This guide covers the Folio Society’s 2023 holiday collection. The editions, prices and availability discussed below reflect that period and may have changed.
The Folio Society specializes in illustrated and collectible editions designed as objects to keep as well as books to read. Its 2023 holiday collection ranged from science fiction and fantasy to history, literary fiction and comics.
Folio Society Dune edition
Our standout from the collection was Frank Herbert’s Dune. The Folio Society edition paired Herbert’s science-fiction novel with illustrations by Hilary Clarcq and presentation packaging. In 2023, the edition was listed at $145. That price is historical rather than a current buying recommendation.
Science and fantasy books
Other 2023 selections included Brian Cox and Andrew Cohen’s The Planets, featuring color imagery from space missions, and Diana Wynne Jones’s Charmed Life. Fantasy readers could also find Enid Blyton’s The Enchanted Wood and Ursula K. Le Guin’s Tales from Earthsea.
Marvel and illustrated classics
The collection included The Avengers, selected and introduced by former Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Roy Thomas. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein appeared in an illustrated edition featuring artwork by Angela Barrett.
History and literary fiction
For history-minded readers, the 2023 lineup included Hilary Mantel’s Bring Up the Bodies, a companion to the Folio edition of Wolf Hall, as well as Antonia Fraser’s The Six Wives of Henry VIII.
Literary-fiction choices included Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Buried Giant, Agatha Christie’s Ordeal by Innocence, Cormac McCarthy’s No Country for Old Men, Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities and Toni Morrison’s Beloved.
Who these editions are for
These books make the most sense as gifts for readers who value illustration, binding and presentation in addition to the text itself. They are premium editions rather than inexpensive reading copies, so the appeal is largely in the physical production and collectibility.
More gift ideas
For a broader mix of current gift categories, see our holiday gifts for him and her guide.
Bottom line
The Folio Society’s 2023 holiday lineup offered elaborate editions of familiar books, with Dune standing out among the editions we considered. Readers finding this guide today should check current Folio Society listings for available editions and pricing rather than relying on the 2023 figures above.
Discover more from Famadillo.com
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.