Tree of Codes

I like Jonathan Safran Foer, and I like his new book. Safran Foer basically creates a new story from Bruno Schulz's Street of Crocodiles. How? Suffice to say that you should flip through a physical (not digital!) copy. I guarantee your reaction will be similar to the ones in this Moby Award-winning book trailer:



For me, the story works. I thought Schulz's language was overwrought, and Safran Foer edits it nicely to create a completely different story. It was interesting to consider what was cut out, but the technique is not faithfully carried to the end; you'll agree once you figure out the origin of the book's title.

For a similar reworking of an old text, check out Tom Phillips' Humament. I would also keep an eye out for other books by the publisher, Visual Editions.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Date: 10 July 2011