The Encyclopedia of Fantasy
This masterful follow-up to the 1993Encyclopedia of  Science Fictionis an  essential purchase for anyone who's serious about fantasy. Those who  are serious about horror will also find it an excellent reference.  The works of prolific and confusing authors such as Michael Moorcock,  as well as authors such as J. R. R. Tolkien who have many posthumously  published fragments, are explained with admirable clarity. Especially  fascinating are the numerous terms for motifs and themes, constituting  what the editors call a map of the many "fuzzy sets" in the universe  of fantasy fiction--terms such as "crosshatch," "polder," and  "water  margin." There are many entries on horror movies and the  better-known horror writers (only writers who write no fantasy, such  as Richard Laymon, are excluded). You'll also find carefully written definitions  of horror, dark fantasy, supernatural fiction, gothic fiction,  psychological thrillers, and weird fiction.LocuscallsThe Encyclopedia of Fantasy"massive and welcome," and writes,  "This will be the standard reference for years to come."--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.