S. by Doug Dorst - Hardcover

Nice pictures

Well nothing much to say about this book that tiktok hasn’t covered already. I missed these books that comes with this little extra things to add to the story, and really made me feel as I was part of the history.

This may contain some spoilers of the book: just know you NEED to buy it if you are unsure. The inserts are much detailed and the notes on the edge resemble actual hand-writing, this is not a book but a literary masterpiece - regardless of its plot and/or style of the author, which one may or may not like. When I discovered this book I wasn't sure I was going to buy it because of its price, but then I just HAD to order it: I refused to settle for the e-book, for this is a book you need to have in your own hands. It requires a lot of concentration, because it has you connecting one story to another: while reading a sentence you are asked to stop and read the notes to it, then the notes to the notes, and then the related inserts, and so on. But it's totally worth it. At first I bought without even reading the plot: its format was unique and that was enough for me, but the more I read the more I loved it too. I liked how the book challenged me into understanding it, giving me hints, helpers, tools to solve the mystery it is. It's like you read Ship of Theseus and only once you've completed and understood it all - and the word around its author, you can say to have read S.

I sought out this book after learning that JJ Abrams was not only the creator of lost and EP of the latest Star Wars film, but also an author. Ok...so he's not exactly the author, but he is a critical and named part of the duo who conceived of and brought this marvel of a book to the masses. What's so great about it? Well, I'm only into the second chapter and am having a wonderful time. As a long, long, LONG time owner of a Kindle (2008), I have very limited contact with "BOOK" books anymore. This is the perfect antidote to the digital page and an ultimate reward for doing so. I remember falling in love with the "Griffin and Sabine" format 20 years ago, in which a story was meted out via simulated correspondence between the two lovers. The cool letters and pieces of paper were so tactile, so satisfying! So like snooping through old forgotten desk drawers and uncovering a hidden compartment. I also grew up under crystal clear governance about how to care for and respect a book: never write in it (except on the cover page to indicate ownership), never dog-ear the pages, don't get food smears on the pages, keep it out of the bath, etc.. So as a University student, I was even hesitant to highlight my textbooks or annotate in the margins. Now as an adult, I am thrilled to the core to hold this masterful, magical transport vehicle in my hands and struggle to read between the lines, to match the story that is happening in the margins with the story on the typeset page, to follow the mystery as it unfolds. Other reviewers have left tips within their reviews on how best to read and enjoy this creation. I will say that they are right and that I am following their advice. The wonderful, life-like clues and support resources that are folded within the pages of the books spill out (as such things do) and it's very convenient to devise a method to remove them while reading AND keep track of them in order. One reviewer suggested using page-numbered post-it notes to do so. I took that idea and am using post-it flags: remove item, affix numbered flag, add coloured flag to page in book, place item aside. Now I'm alerted by a flag while reading to unpack my stack of references and find the corresponding item. I then move the flag from the top of the book page to the side and know that I've passed it by. I have one clipped stack of used references and one of those I've yet to need. Another tip is to read the book in chunks, at first pass without trying to follow the footnotes and the annotations/references, then going back and reading the annotations. I agree with this and it has worked fantastically for me. I'm going chapter by chapter. SO. MUCH. FUN. I'm astonished at the creativity and intention that went into designing the book itself. From the library stamps on the cover and end leaves to the actual SMELL of the thing, it's a prop worthy of movies, films, and libraries. I love leaving it open on my bed or chair and seeing it there. It looks so loved, so intellectual, so old school. The clue/resources are varied and thoughtful. There is even a coffee /tea stain on a corner of one of the letters. If I were Abrams and Dorst, I would have cried tears of satisfaction and joy at seeing the first editions come off the presses. I may exaggerate, but it must be like the classical art forger (restorer?) who recreates a masterpiece down to the last authentic detail. Gift givers looking for something unusual and delightful to give book lovers and dedicated readers need look no further. I'm sure that with express shipping, you can still get this mind-blower of a present before Christmas. It's also available in a number of languages!

I haven't finished reading this book yet but wow what an amazing piece of art this is. It's so interactive and revolutionary. This novel has 3 stories within it (a story about the made up author who wrote the book, the actual story in the book, and a story about 2 people who communicate via writing inside of the book's margins). There are lots of "props" in the book like news paper articles, photographs, cards TONS! It's really super neat. Definitely recommend anyone picks this up. You will not regret it. I just wish there were more books like it out there as I am now addicted to these interactive novels lol.

Je ne vais pas critiquer le livre pour son contenu littéraire. Chacun peut se faire une idée en le lisant et personne n'a les mêmes appétences. La lecture est très différente (plus difficile?) d'un livre plus classique. Si vous commencer à lire les annotations et les cartes postales, coupures, etc... Vous cerrez que ça prend beaucoup de temps 😁 En revanche, l'objet qu'est ce livre le rends unique. Il y a plein de petites choses dans le livre, des annotations, des commentaires utiles ou pas. J'aime bien le feuilleter et voir des coupures de presse ou des lettres tomber d'entre ses pages. C'est un livre qui ne peut être apprécié que sous sa forme physique.