Crimson Peak: The Art of Darkness by Mark SalisburyMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Crimson Peak is a movie I discovered this year and promptly fell in love with. I devoured the novelization of the movie, due to the backstory and further rounding out of the characters, and was delighted to learn that there was an 'Art of' book associated with it. After all, the look of the movie was one of the things I greatly enjoyed, so to read more about how that look came to be would be something to delight me.
Crimson Peak: The Art of Darkness is more than just your typical 'Art of' book. It can be referred as the bible of Crimson Peak, with detailed information on the characters themselves as well as the sets, the history of each place, motivations and so much more. In less than 200 pages there is an entire mythology set up that makes me... well, yearn for a return to the world, and a return to Allerdale Hall. Do you think del Toro could be convinced into doing a sequel? You may think I'm joking, but I'm really not.
Guillermo del Toro is one of those directors whose personal projects - which could be suggested as being the bulk of his work - always fasincate me because he puts so very much thought and creativity into them. With this in mind it can be argued that this book is a testament to that creativity. The hints of the character biographies that, while not necessarily needed, help to reveal so much about these characters with whom you can sympathize even if the actions they have taken are far from your own personal taste. Yes, I am thinking mostly of Lucille there. Poor, broken girl.
I'm trying to find the words, here, to help explain just why this book is sticking in my head as being just so amazing as to gain five stars but the best way I could do this is just to hand it over and ask you to read it. Actually read it, and look at the sketches of costuming they provide, the snippets of biographies, the prints of in universe material... When I referred to it as the bible of the movie, I don't think I was being too out of turn. The Art of Darkness contains everything a Crimson Peak fan could ever want to know about the movie, the world of it, and the characters that inhabit it.
And, on the shallow side? It's an entirely gorgeous book that will look amazing on the bookshelves or even as a coffee table piece. I will personally stick with the bookshelves. I just need to work out how to arrange it to show it off best...
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