Hugo: Novelettess

So! I didn't really like any of the short stories that much (though some were ok) but have genuinely enjoyed most of the novelettes, I think the extra length gives space for actual characterisation and plot.
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Ivan Bilibin

Are people familiar with the Russian illustrator Ivan Bilibin? I grew up with translations of his books as a kid and adored them, and it's only recently it struck me that those whose mothers are not arty types of somewhat Eastern European extraction may be unfamiliar with him. So: look at his art! Isn't it the prettiest thing you have ever seen?

(Answers of "no" will not be accepted :P)

I was inspired to look him up after getting an idea for a fairy tale influenced piece, but now I feel a little intimidated by the awesome. Alas the books I had as a kid with their cool russian covers don't seem to be for sale any more, but I'm definitely going to try and find some way to buy a book of his pictures, because they are much richer in person. I can't remember if the text that came with them was any good, since we had a couple of versions of those folk tales.

(EDIT: here's some of the stories, ah such a nostalgia trip)