A Humument by Tom Phillips
I became aware of this unique work thanks to Jeff Noon?s list of book picks:
A favourite, and a big influence, especially on Cobralingus. Phillips is a visual artist. Here, he's treated an obscure Victorian novel called A Human Document. He's painted over every single page, with a different design on every page, but leaving words showing through here and there. All that's left of the first page is this: "The following sing I, a book, a book of art, of mind and art. That which he hid, reveal I." These words tell a fragmented story, and the page designs comment on this. A box of treasures, with many secret compartments.
The Author?s Preface to the snug volume makes me feel all cozy:
Hoping that the reader would want to meet the book head on I have put the introduction at the end.
