Chimera (Barth novel) Chimera (Barth novel) Chimera is a 1972 fantasy novel written by American writer John Barth, composed of three loosely connected novellas. The novellas are "Dunyazadiad", "Perseid" and "Bellerophoniad", whose titles refer eponymously to the mythical characters Dunyazad, Perseus and Bellerophon (slayer of the mythical Chimera). The book is an example of postmodernism, which can be seen in its metafictional content and its incorporation of stylistic elements that go beyond the traditional novel genre. It shared the U.S. National Book Award for Fiction with "Augustus" by John Edward Williams. The Dunyazadiad is a retelling of the framing story of Scheherazade, the
Terrible Monster to be, not unlike Chimera, having a spear flung down its throat. It is known by no other name, aside from translation. Allardice, Pamela. "Myths, Gods and Fantasy. A Sourcebook." Dorset: Prism Press, 1990, p. 201. Terrible Monster Terrible Monster is a creature that allegedly attacked Jerusalem in the early 18th century. According to local lore, it was formed of the blood of murder victims and would kill anyone who came near it. The chimerical monster was said to be nearly 50 feet long, with the head of a lion, the beak and talons of an eagle, and the tail