Where the Blue Begins (1922) by Christopher Morley, illustrated by Arthur Rackham, is a whimsical and philosophical fantasy novel that blends satire, allegory, and charm. The story follows Gissing, an anthropomorphic dog living in a world of civilized canines, who embarks on a quixotic quest to discover “where the blue begins”—a metaphor for the horizon, the divine, or the unattainable truths of existence.
Rackham’s illustrations, though fewer than in his fairy-tale works, enhance the book’s dreamlike quality with his signature ethereal style. His delicate ink and watercolor scenes depict Gissing’s adventures—aboard a ship crewed by philosophical rats, in a department store turned temple, and in dialogues with deities—with a blend of wit and wonder. The art mirrors Morley’s playful yet profound prose, which pokes at human (and canine) pretensions while celebrating the poetry of curiosity.
A cult classic of early 20th-century whimsy, pairing Rackham’s magic with Morley’s gentle existentialism.
“Rackham’s blue isn’t just a color—it’s the edge of the world, where logic dissolves into wonder.” — The New York Times, 1923*
