Some books are hard to read.
©readinginterrupted
©readinginterrupted
Book 4 by Lucas Samaras at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
I wasn’t able to open the book as it was in its display box (to protect the book or perhaps to protect us).
However, the gallery label explains that the book contains a series of short fictional works written by the artist. It goes on to say that “each thick amoeba–shaped page contains surprises, such as pop–ups, pockets, interlocking layers, foldouts, and hidden pamphlets.”
Of course, you have to get the book open first.
Some books are hard to read.
reading interrupted. 
Wow. I think I might get that book in audio instead. 😉
That is SO funny! I wonder what it would sounds like? Nails on a blackboard and squeaky wheels?
Hmm, now that you mention it, maybe I should go with an ebook instead…
Probably a safer bet, haha!
I L-O-V-E this! Nothing like a word artist turned visual artist as well! ❤ ❤
So great, right? I wonder which came first, writing the book or the idea for the object itself.
Maybe they evolved together?
Yes, most likely.
I love this kind of art, it makes us think, specially because he is writer too. Very interesting book, now I want to know what he wrote. Will look it up on the internet. Like this post very much :). Have a wonderful week!
It was a small object in a very big room but got my attention right away (well, of course, because it was a book) but also because it forces us to look at something so familiar in a different way. Have a wonderful week too Doris!
A kind of torture-book if you get close…. Very interesting to look at!
Torture, indeed! I wonder if the stories inside have that as their theme? That would be quite interesting.
Looking at the book only makes me want to read it more. I can imagine the pain might make one gain in understanding it. Another wonderful post, Letizia.
It’s true, its impenetrability makes it all the more inviting. Funny how that works.
Oh, my! I’m guessing it’s a murder mystery. A very GRUEsome murder mystery! And though I never read murder mysteries, I HAVE read books that feel this torturous, they’re so bad lol Of course, I no longer read bad books if I can help it 😀
A murder mystery would be quite fitting indeed! I’m glad you are able to avoid reading bad books, haha!
The book is fabulous.!! I love seeing altered books as works of art. I have been making altered books for a few years for this ferocious book is incredible.
I don’t think I knew that you also made altered books, Virginia. This one is fascinating, right?
One might even say SHARP!
haha, yes!
Great looking book… Let’s face it, definitely a coffee table book!
Yes! But you have to make sure it’s in the middle of the coffee table – you wouldn’t want to accidentally hit your leg on this one, ouch!
Sometimes those “bad books” are all the more enticing…..
So inviting, so tempting…..
Mmmmm…… a new kind of censorship, perhaps.
What a brilliant take on this piece of art – I love that idea.
Wow Letizia its a very cool piece of art. Thanks for sharing. Im fascinated to read what would be inside. Horror maybe? Love it.
Horror stories would be perfect. How creepy.
I actually reviewed this book once. I cited the author’s “razor wit” and noted that she “really nailed the ending.” In an unrelated note, this is the highest selling Cyber Monday item at PerfectGiftsForYourEx.com. For a limited time, it comes with a free tetanus shot.
Hahaha! Your review was spot on, it had me on “edge” (I’m not as good at this as you are).
You’re a sharp one, Letizia. Cut yourself some slack.
I thought I had lost my sense of humour this morning when I saw the image of that “thing” but then I read your comment,laughed loudly, and realized that at least it was a catalyst for a mood lifter.
So glad you got my …. point!
🙂
I always wondered what my weapon of choice would be if I were an action hero. Now I’ve got it! 🙂
Yes, I can see you! Defending bookstores and libraries throughout the world!
I’ll have two kitty sidekicks. Aphrodite the Destroyer and Hazel the Terrible. 🙂
Haha, yes! Their whiskers would be blowing in the wind as they do on top of the fridge.
Clever! I was getting ready to rant about Moby Dick being a challenge but this is much more fun, I would like to see inside the book but I don’t have any of those thick industrial gloves so will wait for movie instead.
The movie is in 3-D so is quite frightening, haha!
I suspect the stories are probably fluffy romances… 😉
Fantastic! That would be so funny!
It’s kind of unfair there’s stories in there you can’t read… Maybe the book should come with a long handled reading tool, with which you could flip the pages, and have a taped-off perimeter warning you to get no closer. Or maybe have the book inside a box with special gloves, like a bio-hazard containment unit?
I like the idea of a long handled tool to turn the pages. Requiring great work to read the book.
Anything else would require tetanus shots!
A book that can’t be read seems like such a waste.
Fortunately it’s transformed into a piece of art so the frustration and disappointment for us bibliophiles is still part of the creative process.
Oh my… that gives a whole new meaning to difficult books! And yet… I’m so tempted to touch it and read it. >.>
Me too! I want to – very very lightly so as not to hurt myself- run my fingers on the cover of nails.
Great dialogue – as usual, my dear Letizia, I have found that when we are told a book is forbidden or inaccessible, we have a greater urgency to read the contents. Humanity is driven by curiosity.
Having said that, there are books that are very, very difficult to read. Once we open those pages, we will be forever changed.
It is so true. As Gallivanta also pointed out this seems to be a reflection on censorship perhaps. We are by nature curious to what is forbidden to us.
Goodness! When I read your post title Letizia, I was not expecting this! Truly incredible…never seen anything like it 🙂
A unique book, isn’t it Sherri? Another way a book can be hard to read, haha!
Wow, and I thought paper cuts were bad.
Ouch, wouldn’t want to get cut with this book!
Wow that’s taking hard to read to a whole new level – I love it! Ironically it makes me want to read it. I love it when books get 3D (or is it 4D?) Reminds me of that book Ship of Theseus, or S, have you read it?
It is a bit in keeping with the Ship of Theseus, what an interesting connection! Thanks for following – looking forward to future conversations!
Oh you’ve read it too? I thought it was beyond brilliant, wish someone else would do another book like that. It felt like being right inside the adventure
These are amazing!!! Thanks for following me on Cold 🙂
It’s a fascinating book, right? Glad we discovered each other’s blogs 🙂
Could this piece be making reference to Guy Debord’s book that was bound in sandpaper so that it would abrade anything placed next to it on a shelf?
Somehow I think Debord’s Mémoires is even more clever as it slowly effaces the book covers around it, irritates the reader’s hands and plays on the theme of memory of effacement. But both are playful metaphors and I wouldn’t be surprised if this was influenced by Debord!
Wow, I thought paper cuts were bad enough. I can only imagine the kind of damage that thing would do. What an interesting find!
The pain one must go through for the love of literature, haha! Thanks for dropping by and commenting, always appreciated!
So clever and so curious. I wonder, is that the only one in existence?
I believe the book is part of a series so I assume the artist made a few others that are similar but the others were not on display at the MoMA. It would be interesting to see them all together.
I laughed out loud! Of course I fell for the headline, thinking it was about a boring book 🙂 You got me!
Hee, hee!
Did someone mention Ulysses by james Joyce? … 🙂
Impressive… “A picture is worth a thousand words” .
Best wishes, Letizia
Aquileana 😀