I an unable to review this title, as it was archived before I had a chance to download and read it. This feedback is only to stop this title from adversely affecting my netgalley feedback rate. If in the future I have the opportunity to read this title, I will post a proper review here.

This is the perfect companion to any fan of Guillermo del Toro. I have loved del Toro’s work for years, also this book filled me with absolute joy and delight. It is full of beautiful imagery from del Toro’s films (which alone should be enough incentive to purchase this), insightful background into del Toro’s inspirations for his work and overall is a wonderful retrospective look at the work of a legendary creator. While acknowledging that this is an unofficial book (which the author makes perfectly clear, so no trickery here), it feels obvious that it is written by someone that is deeply respectful and passionate about the films. It feels like a book formulated by a fan for fans, which is why I stress that this is a fantastic accompaniment piece for fans of the directors work. This is definitely a book that I will pick up again when I re-watching old favourites like Pan’s Labyrinth, even if it’s just to look at the beautiful collection of curated images and snapshots from the movies.

Guillermo del toro by Ian Nathan.
Iconic Filmmakers Series.
In this book, acclaimed author Ian Nathan charts the progression of a career that has produced some of contemporary cinema’s most revered scenes and idiosyncratic characters. This detailed examination looks at how the strands of del Toro’s career have woven together to create one of modern cinema’s most ground-breaking bodies of work. Delving deep into del Toro's psyche, the book starts by examining his beginnings in Mexico, the creative but isolated child surrounded by ornate catholicism and monster magazines, filming stop motion battles between his toys on a Super-8 film camera. It follows him to film school, where we learn of his influences, from Kafka to Bunuel, and explores his 1993 debut Cronos, the independent horror debut which draws on the religious and occult themes which would recur throughout del Toro's work.
An ok read. Different. It wasn't what I thought 3*.

Having read Ian Nathan's book on Alien and owning a copy of his book on Peter Jackson, I was looking forward to his take on the history of one of the most visual directors we have working in the film industry. Fortunately, Guillermo del Toro is a fantastic companion to the director and his works. With a history of the director's work that breaks down all of his films and highlights the influences and processes del Toro has incorporated throughout his career, this book can not be recommended enough to fans and general film fans alike.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Really great read, i love his books especially pans labyrinth so this was a really cool read, would buy

Thanks to the publishers for sharing this one. It's fascinating! I really liked hearing about del Toro's background and the making of some of the films and the photos are great. My full review appears on Weekend Notes.

What a beautiful and interesting book about Guillermo del Toro and his work. I read all his books and I could still find new information in this great art book. It's filled with beautiful images and stories about Guillermo del Toro's work and what he had to go through to create his masterworks. It's a fantastic book for fans but I'm certain that cinephiles would enjoy it just as much. Thank you!

*I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A great reminder of the many reasons I love Guillermo del Toro's work (and Guillermo del Toro) - and yet an eye-opener for the next time I'll rewatch Hellboy, Pan's Labyrinth, Blade II, Crimson Peak, The Shape of Water. This is an extremely informative look behind the scenes, but I most appreciated Nathan's excursions into the psychology behind each film. Being a creator myself, nothing fascinates me more than analysing media visuals for deeper meaning, ties to the artist's own life, for repeating motifs that musty mean something more to them. It makes me look at my own art with more depth and helps me realize what's truly meaningful to myself.

Considering del Toro's notebooks and penchant for aesthetics, I had hoped for more concept art and insights into his idea development, but Nathan chose to go for a less cineastic and more production-based biography, which is fair. I can keep scouring the internet for more Prince Nuada concept sketches by myself.

The book Guillermo del toro by Ian Nathan is an in-depth look into del Toros work as an artist and director. The book is about his life and his inspirations. I enjoyed the way the book spoke of his life.

My thanks to Quarto Publishing Group White Lion for a temporary digital review copy via NetGalley of ‘Guillermo del Toro: The Iconic Filmmaker and his Work’ by Ian Nathan in exchange for an honest review.

This is a beautifully presented biography that details del Toro’s career film by film, each one accompanied by a stunning series of photographs. Ian Nathan clearly has a deep appreciation of these films and places them in relation to del Toro’s developing career as well as the wider history of film.

It’s such a pleasure to read a film historian with such a breadth of knowledge, who celebrates genre film and also has an understanding of horror and Gothic fiction tropes.

While I have been aware of a number of del Toro’s films, I didn’t know that he had been responsible for ‘Mimic’, which I had enjoyed in the tradition of 1950s big bug movies; as well as ‘Pacific Rim’, though not my kind of film had impressive design and special effects.

The influence of H.P. Lovecraft on del Toro’s work wasn’t something I knew of before reading this book. I also enjoyed the glimpses inside del Toro’s home, Bleak House, with its macabre decor.

Ian Nathan cited del Toro’s exploration of the ‘border country between horror and fairy tale’. I found this a very powerful description and one that resonated deeply with me. As well as his role as a writer, producer, and director, Ian Nathan also touches on Guillermo del Toro’s novels and upcoming projects.

Overall, an excellent overview of Guillermo del Toro’s life and work. I found it very informative as well as a visual treat.

Highly recommended and the perfect gift for a film enthusiast wishing to expand their knowledge of this iconic filmmaker.

I have been in love with Guillermo del Toro's mind since I first saw Pan's Labyrinth. According to some I might have been to young for it, but being only a few years older than its main character Ofelia, I was actually the perfect audience for its blend of horror and fantasy, it's combination of reality and magic. I have seen many of del Toro's other films since and never lost that love. Naturally Ian Nathan's deep-dive would be the perfect read for me. Thanks to Quarto Publishing, White Lion Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Few filmmakers are as open about their passion and craft as Guillermo del Toro. He is an unashamed fanboy, a man who loves comics, films, and books. He does not hide his inspirations, never belies the brilliance of other people's work. While all these influences inspire him, he has his own tone and style that bleeds through in every single project he has worked on. Whether it is a superhero movie (pre-Marvel) like Blade II, a balls-to-the-wall funride like Pacific Rim, or a beautiful yet clinic analysis of fascism, like The Devil's Backbone and Pan's Labyrinth, it is all sumptuous and full of depth. So how does he do it? How does he move so freely between genres? How does he recover from losing out on The Hobbit or his hoped for The Count of Monte Cristo? Ian Nathan to the rescue with many answers and suggestions! His Guillermo del Toro is full of passion and admiration, quoting extensively from del Toro's own interviews and thoughts and paying close attention to the details of his films. Throughout each of these chapters we get the voice of del Toro himself, giving us insights into the life events that occurred alongside his creations. What stood out to me most, however, was the strong thread of creative friendships throughout del Toro's career. He is no jealous auteur, not the kind of genius who side-eyes other people's creations. He collaborates, takes feedback, enjoys pushback and gives support himself.

Guillermo del Toro is roughly divided by his films, dedicating a chapter to each that chronicles the joys and struggles of creating the film, the nastiness of the Hollywood business, the painstaking process of crafting his elaborate sets, and the sometimes instantaneous bursts of creativity del Toro is capable of. Starting of with a chapter on the man himself, his childhood in Mexico with a bohemian mother and a strictly religious grandmother, we get a sense of the violence he witnessed on the streets and the beauty he found in monsters. It all comes together to inspire his first film, Cronos. Nathan explains the long journey to this film, the budget issues, the industry constraints, the friendships forged and the lessons learned. His next film, Mimic, saw him attempt working in Hollywood to unhappy results. Working under an unpleasant Bob Weinstein, del Toro learned some tough lessons but was not defeated. Nathan then tracks the depth in The Devil's Backbone and the fun and expertise behind Blade II. Hellboy (the first and the sequel) remains a fun riot full of depth and details, a story of a truly human demon. Pan's Labyrinth must remain my eternal favourite and it truly feels like a film in which so many things came together for del Toro. It was followed by a slow period, however, full of unfinished projects and frustrated dreams. But Pacific Rim came in to bust through any creative and financial blocks that may have been in del Toro's way. Crimson Peak was another highlight for me, a lover of Gothic literature, a film full of ghosts, but about ghosts. Nathan's penultimate chapter focuses on the triumph that was The Shape of Water, a stunning film in which many of the lessons we see del Toro learn come together. A final chapter focuses on his upcoming films, Nightmare Alley and Pinocchio.

Ian Nathan does a brilliant job at guiding a reader through the labyrinth of Guillermo del Toro and his work. For a man who is so open about his creative process, del Toro is surprisingly difficult to encapsulate in a single sentence due to his broad work. Does he make fantasy films? or is he a gore-lover? Is it all big machines and pretty houses? Or is it thoughts on fascism and masculinity? Nathan is a capable guide, letting del Toro's own statements speak for themselves but providing the right kind of background and callbacks to help the reader understand the man. He is also not afraid to criticize the man, however, which is key in a book like this, which can too easily stray into mindless fawning. He picks out the lessons del Toro had to learn, the potential flaws in certain films, and the way in which del Toro's extensive world-building and attention to detail can overpower a plot. But this just makes for a fascinating show of progress and development. White Lion Publishing was kind enough to send me a physical copy of the book and I'm utterly delighted to let you know it is absolutely stunning. The book is protected by a beautiful slipcase adorned with the same stunning cover. The book is easy to hold, despite it's size and is beautifully bound, which makes it easy to leave through. The images cover entire pages or form a sort of collage, fitting very well with Nathan's text on the page. It gives you the impression of a scrapbook, or, even better, of del Toro's own leather notebooks in which he jots down his ideas. It makes Guillermo del Toro both beautiful to look at and interesting to read.

Ian Nathan's Guillermo del Toro is an invaluable insight into this master's work and life. It is a must for any del Toro fan, but also an intriguing read for anyone interested in the art of film-making, the pressure of creation, and the endless corridors of a master's mind.

A great collection piece for del toro fans, this title goes through the history of his films. I suspect it would be most beneficial to new fans but it would be a nice collection none the less

I cannot actually think of someone whose first four films I all paid to go and see in the cinema who isn't del Toro, and yet there was always something about his films that make them less than the sum of the parts. For all the exuberance of Hellboy and the conviction his genre-savvy auteurship leads to his films, there is always the fact he employed a third of Bros as an uber-vampire, and, of course, Hellboy 2, for cryin' out loud. Part of me wanted to make a pat comparison with the man and this book, but this just about does do all it sets out to achieve, unlike its subject. "You need to define success by the degree of fulfilment," and all that, to quote the man himself.

It is highly visual, with hardly a page not given a still, set photo or relevant poster art, and it all comes over as looking very de luxe, bred from weeks and years of stewing in notebook form, perhaps, like the movies it's concerned with. It is very brash – comments along the lines of Ron Perlman having "a voice like a cave-in" barely acceptable back in the author's Empire magazine days, let alone here. But I think here is something much more the Hellboy than the Hellboy 2, if not one of his heartfelt if over-rated Spanish-language efforts. (Now, if you don't know, Hellboy 2 suffered because del Toro was sucking up to his own ideas, throwing everything that could walk past a kitchen sink on to the set, and ending up with a boring movie featuring practically zero humans, and practically zero humanity for us to give a toss about. Whether one supernatural side won their battle or the other did barely meant jack all to anybody living on Earth.)

But here there is a human character, the monster-obsessed guy, forcing open doors into the world of movie make-up, having his father kidnapped for a large ransom (a story that had evaded my attention before now), and drumming his ideas and aesthetic as much as he can into both quieter, personal creations like The Shape of Water and rampaging franchise-geared entertainments – and being almost convincing in saying that the two are the same thing. Who knew he was a devotee of sewers as a child, and that led to some of le look du Blade 2? Not me.

I guess del Toro is a likeable chap, along the lines of flawed geniuses, but this volume isn't concerned with interpreting his character along such lines. No, it's a lot more factual, and in barely calling anything out as pants does kind of fit the standard reading of the man's life, work and films, which as you've seen I can not quite adhere to. In fact, an overly-optimistic ending (saying del Toro has two films to come in 2021, when both are 2022-bound) suggests the author has seen them both, although the real cineaste would have been interested in raising the issues leading from Crimson Peak being an IMAX gimmick. (Also missing is any comment from anyone else, ie what's he like as a director, friend, husband?) The fact the book knows more of the cast of these imminent films than imdb does at my time of writing shows this could have been a superlative inside picture. What we have is high on pictorial craft, low on judgement, and strong with journalistic detail. Let's face it, it would never have been as fantastically individual as its topic. But it certainly is worth consideration, much like the man himself.

