The crucible of Guillermo del Toro’s unifying vision can be found in his fabled notebooks—illustrated diaries where he records his inspirations and which often lead directly to the distinctive entities, moments, and settings found in his creations. Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities takes these personal records of his creative process as the basis for a stunning art book and insightful examination of the distinctly “del Toro” themes (such as clockwork, monsters, parent-child relationships, and the use of ancient tomes) that haunt, electrify, and enrich his work.

Cabinet of Curiosities begins with a book-length interview with del Toro by New York Times best-selling author and filmmaker Marc Scott Zicree, in which they identify and discuss del Toro’s reigning themes, citing examples of his signature motifs that have originated in the notebooks and then migrated to the minds of other artists del Toro has worked with, including storyboard artists, concept artists, makeup artists, cinematographers, and comic book artists. Also explored are del Toro’s personal inspirations, including literary references, old films, and figures from mythology.

The second half of the book contains faithful reproductions of del Toro’s most elaborate notebooks. Accompanying this rich mixture of imagery, narrative explorations, and notes, are translations of del Toro’s personal blend of Spanish and English, as well as additional annotations, which further elucidate the ideas and the contexts that gave rise to them. Offering a privileged reproduction of Guillermo del Toro’s private reveries, Cabinet of Curiosities presents his vision in its proper context, offering a first-hand record of a truly arresting imagination.