visual editions

visual editions (VE) is a brilliant publisher out of the uk founded by anna gerber + britt iverson, two women who were driven to start up VE out of their love of books and their sometimes (mischievous) urge to do things differently.  in doing so, they've broadened the niche for books that tell stories not only with words on the page, but with the visual composition of the book itself.

some might make accusations that this is a gimmicky endeavor, but there's an earnest love of where literature and art intersect that shines through in the execution of each book.  i wholeheartedly don't see gimmick in the work no matter how much excitement it stirs up.

VE has two editions out and two in production.  the first book published is a stunning republication of The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by laurence sterne with an introduction by satirical novelist, will self. tristram shandy, a book originally published in seven volumes full of expository and visual diversions is now often found in one volume, text only, mass-market editions.  although i've yet to see the original seven volume edition of tristram shandy, i find VE's venture back to a more graphic retelling of the story both arresting and lively.

detail of tristram shandy

this morning, i opened a package that held a copy of VE's second edition, tree of codes by jonathan safran foer.  tree of codes is a novel written within a novel.  foer took his favorite book (the street of crocodiles by bruno schulz) and cut out words to leave behind another, wholly different story.

detail of tree of codes

i was blown away by the sheer beauty and weight of it, despite the amount of negative space each page holds.  trying to get my hands on a copy wasn't easy.  the u.s. rep for VE didn't have any copies, u.s. distributors didn't really carry it, and the copy ordered from england was lost in the mail.  after months of trying on my own, i emailed anna + britt.  although they were sold out of the first printing, they sent me a copy from their personal library.  how could you not love them?

anna + britt of VE

i can't wait to cuddle up with tree of codes, read and fall into the beauty of not only the words, but of the book itself.  VE has two more books in production slated for release this spring.  i'm sure i'm not the only one waiting in anticipation for what comes next.