a historical marker was placed in front of the Cronin House in Bellairs's hometown of Marshall
Marshall, Michigan
Marshall is a city located in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is part of the Battle Creek, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 7,459. It is the county seat of Calhoun County...
, noting that the imposing Italianate mansion was the basis for his 1973 book
The House with a Clock in Its Walls
The House With a Clock in Its Walls is a gothic horror novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1973. The book was illustrated by Edward Gorey.-Plot:...
. Bellairs was inducted posthumously into the Haverhill Hall of Fame in 2000.
Strickland announced in spring 2005 that new adventures of the Bellairs characters were under way, following contract negotiations with the Bellairs estate and a two-year absence since his last-published novel. The first of these new adventures was The House Where Nobody Lived, released on 5 October 2006.
Illustrators
Edward GoreyEdward Gorey
Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:...
provided covers and frontispieces for all but three of Bellairs's 15 children's works, and continued to provide them for the Strickland novels until his death in 2000. The novel The Beast Under the Wizard's Bridge features Gorey's last published artwork before his death. Artists S. D. Schindler and Bart Goldman have created cover art for the books published since 2001.
The Gorey covers are no longer in print, though some books still contain interior Gorey illustrations.
Movies
Rumors of full-fledged motion picture adaptations of Bellairs' books have been exchanged online for years. To date, there is no official release date set for any movie.Awards
| # | Book Title | Award | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | The House with a Clock in its Walls The House with a Clock in Its Walls The House With a Clock in Its Walls is a gothic horror novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1973. The book was illustrated by Edward Gorey.-Plot:... |
American Library Association Children's Books of International Interest Award | 1973 |
| 02 | The House with a Clock in its Walls The House with a Clock in Its Walls The House With a Clock in Its Walls is a gothic horror novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1973. The book was illustrated by Edward Gorey.-Plot:... |
New York Times Outstanding Books of 1973 Award | 1973 |
| 03 | The House with a Clock in its Walls The House with a Clock in Its Walls The House With a Clock in Its Walls is a gothic horror novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1973. The book was illustrated by Edward Gorey.-Plot:... |
South Carolina Children's Book Award Nominee | 1978–1979 |
| 04 | The House with a Clock in its Walls The House with a Clock in Its Walls The House With a Clock in Its Walls is a gothic horror novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1973. The book was illustrated by Edward Gorey.-Plot:... |
Michigan Young Readers Award Nominee | 1980 |
| 05 | The House with a Clock in its Walls The House with a Clock in Its Walls The House With a Clock in Its Walls is a gothic horror novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1973. The book was illustrated by Edward Gorey.-Plot:... |
Maude Hart Lovelace Award Nominee (Minnesota) | 1982 |
| 06 | The Letter, the Witch, and the Ring | South Carolina Children's Book Award Nominee | 1979–1980 |
| 07 | The Letter, the Witch, and the Ring | Utah Children's Fiction Book Award | 1981 |
| 08 | The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn is a mystery novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1978. The book was illustrated by Judith Gwyn Brown. Adapted for television in 1980.-Plot summary:... |
Maude Hart Lovelace Award Nominee (Minnesota) | 1983 |
| 09 | The Curse of the Blue Figurine | Utah Children's Fiction Book Award Nominee | 1985 |
| 10 | The Curse of the Blue Figurine | Indian Paintbrush Book Award Indian Paintbrush Book Award The Indian Paintbrush Book Award is an award given annually to books nominated and voted on by children in the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades in Wyoming. The award was first given in 1986... Nominee (Wyoming) |
1986 |
| 11 | The Curse of the Blue Figurine | Virginia Young Readers Award, Middle School Division | 1986–1987 |
| 12 | The Curse of the Blue Figurine | Read-Aloud Books Too Good to Miss List (Indiana Library Federation) | 1990–1991 |
| 13 | The Mummy, the Will, and the Crypt | Iowa Teen Award Nominee | 1985–1986 |
| 14 | The Dark Secret of Weatherend The Dark Secret of Weatherend The Dark Secret of Weatherend is a gothic fantasy novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1984. The book was illustrated by Edward Gorey.-Plot summary:... |
Utah Children's Fiction Book Award Nominee | 1987 |
| 15 | The Eyes of the Killer Robot | Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award Nominee (Illinois) | 1991 |