Guillermo Del Toro has been one of the most unique movie directors for the past 15 years. His works have an authentic and unique feel that is rare in western cinema. Watching most of his movies has always been not just a treat for the eyes, but always has something for my mind to sink its teeth into.

Guillermo Del Toro, The Iconic Filmmaker and His Work, is a book that delves into the beginnings of Del Toro, his interests, and how he developed his aesthetic. It examines the movie's director's development, his missteps, and how he almost lost his sense of self thanks to the cutthroat environment of Hollywood.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS BOOK
I love how the author allowed space for the director's own words about his processes. I love reading Del Toro's words about what was going through his mind during the creation of his ideas.

The images in the book illuminate what kind of director Del Toro is. Being able to glimpse into a few pages of his actual notebook to see how he constructs his ideas in words and pictures was exciting.

DISLIKES
None

WHO IS THE BOOK FOR?
This is for Del Toro's fans, both newcomers and long-time admirers. It gives an insight into what makes the director tick as well as what he considers as good movies.

Many thanks to Quarto Publishing Group for providing a review copy.

Dark fairy tales, gothic horror, amphibious love stories and Spanish Civil War history – surely no other director has spanned quite so many genres while achieving this level of critical success. A fan since Pan’s Labyrinth, I was thrilled to read this insightful, in-depth look at the work of the visionary auteur Guillermo del Toro.

Former Empire magazine film critic Ian Nathan explores Del Toro’s early years in Mexico and his beginnings in special effects, before looking at each of his films in detail. From his debut vampire fable Cronos and the chilling Devil’s Backbone, to the dark allegory of Pan’s Labyrinth, gothic romance of Crimson Peak, Oscars smash The Shape of Water, upcoming film noir Nightmare Alley and everything in between.

This fascinating coffee table book offers behind the scenes anecdotes, insights from Del Toro himself (taken from a huge number of sources over the years) and explanations of the recurring motifs and obsessions we see again and again in his films. Otherworldly experiences from his early years in Mexico and the shocking kidnap of his father go some way to explaining this exceptional, macabre mind.

Showcased throughout Bleak House, Del Toro’s personal museum, we also find out about the array of artists, authors and directors that have shaped his career. H.P. Lovecraft, Arthur Machen, William Hope Hodgson, Alexandre Dumas, Mary Shelley and many more. Victor Erice’s Spirit of the Beehive is identified as a major early influence, combining Del Toro’s beloved Frankenstein and the fascist monsters of the Spanish Civil War. As we see so often in his work, humans are shown to be the real source of evil here, rather than the fantastical creatures that visit them.

Thank you Netgally for my copy of this read.
This was an interesting read and I learnt so much from it. Especially as I just recently read Pan's Labyrinth I found this so good to read.

The book looks like an article of a magazine. It describes the work and life of Guillermo del Toro with details. I like it includes many photos of the films he directed along with his personal life.

I admire Guillermo so much so looking into his mind and creative process is amazing.
He trully is one of the biggest filmakers of this century !!

A brief but nonetheless substantial guide to the already-legendary director that's sure to provide information for both the uninitiated and those familiar on a secular scale.

Full immersion is easy here, as the presentation of the book pops with choice pictures and cleanly transitions into different entries/films.

As opposed to giving a written history on the man, Nathan seems to have just mined the best details, ones that directly give us a glimpse into the mindset of Del Toro before, during, and after production. What happens to a director between projects can often be just as interesting as the projects themselves, and Del Toro just might be the best modern example of that.

It's not going to cover literally everything he's ever done up until 2021 (producing credits, etc.) so those expecting it to be *that* extensive will find this work wanting; as for what it is--a comprehensive guide to understanding his features--it's a splendid, eye-opening read sure to enrich first-time or subsequent viewings.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for the advance read.

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