Customer Reviews

A Book of Surrealist Games

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4 star:		(4)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

Tie tie tie tie tie tie tie tie tie tired of boring writing? Purchase "A BOOK OF SURREALIST GAMES" and watch as your pathetic perception of the written word withers and dies at your bedside. This book not only was the inspiration for my first four tattoos, but also pushed me to become a writer, mathematician, ice cream vendor, artist, nudist, racist, chemist, and various other "ISTS." Spark only of the son of the morning when he's filled with mirror slice, robust blubber batter! Am always dark sheets matted seven? DAYTIME allows it to be so! Tomorrow is the daytime of our cereal porcelain, glance at the springs. Perfect gift for Christmas or the Day of Seven Tortoises. 3311`088eE332.

Great games for creative people. Wonderful ideas for more sophisticated parties. Good stuff!

A great reference addition to the art library. Not just the games that the surrealist played, but their answers and responses as well. True gem for any surrealist enthustiast.

This was supposedly the inspiration behind Eno's card decks, and is a very useful tool in its own right. While I don't think you'd necessarily want to do the 'spiritualist' slanted activities that it outlines, if you're able to read between the lines and extrapolate to your own creative activities you'll find a lot of useful inspiration.

I expected something less sloppily put together on surrealist games, a fascinating and rich topic. This little book contains a few classic surrealist little gems, but it is a rather unconvicing as a whole, too much of a hodge-podge that lacks structure, design and sparks. Or maybe it is surrealist games that have become a bit tiresome. Or maybe playing is more fun than reading about other people's games.

This book is my idea of fun! It's full of games for people who love to be creative, collaborative, extemporaneous! I'd like to know you if you are into these games. Judy (vegwriter@aol.com