| 16 | The Lamp from the Warlock's Tomb The Lamp from the Warlock's Tomb The Lamp from the Warlock's Tomb is a gothic horror novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1988. The book was illustrated by Edward Gorey.-Plot summary:... |
Edgar Allan Poe Award Edgar Award The Edgar Allan Poe Awards , named after Edgar Allan Poe, are presented every year by the Mystery Writers of America... , Best Juvenile Division, Nominee |
1989 |
| 17 | The Specter from the Magician's Museum | Georgia Author of the Year Award, Young Adult Division | 1998 |
| 18 | The Specter from the Magician's Museum | New York Public Library "Best Books for the Teen Age" Awards |
Novels
| # | Title | Month | Year | Series | # Chapter | # Page | Author | Illustrator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | St. Fidgeta and Other Parodies St. Fidgeta and Other Parodies St. Fidgeta & Other Parodies, a mostly uncategorizable spoof of 1960s Catholicism, was the first published work by John Bellairs. The original St. Fidgeta article first appeared in the Chicago-based Catholic magazine, the Critic. it describes the putative life of St... |
Jun | 1966 | 12 | 123 | John Bellairs | Marilyn Fitschen | |
| 02 | The Pedant and the Shuffly | Feb | 1968 | NA | 79 | John Bellairs | Marilyn Fitschen | |
| 03 | The Face in the Frost The Face in the Frost The Face in the Frost is a short 1969 fantasy novel by author John Bellairs. Unlike most of his later works, this book is meant for adult readers. It centers on two accomplished wizards, Prospero and Roger Bacon, tracking down the source of a great magical evil. The subject matter prompted Ursula K... |
1969 | 11 | 174 | John Bellairs | Marilyn Fitschen | ||
| 04 | The House with a Clock in its Walls The House with a Clock in Its Walls The House With a Clock in Its Walls is a gothic horror novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1973. The book was illustrated by Edward Gorey.-Plot:... |
Jan | 1973 | Lewis Barnavelt | 11 | 179 | John Bellairs | Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
| 05 | The Figure in the Shadows | 1975 | Lewis Barnavelt | 13 | 155 | John Bellairs | Mercer Mayer Mercer Mayer Mercer Mayer is an American children's book writer and illustrator. He has published over 300 books using a wide range of illustrative styles... |
|
| 06 | The Letter, the Witch, and the Ring | Jan | 1976 | Lewis Barnavelt | 13 | 188 | John Bellairs | Richard Egielski Richard Egielski Richard Egielski is an American illustrator most famous for Hey, Al, a book that Arthur Yorinks wrote, but for which Egielski won the 1987 Caldecott Medal for his illustrations... |
| 07 | The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn is a mystery novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1978. The book was illustrated by Judith Gwyn Brown. Adapted for television in 1980.-Plot summary:... |
May | 1978 | Anthony Monday Anthony Monday (series) Anthony Monday is a fictional character who appears in a series of children's gothic horror novels by John Bellairs and Brad Strickland. In each book, Anthony and his group of friends face and overcome various evil forces usually bent on ending the world.... |
17 | 180 | John Bellairs | Judith Gwyn Brown |
| 08 | The Curse of the Blue Figurine | May | 1983 | Johnny Dixon Johnny Dixon (series) Johnny Dixon is a fictional character who appears in a series of children's gothic horror novels by John Bellairs and Brad Strickland. In each book, Johnny and his group of friends face and overcome various evil forces usually bent on ending the world.... |
12 | 200 | John Bellairs | Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
| 09 | The Mummy, the Will, and the Crypt | Nov | 1983 | Johnny Dixon Johnny Dixon (series) Johnny Dixon is a fictional character who appears in a series of children's gothic horror novels by John Bellairs and Brad Strickland. In each book, Johnny and his group of friends face and overcome various evil forces usually bent on ending the world.... |
16 | 168 | John Bellairs | Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
| 10 | The Dark Secret of Weatherend The Dark Secret of Weatherend The Dark Secret of Weatherend is a gothic fantasy novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1984. The book was illustrated by Edward Gorey.-Plot summary:... |
Jul | 1984 | Anthony Monday Anthony Monday (series) Anthony Monday is a fictional character who appears in a series of children's gothic horror novels by John Bellairs and Brad Strickland. In each book, Anthony and his group of friends face and overcome various evil forces usually bent on ending the world.... |
15 | 182 | John Bellairs | Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
| 11 | The Spell of the Sorcerer's Skull | Nov | 1984 | Johnny Dixon Johnny Dixon (series) Johnny Dixon is a fictional character who appears in a series of children's gothic horror novels by John Bellairs and Brad Strickland. In each book, Johnny and his group of friends face and overcome various evil forces usually bent on ending the world.... |
11 | 170 | John Bellairs | Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
