Book description
"Wordless books" were stories from the early part of the twentieth century told in black and white woodcuts, imaginatively authored without any text. Although woodcut novels have their roots spreading back through the history of graphic arts, including block books and playing cards, it was not until the early part…
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Why read it?
2 authors picked Wordless Books as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
David Beronä was a friend and fellow collector whose interest in this form of graphic storytelling was our shared passion. In his book Beronä examines the history of and art of pioneers of this form of narrative. The works of Frans Masereel, Lynd Ward, Otto Nückel, William Gropper, Milt Gross, Giacomo Patri Laurence Hyde, and lesser known artists like Helena Bochořáková-Dittrichová and István Szegedi Szüts. The woodcut images in these works are powerful and as relevant today as they were when they were first produced.
From George's list on The best woodcut graphic novels.
Faced with a limit of five recommendations, I’m cheating. Wordless Books covers the innovative output of the major woodcut novels and wordless books that were published from 1918 to 1951. It includes works by Frans Masereel, Lynd Ward, Milt Gross, and so many others. If you have never seen these uniquely artistic works, this volume offers a compelling introduction to the first graphic novels ever published.
From Lee's list on The best wordless books.
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