Clayton Schanilec
Autor/a de The intruder
Obres de Clayton Schanilec
The intruder 3 exemplars
Etiquetat
Coneixement comú
Encara no hi ha coneixement comú d'aquest autor. Pots ajudar.
Membres
Ressenyes
Estadístiques
- Obres
- 1
- Membres
- 3
- Popularitat
- #1,791,150
- Ressenyes
- 1
Personal anecdote aside, this is a beautiful little book containing a short story written by Gaylord’s brother Clayton. As the printer states in the prospectus, “My brother Clayton and I have been fishing together all of our lives: most always amiably, and always with an edge of brotherly competitiveness.” I’m not a fisherman but I can appreciate the beauty of a secret spot that seems like it should be yours if you are there first. As well as some brotherly competition. In the wild there is a greater amount of space that feels wrong to invade without an invitation or an query. And it’s much bigger than in the city or in your town coffee shop or bar. With fishing it seems especially true if you are so close that you will effect the chances of others.
This is the story of a fisherman named Blake, possibly an alter ego to Clayton. He seems to have some unspecified problems in his life and marriage that fishing helps with, in more ways than just putting food on the table. He also seems to have some strong opinions of how to fish and when it is right and wrong to take a fish. In the beginning of the story, he releases a fish he has caught because it doesn’t feel right; even though that means leftovers for dinner again and some disappointed family members. Then, a stranger, an intruder, shows up and fishes too close to him in his favorite spot. He’s not even a fly fisher but is a bait caster, another strike against him that causes Blake outrage. A feeling of competition causes Blake to come even earlier to the pool the next day. And, with a feeling of irresponsibly and cold silence from his wife, a third day as well. But this is fishing, and the fish don’t necessarily reward you just for perseverance. And he’ll always wonder where the intruder is, and suspect the stranger’s luck is better. I suspect that is a feeling most people who fish can relate to.
This book is the fifth of nine books printed in Midnight Paper Sales’ “Little Book” series from 1997 to 2010. I couldn’t find much information on the series but the books look like they would be worth seeking out if this one is any indication. The cover papers are striking: looking like the night sky above the trees as the last light fades from the sky. Or maybe the moon is getting ready to rise behind there somewhere. I was intrigued to read in the prospectus that the image was printed on black paper. A two color split-fountain technique was used to get the effect of the sky turning more indigo as you look further above the trees. The fold-out main illustration was done in four colors and features his brother fishing his favorite pool and, in Shanilec’s words, “mercifully fully clothed.” That detail, while certainly a brotherly jibe, makes more sense once one has read the story.
I saw that Gaylord will have a table at the upcoming CODEX 2019, so I hope check out more from him. I’ll also be on the lookout for more of the Little Books, especially ones that my friend had a hand in. I know there is an Edwidge Dandicot title, maybe Plunging, that she worked on.
AVAILABILITY: Published in 2004 and printed in an edition limited to 120 numbered and signed copies, of which 26 special copies were specially bound with an extra portfolio of materials. The book reviewed above is the regular edition. The book can occasionally be found on the second hand market. As of this writing, Oak Knoll books has both the regular and special edition available.
For the complete book review, including photos, visit my blog The Whole Book Experience at http://www.thewholebookexperience.com/… (més)