I started thinking of books in which an object is a central part of setting or a symbol for the character. What fictional objects do I wish were real and I could see and touch?
So for Deep-Fried Friday, I am opening my own museum.
Welcome to Julie's Novelties of Novels!
Enter inside and see what is featured in today's exhibit.
Sherlock Holmes's Pipe
While Sherlock Holmes is best known for smoking a Callabash pipe, this type is not mentioned in the short stories or novels by Arthur Conan Doyle. Instead, the most commonly referenced pipe is a churchwarden, which Sherlock smoked often when contemplating problems and solutions.
Image: pipetobacco.com
Source: PipesMagazine.com
The Hatter's Top Hat
Lewis Carroll never referred to him as the "Mad Hatter," although we all know him as such from the Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Instead, he was merely The Hatter. His tea parties were quite the event, so why shouldn't one look dapper wearing a Victorian top hat?
Sources: Several, including Lenny's Alice in Wonderland site
Harry Potter's Invisibility Cloak
This item is heavily guarded due to its magical powers. Used by Harry Potter and friends in the series by J.K. Rowling, invisibility can come in quite handy from time to time.
The Wardrobe to Narnia
Although we often picture a rather ornate wardrobe for the Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis only specified that it was big and had a looking glass in it. This Victorian wardrobe is the portal into the land of Narnia where animals talk and a lion rules.
Image from antiques-atlas.com
First told in the 17th century, the tale of Sleeping Beauty involves jealousy, an evil woman with a spinning wheel, and a curious young woman who cannot resist this fascinating gadget. Prick, sleep, and wait for a handsome prince. Charles Perrault, the Brothers Grimm, and Pyotr Tchaikovsky each told the story in their own way.
Image from The Canterbury Auction Galleries
"One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them,
One ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them."
Thus is the inscription in Black Speech on the ring featured in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien. The volcano ash has been polished off the ring for its display here.
Image by Marios Tziortzis
The Cat's Hat
The mischief maker from The Cat in the Hat maintained his distinctive look with this red-and-white hat which towered above his devious feline mind. Dr. Seuss's tale has been a beloved one since its printing in 1957.
Image from Okie Book Woman's Blog (cute Seuss stuff)
One ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them."
Thus is the inscription in Black Speech on the ring featured in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien. The volcano ash has been polished off the ring for its display here.
Image by Marios Tziortzis
The mischief maker from The Cat in the Hat maintained his distinctive look with this red-and-white hat which towered above his devious feline mind. Dr. Seuss's tale has been a beloved one since its printing in 1957.
Image from Okie Book Woman's Blog (cute Seuss stuff)
Now it's your turn: What would you put in your fiction museum? What items stand out to you in stories, books, television, or movies?
18 comments:
I want Harry Potters OWL! I tell ManPal that all the time! If Titanic were a book and not a movie I would say the saphire necklace. Also, Bella's engagement ring from Twilight. (Yes, I love those books. No, I am not ashamed of it.) Great post Julie!
That sapphire necklace should SO be in a museum. That thing was amazing! As to the owl, maybe you could open a fiction zoo next to my museum. ;) Thanks, Tracey!
Oh, I think I'd really love the fiction museum. It sort of reminds me of a pop culture exhibit I saw at the Smithsonian once. Very cool.
Off the top of my head, I'd add: The Mockingjay pin from The Hunger Games. Dorothy's silver shoes (not ruby slippers, that was the movie). Max's white wolf suit from Where The Wild Things Are.
I love them all, Erin - especially Max's suit! Based on my childhood reading, maybe I should have thrown in the loom from The Emperor's New Clothes.
Sonja Blue's switchblade (from Sunglasses After Dark). It had a dragon on the handle, and the release button was a ruby where the eye would be.
Rachel Morgan's complexion charm from the Kim Harrison books.
The music box from Carol Beach York's On that Dark Night.
Fun post. I had to think pretty hard to be able to contribute.
Those sounds great, Catie! I'm sure you could weave some great info for the placards with your artifacts.
These sound great! I LOVE Raiders of the Lost Ark, too.
Thanks, Handy Man, Crafty Woman!
I've been on a huge Terry Pratchett kick lately, so I'd have a whole section of my museum dedicated to Discworld artifacts: Angua's collar, Moist von Lipwig's golden hat, and, of course, the traveling travel chest!
Those were the first ones that came to mind, though I'm sure I could come up with a dozen other potentials by the end of the day!
Very fun post, Julie. My mind is drawing a blank right now, but my first thought was the Christmas Box by - was it Richard Paul Evans? I can't remember.
Patti
What a fun post! I think you picked all the ones I'd go for: the one ring and the invisibility cloak for sure. I loved the book Superfudge as a kid, and I'd love to have Peter's Kreskin's Crystal.
My first thought was Bob the Skull from The Dresden Files, however, Bob is really a character and not an object so I have to go with Harry's car, the Blue Beetle.
Not only has it been fascinating to see what y'all would put in a fiction museum, it makes me realize once again how many great books I have still yet to read!
Bob - I will have to ask my hubby about the Blue Beetle. He's the Dresden Files fan.
I think my favorite is Harry Potter's invisibility cloak. What a stroke of genius that was!
I would definitely put Edward Cullen in mine. Then I could kiss him to my hearts content. JK
I love this post. Thanks for sharing, Julie!
Ted Dekker's blank books of history. I am definitely a Dekker fan - there are many artifacts I would love to have from his series. :)
I mentioned this post to my daughter, and she said that Willy Wonka's golden ticket belongs in this museum. Also Junie B.'s glasses. Also, if we're including fairy tales we should include the boots from Puss'n'Boots, the apple from Snow White, and the glass slipper from Cindarella.
More great ones! I love Marla's daughter's pick. In fact, I considered putting Willy Wonka's ticket in the museum, but I hate that film. It gave me the serious creeps. Still, it's a classic!
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