A Book of Surrealist Games (Paperback)

~ (Author), (Author)
Key Phrases: exquisite corpse

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Surrealism is far more than some dead art movement: it is also a collection of tools for perceiving and representing the world in ways that transcend normative perspectives. This delightful little book is packed with word and image games that surrealists developed to create their written and graphical art. If you have any spark of creativity, you are strongly encouraged to get this book to help loosen the holds of quotidian existence on your craft. And it makes a great book of activities for parties that you want to rise above petite bourgeois posturing. Highly Recommended.

Review

. . . Surrealist play is more like a kind of provocative magic, that it breaks the thread of discursive thought, and, above all, helps to confirm the primary Surrealist believe in what they called objective chance or the certainty of hazard. These games will prove to you . . . : Surrealism too can be made by all. -- Times Literary Supplement

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala (July 4, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570620849
• ISBN-13: 978-1570620843
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 4.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #46,840 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #2 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Schools, Periods & Styles > Surrealism
  #42 in	Books > Entertainment > Puzzles & Games > Board Games

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Starting Point, March 26, 2000

By A Customer

Whether your goal is surrealist literature, surrealist art, or just entertainment, this book is a great buy. Lots of games (some literary, some artistic), information about the surrealist movement itself and some of the key players, and a good bibliography for future reading.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars neat lil' book., December 14, 1999

By	Char (Somerville, MA) - See all my reviews

Being an admirer and wanna-be creator of DaDa, I found this book amusing. The games were interesting and bizarre, there were lots of pictures, and a lot of artists were included. They are fun to read about and see the examples even if you have no intention of really trying them. "The Exquisite Corpse" and "Directions for Use" were 2 of the better ones, and they have examples by the original surrealists. The only problem I had with the book was that some of the directions were a little vague. For instance, the picture on page 71 is a double image, but it could have given some clue about how to actually find it - it became frustrating. The games are so unusual compared to what we normally think of as games that more detailed directions are essential. For instance, there are not obvious "winners" and "losers" in them, they are played for the sake of toying with reality and using imagination to create the unexpected. It's a fun book that's small enough to take with you all the time.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Delightful & thought-provoking, January 7, 2009

By	William Timothy Lukeman - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

Here's a slyly deceptive little volume, a perfect introduction to the Surrealist mindset. Why "deceptive," though? Because while all the games are fascinating & sometimes startling fun, the ideas they embody just might take hold of you ... which is all to the good, of course!

If you want to know more about Surrealism, but just want to dip your toes into those mysterious waters at first, this is as good a starting place as any you'll find. The ideas of surprising juxtapositions, unexpected connections, and the sense of freedom & revelation through absurdity & chance, are all demonstrated here. And if you enjoy this first taste, then you'll almost certainly want more ...

Recommended as both an unusual diversion & a window into another world!