CITY OF GOLDEN SHADOWS

Cover illustration for Tad Williams first Otherland book

Sep 20, 2024

A shimmering cascade winds through a city of radiant domes and spires all rendered in gold. Eventually the concentrated stream dissipates as it exits lower right through an ornate gate of intersecting arches. Descending from high, an animated string of human figures, varying in sequential poses, vanishes down into a large jeweled window atop the largest dome. Across the dome's facade a nonsensical string of symbols floats (a dove, padlock, ammonite, hourglass, rowboat, starfish, etc). — CITY OF GOLDEN SHADOWS (1996), Acrylic on Watercolor Board - 24" x 18"

A sophisticated blend of science fiction and fantasy by Tad Williams. The virtual reality storyline of Otherland offers a vast playground of the imagination. I doubt I'm alone feeling that in the right hands the series would make for a spectacular and compelling translation to film or television.

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