The exhibit titled “Imaginary Books: Lost, Unfinished, and Fictive Works Found Only in Other Books” at the Grolier Club is a testament to the creativity and imagination of its creators. Curated by Reid Byers, a renowned author and bibliophile, the exhibit showcases a collection of books that exist only in the realm of fiction or in the minds of their creators.
The term “sublunary” is used to describe these books, meaning they are related to the world or life on earth, as opposed to the spiritual world. These books are created by a team of artists, printers, bookbinders, and calligraphers, and they blur the lines between reality and fantasy. One such example is Sylvia Plath’s “Double Exposure,” a novel that was never completed due to the tragic circumstances surrounding the author’s life. In this exhibit, a recreated version of the book offers a glimpse into an alternate reality where Plath’s work was not lost to history.
Other books in the exhibit are purely fictional, existing only within the pages of other works of fiction. For example, “The Garden of Forking Paths,” mentioned in a Jorge Luis Borges collection, is brought to life in this exhibit as a work of art that challenges the concept of worldbuilding in literature.
The intricate mirage of possibilities created by these imaginary books is a reflection of the literary prowess of some of the greatest minds in history. Each book tells a unique story and offers a glimpse into a world that exists only in the imagination of its creators.
“Imaginary Books: Lost, Unfinished, and Fictive Works Found Only in Other Books” is a thought-provoking exhibit that challenges our perceptions of reality and fiction. It will be on display at the Grolier Club until February 15th, curated by the talented Reid Byers. Visit the exhibit to experience the magic of these imaginary books firsthand.
