The Tough Guide to Fantasyland - Diana Wynne Jones

Necessary item in luggage

Do you read Fantasy, and do you have a sense of humor? This is an _absolutely can't do without_ type of item in your luggage for your next foray into the realms of the Fantastic.
Or you can use it to savor earlier journeys into Fantasyland. All with tongue firmly planted in your cheek.
I just _love_ this book. It is not a book to be read through in one sitting. You will get an overdose of DWJ's humor that way - but if you read it slowly, in pieces, savoring each entry (and sometimes going back to read earlier entries) you will get the most out of this book . All the way from groans through giggles to outright belly laughs. And yes, if you do not already have it, I heartily recommend that you buy it. Soon.

The Tough Guide to Fantasyland

This book is great fun. Diana Wynne Jones gives a comprehensive run down on all the cliches of fantasy fiction, including musings on the unique properties of horses in Fantasyland, the origins of elves, and why fantasy characters don't wear socks.
It really is very, very funny, and it's also a good guide to what to avoid if you're thinking of writing your own fantasy epic.

Hilarious

Absolutely a must read for those who like parodies, it's also a plus if you like fantasy novels as I found myself nodding along at some points.

It's set out alphabetically as things you're likely to encounter on your "tour" of fantasyland obviously based on "The Rough guide to..." series.

As the authour is a writer of fantasy fiction herself the book must be read as intended with tongue firmly in cheek.

If you like parodies and have read some fantasy stories you WILL like this book.

No fantasy novel will ever be the same again!

Add fun to your perusal of fantasy literature by acquiring and examining this essential guide! A wickedly funny look at cliches and conventions of fantasy writing, presented as a dictionary. Look up Food, of Horses, or Lost Heirs, and reread your well thumbed copy of The Belgariad, or Lord of the Rings, or indeed any fantasy, and see these books in a new, wry but affectionate light. Then read DWJ's Dark Lord of Derkholm, and Year of the Griffin; in these, she puts her observations into practice.
Recommended by Terry Pratchett himself (according to the cover)

Made me laugh

This is a dictionary of everything you may find on your travels through fantasy novels. The entries on the different qualities of such items as swords, cups, jewels and other talismans was hilarious. buy this book if you love fantasy novels. Much as I love them, there are so many silly things in them, and Diana Wynne Jones sends them up beautifully. You can't get cross with her if she does ridicule something you have a sneaking love for, because she writes this kind of thing herself.