| 12 | The Revenge of the Wizard's Ghost | Nov | 1985 | Johnny Dixon Johnny Dixon (series) Johnny Dixon is a fictional character who appears in a series of children's gothic horror novels by John Bellairs and Brad Strickland. In each book, Johnny and his group of friends face and overcome various evil forces usually bent on ending the world.... |
15 | 147 | John Bellairs | Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
| 13 | The Eyes of the Killer Robot | Oct | 1986 | Johnny Dixon Johnny Dixon (series) Johnny Dixon is a fictional character who appears in a series of children's gothic horror novels by John Bellairs and Brad Strickland. In each book, Johnny and his group of friends face and overcome various evil forces usually bent on ending the world.... |
17 | 167 | John Bellairs | Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
| 14 | The Lamp from the Warlock's Tomb The Lamp from the Warlock's Tomb The Lamp from the Warlock's Tomb is a gothic horror novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1988. The book was illustrated by Edward Gorey.-Plot summary:... |
May | 1988 | Anthony Monday Anthony Monday (series) Anthony Monday is a fictional character who appears in a series of children's gothic horror novels by John Bellairs and Brad Strickland. In each book, Anthony and his group of friends face and overcome various evil forces usually bent on ending the world.... |
14 | 168 | John Bellairs | Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
| 15 | The Trolley to Yesterday | Jul | 1989 | Johnny Dixon Johnny Dixon (series) Johnny Dixon is a fictional character who appears in a series of children's gothic horror novels by John Bellairs and Brad Strickland. In each book, Johnny and his group of friends face and overcome various evil forces usually bent on ending the world.... |
18 | 183 | John Bellairs | Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
| 16 | The Chessmen of Doom | Nov | 1989 | Johnny Dixon Johnny Dixon (series) Johnny Dixon is a fictional character who appears in a series of children's gothic horror novels by John Bellairs and Brad Strickland. In each book, Johnny and his group of friends face and overcome various evil forces usually bent on ending the world.... |
16 | 155 | John Bellairs | Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
| 17 | The Secret of the Underground Room | Mar | 1990 | Johnny Dixon Johnny Dixon (series) Johnny Dixon is a fictional character who appears in a series of children's gothic horror novels by John Bellairs and Brad Strickland. In each book, Johnny and his group of friends face and overcome various evil forces usually bent on ending the world.... |
13 | 127 | John Bellairs | Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
| 18 | The Mansion in the Mist | Aug | 1992 | Anthony Monday Anthony Monday (series) Anthony Monday is a fictional character who appears in a series of children's gothic horror novels by John Bellairs and Brad Strickland. In each book, Anthony and his group of friends face and overcome various evil forces usually bent on ending the world.... |
17 | 170 | John Bellairs | Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
| 19 | The Ghost in the Mirror | Apr | 1993 | Lewis Barnavelt | 13 | 169 | Co-Authored | Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
| 20 | The Vengeance of the Witch-finder | Sep | 1993 | Lewis Barnavelt | 15 | 153 | Co-Authored | Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
| 21 | The Drum, the Doll, and the Zombie | Sep | 1994 | Johnny Dixon Johnny Dixon (series) Johnny Dixon is a fictional character who appears in a series of children's gothic horror novels by John Bellairs and Brad Strickland. In each book, Johnny and his group of friends face and overcome various evil forces usually bent on ending the world.... |
15 | 153 | Co-Authored | Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
| 22 | The Doom of the Haunted Opera | Sep | 1995 | Lewis Barnavelt | 16 | 153 | Co-Authored | Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
| 23 | The Hand of the Necromancer | Sep | 1996 | Johnny Dixon Johnny Dixon (series) Johnny Dixon is a fictional character who appears in a series of children's gothic horror novels by John Bellairs and Brad Strickland. In each book, Johnny and his group of friends face and overcome various evil forces usually bent on ending the world.... |
18 | 168 | Brad Strickland Brad Strickland William Bradley Strickland is an American author known primarily for his fantasy and science fiction. He was born in New Holland, Georgia.... |
Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
| 24 | The Bell, the Book, and the Spellbinder | Oct | 1997 | Johnny Dixon Johnny Dixon (series) Johnny Dixon is a fictional character who appears in a series of children's gothic horror novels by John Bellairs and Brad Strickland. In each book, Johnny and his group of friends face and overcome various evil forces usually bent on ending the world.... |
16 | 149 | Brad Strickland Brad Strickland William Bradley Strickland is an American author known primarily for his fantasy and science fiction. He was born in New Holland, Georgia.... |
Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
| 25 | The Specter from the Magician's Museum | Mar | 1998 | Lewis Barnavelt | 16 | 149 | Brad Strickland Brad Strickland William Bradley Strickland is an American author known primarily for his fantasy and science fiction. He was born in New Holland, Georgia.... |
Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
| 26 | The Wrath of the Grinning Ghost | Sep | 1999 | Johnny Dixon Johnny Dixon (series) Johnny Dixon is a fictional character who appears in a series of children's gothic horror novels by John Bellairs and Brad Strickland. In each book, Johnny and his group of friends face and overcome various evil forces usually bent on ending the world.... |
15 | 166 | Brad Strickland Brad Strickland William Bradley Strickland is an American author known primarily for his fantasy and science fiction. He was born in New Holland, Georgia.... |
Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
| 27 | The Beast Under the Wizard's Bridge | Sep | 2000 | Lewis Barnavelt | 15 | 151 | Brad Strickland Brad Strickland William Bradley Strickland is an American author known primarily for his fantasy and science fiction. He was born in New Holland, Georgia.... |
Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
| 28 | The Tower at the End of the World | Sep | 2001 | Lewis Barnavelt | 15 | 146 | Brad Strickland Brad Strickland William Bradley Strickland is an American author known primarily for his fantasy and science fiction. He was born in New Holland, Georgia.... |
S. D. Schindler |
| 29 | The Whistle, the Grave, and the Ghost | Aug | 2003 | Lewis Barnavelt | 14 | 152 | Brad Strickland Brad Strickland William Bradley Strickland is an American author known primarily for his fantasy and science fiction. He was born in New Holland, Georgia.... |
S. D. Schindler |
| 30 | The House Where Nobody Lived | Oct | 2006 | Lewis Barnavelt | 18 | 173 | Brad Strickland Brad Strickland William Bradley Strickland is an American author known primarily for his fantasy and science fiction. He was born in New Holland, Georgia.... |
Bart Goldman |
| 31 | The Sign of the Sinister Sorcerer | Oct | 2008 | Lewis Barnavelt | 13 | 168 | Brad Strickland Brad Strickland William Bradley Strickland is an American author known primarily for his fantasy and science fiction. He was born in New Holland, Georgia.... |
Bart Goldman |
Author of "Co-Authored" denotes books outlined by John Bellairs, completed by Brad Strickland
Brad Strickland
William Bradley Strickland is an American author known primarily for his fantasy and science fiction. He was born in New Holland, Georgia....
.
Publishers
| # | Title | Amber | Artist House | Bantam Skylark | Barnes & Noble | Corgi | Dell Yearling | Dial | Editions du Rocher | Editora Record | Gallimard Jeunesse | Harcourt Brace Jovanovich | Heyne | Macmillan | Mythopoeic Press | NESFA Press | Puffin | Shueisha Publishing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | St. Fidgeta and Other Parodies St. Fidgeta and Other Parodies St. Fidgeta & Other Parodies, a mostly uncategorizable spoof of 1960s Catholicism, was the first published work by John Bellairs. The original St. Fidgeta article first appeared in the Chicago-based Catholic magazine, the Critic. it describes the putative life of St... |
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| 02 | The Pedant and the Shuffly | |||||||||||||||||
| 03 | The Face in the Frost The Face in the Frost The Face in the Frost is a short 1969 fantasy novel by author John Bellairs. Unlike most of his later works, this book is meant for adult readers. It centers on two accomplished wizards, Prospero and Roger Bacon, tracking down the source of a great magical evil. The subject matter prompted Ursula K... |
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| 04 | The House with a Clock in its Walls The House with a Clock in Its Walls The House With a Clock in Its Walls is a gothic horror novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1973. The book was illustrated by Edward Gorey.-Plot:... |
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| 05 | The Figure in the Shadows | |||||||||||||||||
| 06 | The Letter, the Witch, and the Ring | |||||||||||||||||
| 07 | The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn is a mystery novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1978. The book was illustrated by Judith Gwyn Brown. Adapted for television in 1980.-Plot summary:... |
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| 08 | The Curse of the Blue Figurine | |||||||||||||||||
| 09 | The Mummy, the Will, and the Crypt | |||||||||||||||||
| 10 | The Dark Secret of Weatherend The Dark Secret of Weatherend The Dark Secret of Weatherend is a gothic fantasy novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1984. The book was illustrated by Edward Gorey.-Plot summary:... |
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| 11 | The Spell of the Sorcerer's Skull | |||||||||||||||||
| 12 | The Revenge of the Wizard's Ghost | |||||||||||||||||
| 13 | The Eyes of the Killer Robot | |||||||||||||||||
