favorite tarot novels?

Padma

I don't read the sort of fiction that might treat tarot as a plot feature, but I did once read several that were clearly based on tarot and pathworking: Roger Zelazny's old Amber sci-fi/fantasy series. Each of the nine Princes of Amber had his own private universe, and each one had a Trump card that could open a pan-dimensional doorway so he could travel the paths between the universes and drop in on the others (where he wasn't always welcome). They used their Trumps in much the same way that tarot Trumps are used for pathworking on the Tree of Life.

I LOVED that series! Great tale! I think the best part was as you say, they could use the cards as doorways to travel through. (really, seems the whole point with tarot, doesn't it?) There were so many interesting layers of meaning in those books...

Andromeda Klein (Frank Portman). BRILLIANT.

YES.

Bone Dance by Emma Bull. The plot is outlined on a Celtic cross reading done by one of the characters, for the protagonist. Good book that looks at issues of gender, personal autonomy, and community. Cracking good story, too.

That sounds so interesting!
 

Akiwa

You guys are so awesome! I've got a new reading list here thanks to your outpourings! Thanks so much! I can't wait to dive in. šŸ˜Š
 

bogiesan

Klein. Thanks!

Andromeda Klein (Frank Portman). BRILLIANT.

Just finished. Ripe for a sequel or series. Thanks for the recommendation. Enjoyed it much.
 

bogiesan

Tarot Cafe was a fun little jaunt both as a Manga series and as a few novels.
The Manga Series begins with this volume: http://amzn.to/1bxqh2B
The novels begin here: http://amzn.to/1bxqmDo

Yes, enjoyed the manga tremendously but have not been able to find the novels locally. GReat tarotish plot design and multiple, intersecting story threads with satisfying twists.
Weirdly disturbing, though, in parts. A bit of age or maturity of experience is recommended to process the sexuality and violence.
 

Richard

Little, Big by John Crowley
 

BlueLotus

I have read this book a while ago, and it is in a sense related to tarot, title and contents, namely, The Devil, The Lovers and Me: My Life in Tarot, by Kimberlee Auerback.

I found it quite a pleasant read. . .
 

mayan

Chymical Wedding by Lindsay Clarke. A quite fascinating novel and steeped in tarot, western mystery tradition and alchemy, as I recall - it's been a while.
 

_R_

A recent study (in French) makes the claim that Georges Rodenbach's beautifully evocative Symbolist novel, "Bruges-la-Morte", in 15 chapters, is based on the Tarot. [An abridged English version of that article is available here: http://bruges-la-morte.net/wp-content/uploads/BLM_English_1_et_2.pdf ]

An English translation of Rodenbach's haunting masterpiece is available here: http://bruges-la-morte.net/wp-content/uploads/Bruges-la-Morte-english-translation.pdf

A more recent translation was published by Dedalus a few years ago.