An overview of
Tree of Codes
by Jonathan Safran Foer
2.Visual Editionsa
a.2010
Tree of Codes summarized (in two sentences or less)
In Tree of Codes, Jonathan Safran Foer takes Bruno Schulz's "The Street of Crocodiles" and literally carves out a new story by cutting words from the pages. The result is a haunting, sculptural narrative about love, loss, and the struggle for identity, all presented in a physical book that's as much a piece of art as it is a novel.
Tree of Codes Trivia and/or (Un)fun Facts
Literary Sculpture: The book was created by physically cutting out sections of text from Bruno Schulz's "The Street of Crocodiles." It's not just a book; it's a piece of art.
Printing Challenge: The book was notoriously difficult to print. Many printers turned it down before Die Keure in Belgium took on the challenge, using a special technique to achieve the cut-out effect.
Adaptations: The book has inspired various artistic adaptations, including a contemporary ballet choreographed by Wayne McGregor, with music by Jamie xx.
Why Tree of Codes Is Challenging
Foer took Bruno Schulz's The Street of Crocodiles and cut out words to create a new story.
Like, actually cut them out. With a knife.
And then found a publisher that would produce copies of that prototype and sell them to people like me.
Why Tree of Codes Is Worth Reading
Aside from its die-cut wizardry, the coolest thing has to be its intertextual dance with Bruno Schulz's The Street of Crocodiles. Foer doesn't just create a new story; he engages in a literary dialogue with Schulz, breathing new life into an existing narrative. It's like a remix that pays homage while pushing boundaries, turning the act of reading into a multi-layered experience.
Who Tree of Codes Is For
Art Lovers: If you appreciate books that are also visual art pieces, this one's a double whammy for you.
Experimental Enthusiasts: If you're into avant-garde or experimental literature, this book is like catnip.
Intertextual Explorers: If you enjoy works that engage with or reinterpret other texts, you'll love the dialogue this book has with "The Street of Crocodiles."
Deep Thinkers: If you like books that make you ponder life's big questions—identity, loss, love—this one's got layers.
Patient Puzzlers: If you enjoy piecing together fragmented narratives and appreciate a slow-burn read, this is your playground.
How to Read Tree of Codes
Visual Experience: This isn't just a book; it's a visual art piece. Take time to appreciate the physicality of it—the cut-outs, the layers, the way light interacts with the pages.
Slow and Steady: Given its unique structure, rushing through won't do you any favors. Take it slow to absorb both the words and the form.
Context Matters: Knowing a bit about Bruno Schulz's "The Street of Crocodiles" can add depth to your reading. Maybe give it a skim beforehand?
Multiple Reads: The fragmented narrative and visual elements mean you'll likely catch new things on a second or third read. Don't hesitate to revisit.
Mindset: This is more than just a story; it's an experience. Be open to letting the book affect you on an emotional and intellectual level.
Good Lighting: Seriously, the way light interacts with the cut-outs can change your reading experience. Play around with it.
Discussion Questions about Tree of Codes
Tree of Codes Research Prompts for Postdocs:
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Intertextuality and Authorship: How does "Tree of Codes" challenge traditional notions of authorship through its intertextual relationship with Bruno Schulz's "The Street of Crocodiles"?
Materiality of Text: Given its unique physical form, how does "Tree of Codes" contribute to discussions about the materiality of literature and its impact on interpretation?
Narrative Deconstruction: How does the book's fragmented structure engage with deconstructionist theories, particularly in the context of postmodern literature?
Reader Agency and Co-Creation: How does the book's die-cut format affect the reader's agency in constructing the narrative, and does this constitute a form of co-creation?
Semiotics and Visual Language: How does the visual element of the die-cut pages interact with the textual narrative, and what implications does this have for semiotic theory?
Ethics of Adaptation: What ethical considerations arise from adapting and transforming an existing work, especially one from an author like Schulz, who faced persecution and whose works were nearly lost?
Cultural and Historical Context: How does "Tree of Codes" reflect or critique the cultural and historical context of its creation, particularly in the realm of art and literature?
Metanarrative Elements: Are there instances where the book becomes self-aware of its own experimental form, and how does this affect reader engagement?
Emotional Resonance vs. Intellectual Engagement: How does the book balance emotional themes like love and loss with its intellectual and experimental elements?
Interdisciplinary Dialogues: Given its influence on other art forms like dance and music, how does "Tree of Codes" engage in interdisciplinary dialogues, and what does this say about its impact beyond literature?
Tree of Codes Conversation Starters for Normal People:
- Intertextuality: How does "Tree of Codes" engage with Bruno Schulz's "The Street of Crocodiles," and what effect does this have on your reading experience?
Physical Form: How does the book's unique die-cut design impact your understanding or interpretation of the story?
Themes and Emotions: Despite its experimental form, the book tackles heavy themes like love and loss. How does the structure enhance or detract from these emotional elements?
Reader's Role: How does the book's unique format change your role as a reader? Do you feel more active, engaged, or perhaps even disoriented?
Comparative Analysis: How does "Tree of Codes" compare to other experimental or non-linear narratives you've encountered? What sets it apart?
Questions about Tree of Codes that you can ask your dog:
- Hidden Words: In the story, some words are hidden and some are visible, making a new story. What's your favorite game of hide and seek?
Missing Someone: The story talks about missing someone you love. Who do you miss when they're not around?
Special Book: This book looks different from other books because it has holes and missing parts. What's the most special book you have?
The Most Amusing Tree of Codes Review I Can Find
Someone dead and marginally famous once said, The surest form of flattery is to take your favorite book by an author and scissor it to shreds, until the resulting carnage forms an elaborate meshing of brittle die cuts that, if carefully fingered through, convey in amputated words, phrases and punctuation, something like a prose poem. And that’s exactly what happened to Bruno Schulz’s collection of short stories, Street of Crocodiles, when pseudo-literary savant Jonathan Safran Foer—famous for his nauseating and wildly-successful novels of pop-experimentalism, Everything is Ingratiating and Extremely Cloying and Incredibly Lame—decided he wanted to make a pretty and precious vanity project out of the deceased author’s avant-garde story cycle about a merchant family.
★★☆☆☆
—Anthony Vacca via Goodreads
—Anthony Vacca via Goodreads