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Recidivist IV
from the author http://www.fantagraphics.com/recidivist
It's as naked a book as i've ever done, and it is one of the most absurd...objects i've ever seen. I feel like that needs some explanation; because if you feel like you are ordering something normal, you need to know that you are not. If you engage this thing like you would any book you get at a store, you are going to be unhappy. This is a different deal-- not a little bit, but all the way. This book is NOT for everyone. If you are looking for a passive, easy reading experience, this is not it. That's sort of what the book is about. There's a reason the text is so difficult to read, there's a reason a CD is included instead of a download code. and it's not difficult for difficult's sake-- it really does have to do with the content of the book itself. Do i think every book should be like this? Hell no, but this one is. If all this sounds like an apology, let me assure you; IT IS NOT AN APOLOGY.
Seriously-- there are significant portions of this thing that you can only read if you hold it up to the light at a really, really precise angle. i've never seen a book like that, and (mostly) i did that on purpose, for a specific reason. Make no mistake--it's a pain in the ass. If you reacted to that last sentence with “Holy shit, are you kidding me? That sounds insane", well, click that button i got something for you. I really felt strongly about making something pointless, ridiculous, maddening, and beautiful. it's about failure and obsolescence and fear and hope and why anyone in this day and age would spend time and energy making and disseminating obscure printed sheets of paper with stuff on it and why that still matters, even if all signs point to the contrary.
You might like it, you might hate it; either is ok with me, but one thing is for absolutely certain: this is a very odd little object, and an object that can't accurately be described as a zine, a book, a commercially produced item, or even a comic. it's all those things, i guess, but also it's not. To me, it feels like no one else would make something like this, the way i made it. It doesn't look like it's trying to be something else, because it isn't. Most of the time, the form of "the thing" is just to contain the content, or the ideas inside. With this Recidivist, the form IS the content, and vice versa; they are not separate. I'm not trying to sound conceptual or academic, here: I'm saying that's what happened.
It's as naked a book as i've ever done, and it is one of the most absurd...objects i've ever seen. I feel like that needs some explanation; because if you feel like you are ordering something normal, you need to know that you are not. If you engage this thing like you would any book you get at a store, you are going to be unhappy. This is a different deal-- not a little bit, but all the way. This book is NOT for everyone. If you are looking for a passive, easy reading experience, this is not it. That's sort of what the book is about. There's a reason the text is so difficult to read, there's a reason a CD is included instead of a download code. and it's not difficult for difficult's sake-- it really does have to do with the content of the book itself. Do i think every book should be like this? Hell no, but this one is. If all this sounds like an apology, let me assure you; IT IS NOT AN APOLOGY.
Seriously-- there are significant portions of this thing that you can only read if you hold it up to the light at a really, really precise angle. i've never seen a book like that, and (mostly) i did that on purpose, for a specific reason. Make no mistake--it's a pain in the ass. If you reacted to that last sentence with “Holy shit, are you kidding me? That sounds insane", well, click that button i got something for you. I really felt strongly about making something pointless, ridiculous, maddening, and beautiful. it's about failure and obsolescence and fear and hope and why anyone in this day and age would spend time and energy making and disseminating obscure printed sheets of paper with stuff on it and why that still matters, even if all signs point to the contrary.
You might like it, you might hate it; either is ok with me, but one thing is for absolutely certain: this is a very odd little object, and an object that can't accurately be described as a zine, a book, a commercially produced item, or even a comic. it's all those things, i guess, but also it's not. To me, it feels like no one else would make something like this, the way i made it. It doesn't look like it's trying to be something else, because it isn't. Most of the time, the form of "the thing" is just to contain the content, or the ideas inside. With this Recidivist, the form IS the content, and vice versa; they are not separate. I'm not trying to sound conceptual or academic, here: I'm saying that's what happened.
56 pages, saddle-stitch
Published October 30, 2014
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 23, 2022
As usual, the technique and dense detail in Sally's drawings are impressive. The use of reflective ink also creates interesting effects (and no doubt drove up the cost of production). I can't say I'm such a fan of the writing though.
August 1, 2024
I haven't been depressed in several years but reading this made me want to start again! <3
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews