Ex Libris

Ex Libris is a comic book that explores the boundaries between fiction and reality, sanity and madness, and the meta-fictional tradition of writers like Jorge Luis Borges, Julio Cortázar, Vladimir Nabokov, and Italo Calvino. It is written by Matt Madden and published by Drawn and Quarterly.

Format: Hardback
Length: 120 pages
Publication date: 09 December 2021
Publisher: Uncivilized Books

Ex Libris is a captivating tale that revolves around a character who finds themselves confined to a room, adorned with only a futon and a bookcase brimming with an array of comics. As they delve into the captivating covers, delve into the captivating narratives, and even glimpse fragments of stories, a peculiar suspicion begins to stir within them: the comics hold secret messages and an impending threat. The boundaries between fiction and reality begin to blur, and the lines between sanity and madness intertwine, leaving the reader utterly convinced that the key to their predicament lies hidden within the intricate pages of the peculiar books.

With an array of inventive visual and narrative styles, Ex Libris continues the line of exploration and play that Madden initiated with his earlier work, 99 Ways to Tell a Story: Exercises in Style. This literary masterpiece pays homage to the meta-fictional tradition of renowned writers such as Jorge Luis Borges, Julio Cortázar, Vladimir Nabokov, and Italo Calvino. It is worth noting that the novel If on a Winter's Night a Traveler, by Calvino, served as the inspiration for Ex Libris.

MATT MADDEN, the visionary behind this captivating tale, is a multifaceted artist. He wears the hats of a cartoonist, teacher, and translator, and his most renowned work is undoubtedly 99 Ways to Tell a Story: Exercises in Style, a captivating comics adaptation of Raymond Queneau's Exercises in Style. His recent endeavors include the comic books Drawn Onward and Bridge, which further showcase his artistic prowess. Since relocating to Philadelphia in 2016, Madden has continued to create and inspire with his unique storytelling style.

Ex Libris is a testament to Madden's exceptional talent and his unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of literature. It invites readers on a mesmerizing journey into the realm of meta-fiction, where reality and imagination intertwine, and where the key to unlocking the mysteries of the universe may be found within the pages of a seemingly ordinary book. Prepare to be transported to a world where fiction and reality converge, and where the line between sanity and madness blurs, as you delve into the captivating world of Ex Libris.

Weight: 738g
Dimension: 286 x 356 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781941250440