| 14 | The Lamp from the Warlock's Tomb The Lamp from the Warlock's Tomb The Lamp from the Warlock's Tomb is a gothic horror novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1988. The book was illustrated by Edward Gorey.-Plot summary:... |
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| 15 | The Trolley to Yesterday | |||||||||||||||||
| 16 | The Chessmen of Doom | |||||||||||||||||
| 17 | The Secret of the Underground Room | |||||||||||||||||
| 18 | The Mansion in the Mist | |||||||||||||||||
| 19 | The Ghost in the Mirror | |||||||||||||||||
| 20 | The Vengeance of the Witch-finder | |||||||||||||||||
| 21 | The Drum, the Doll, and the Zombie | |||||||||||||||||
| 22 | The Doom of the Haunted Opera | |||||||||||||||||
| 23 | The Hand of the Necromancer | |||||||||||||||||
| 24 | The Bell, the Book, and the Spellbinder | |||||||||||||||||
| 25 | The Specter from the Magician's Museum | |||||||||||||||||
| 26 | The Wrath of the Grinning Ghost | |||||||||||||||||
| 27 | The Beast Under the Wizard's Bridge | |||||||||||||||||
| 28 | The Tower at the End of the World | |||||||||||||||||
| 29 | The Whistle, the Grave, and the Ghost | |||||||||||||||||
| 30 | The House Where Nobody Lived | |||||||||||||||||
| 31 | The Sign of the Sinister Sorcerer | |||||||||||||||||
| 32 | Magic Mirrors | |||||||||||||||||
| 33 | The Best of John Bellairs | |||||||||||||||||
| 34 | The Best of John Bellairs 2 |
Audiobooks
| # | Title | Year | Publisher | Narrator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | The Face in the Frost The Face in the Frost The Face in the Frost is a short 1969 fantasy novel by author John Bellairs. Unlike most of his later works, this book is meant for adult readers. It centers on two accomplished wizards, Prospero and Roger Bacon, tracking down the source of a great magical evil. The subject matter prompted Ursula K... |
1995 | Recorded Books | George Guidall |
| 02 | The Ghost in the Mirror | 1995 | Recorded Books | George Guidall |
| 03 | The House with a Clock in its Walls The House with a Clock in Its Walls The House With a Clock in Its Walls is a gothic horror novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1973. The book was illustrated by Edward Gorey.-Plot:... |
1995 | Recorded Books | George Guidall |
| 04 | The Lamp from the Warlock's Tomb The Lamp from the Warlock's Tomb The Lamp from the Warlock's Tomb is a gothic horror novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1988. The book was illustrated by Edward Gorey.-Plot summary:... |
1995 | Recorded Books | Betty Low |
| 05 | The Mansion in the Mist | 1995 | Recorded Books | Betty Low |
TV shows
| # | Show Title | Book Title | TV Producer | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Once Upon a Midnight Scary | The House with a Clock in its Walls The House with a Clock in Its Walls The House With a Clock in Its Walls is a gothic horror novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1973. The book was illustrated by Edward Gorey.-Plot:... |
VideoGems | 1979 |
| 02 | The Clue According to Sherlock Holmes | The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn is a mystery novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1978. The book was illustrated by Judith Gwyn Brown. Adapted for television in 1980.-Plot summary:... |
VideoGems | 1980 |
| 03 | The House with a Clock in its Walls The House with a Clock in Its Walls The House With a Clock in Its Walls is a gothic horror novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1973. The book was illustrated by Edward Gorey.-Plot:... |
The House with a Clock in its Walls The House with a Clock in Its Walls The House With a Clock in Its Walls is a gothic horror novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1973. The book was illustrated by Edward Gorey.-Plot:... |
Barr Films | 1991 |
| 04 | The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn is a mystery novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1978. The book was illustrated by Judith Gwyn Brown. Adapted for television in 1980.-Plot summary:... |
The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn is a mystery novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1978. The book was illustrated by Judith Gwyn Brown. Adapted for television in 1980.-Plot summary:... |
Barr Films | 1991 |
External links
- Bellairsia | blog | forum
- Behind The Books: A Closer Look At John Bellairs
- Bellairs's grave in Greenwood Cemetery, Haverhill
See also
- Lewis Barnavelt (series)
- Johnny Dixon (series)Johnny Dixon (series)Johnny Dixon is a fictional character who appears in a series of children's gothic horror novels by John Bellairs and Brad Strickland. In each book, Johnny and his group of friends face and overcome various evil forces usually bent on ending the world....
- Anthony Monday (series)Anthony Monday (series)Anthony Monday is a fictional character who appears in a series of children's gothic horror novels by John Bellairs and Brad Strickland. In each book, Anthony and his group of friends face and overcome various evil forces usually bent on ending the world....
- List of horror fiction authors