Reverence Library: Volume One

by Sing Statistics (Editor), Matthew Allard, Josh Fireland

Reverence Library Volume One is the first in a new series of abridged pocket encyclopaedias 'inspired by fact and reworked by fiction'. Essentially, reference books with lies in. Each volume sees a handful of writers and illustrators interpreting three fascinating subjects through art and short fiction. Volume One concerns Galleons, Nikola Tesla, and The Trans-Siberian Railway.

112 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2011

About the author

Sing Statistics is an independent press publishing fiction and illustration.

Reviews

[Eleni Kalorkoti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly informative and beautifully illustrated volume, which will surely now take it's rightful place as the new encyclopaedia brittanica on the bookshelves of the nation.

[Matthew Allard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a story in this: I'm biased. Lovely artwork and idea/execution on behalf on Sing Statistics crew.

[Noemí Lowe · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a collection of short stories, Reverence Library is very interesting. The stories are short, to the point of nearly being flash-fiction, but mostly enjoyable. (There are a couple that I felt dragged down the collection, but hardly any collection is without its low points. I find this especially true with collections with multiple authors since a reader will usually connect with some writer's styles more than others.)

However, I don't think it's enough to judge this book on its fiction alone since it's a collaboration between writers and visual artists. As an aesthetic piece of art I find it very lacking. Though there are one or two interesting illustrations, for the most part the illustrated sections of the book just aren't up to the standard of most of the fiction. The artistic styles are mostly flat and bland, with little that heightens or elucidates the three themes of the book. I speak generally here, but there are a couple illustrated sections I found to be very well done.

All in all, Reverence Library is amusing and enjoyable as a collection of short prose, but ultimately disappointing as a whole. It disappoints because Sing Statistics seems to have aimed very high in their vision of this book--the talent they assembled is impressive--but it just doesn't come together as a complete package.

I look forward to seeing where they go from here with Volume Two, if there is one forthcoming.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really lovely little book with super stories. Especially loved Matthew Allard's 'Birds' - beautifully dark tale.