Do you recognize this map?
It’s not super clear from the picture, but this is the inside jacket of The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. And if you’ve never read this book, or had it read to you, go do it- now.
My drawing class is called ‘Mapping Narratives’ and I didn’t think it would be so literal. It is, however, a “map” is a vague thing. Our first project is to do a self portrait with an existing map.
After much thought I knew the map I wanted to use was Thror’s Map from The Hobbit.
But I didn’t know what to do with it, or how to get it.
Instead of collaging it into a literal self portrait, because that’s boring, I decided I should make an account of the fictional places I’ve been, and maps of them- starting with A.A. Milne’s Hundred Acre Wood, and Juster’s Land’s Beyond, and ending with Tolkien’s Middle Earth- my most recent obsession. It all ties in together- places I’ve been, directions I’ve taken, and my love of adventure and stories.
I plan on scanning and printing these maps onto paper that fits how the map should read and binding them together in a book. The maps will fold out of the book with each turn of the page. Luckily, I have friends who know book binding.
However, on hand, I do not own a copy of all the books I plan on using, so I needed to go to the Boston Public Library, get a card, and get on over there. To get a Boston public library card, you need an ID and proof of address.
The only proof of address I had?
This box.
So I took the train to Copley, walked around with this box under my arm, and stuffed it with books.
If you have never been to the Boston Public Library in Copley Square, go. Go right now. (well, it’s closed after 5 p.m. on Fridays, but, go soon).
I hadn’t been since I was a kid and it’s lovely. I wandered around and admired the vast palace like building for a while until I made it over to children’s- you know, the normal place to visit at age eighteen.
The thing that was especially amazing to me was the amount of people there. The place was packed with adults, artists, kids- busy and bustling. Being in the middle of a city, the library was filled with every book I needed for this project. I feel so giddy just walking around and marveling at the existence of such this place- so vast and old. I could find any map I wanted here.
Once the book of maps is bound and copied I’ll be sure to share- right now I’m planning to use:
The Hundred Acre Wood from A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh
The Land Beyond from Norton Juster’s The Phantom Tollbooth
The Marauder’s Map from Rowling’s Harry Potter
Lake Lachrymose, from Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events
The map included in William Goldman’sThe Princess Bride
Lilliput, Blefuscu and Brobdingnag from Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels
Thror’s Map from Tolkien’s The Hobbit
Map of Middle Earth from Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings
Beleriand from Tolkien’s The Silmarillion
Unfortunately, there is no map of Wonderland (I happen to carry Carroll’s complete works with me at all times, don’t ask) and Good Omens takes place in England (I map take a map of England and throw it in as a fictional place- or label points in accordance with the book) but, any suggestions? I have never read Narnia, else I would include that, but any refreshers on works of fiction with maps would be lovely.
I’m excited for this project, even if it’s just copying and stitching- it’ll be fun to own and add to!
