Some of my favorite childhood reading experiences are from reading picture books. I'm talking about illustrated books with high production value, like amazing cover art, great design, and of course many beautiful pictures.
As an adult, it is quite rare that the books I read have good quality pictures. Most have no pictures at all. Apparently those things are childish and not needed for serious literature. And I'm not saying I want to read books that are two sentences per page followed by a huge drawing, but I do appreciate more illustrations.
I once found in a library, many years ago, a book written by Charles Dickens (sadly it escapes me which) that right away took my breath away. It was not written in English but the drawings were fantastic. I so wished the book was in English or that I could buy it but I do remember that when I wanted to check it out again (after I borrowed it once or twice), the book had gone missing. Later it was recovered they told me but was badly damaged and no longer appeared on the shelves.
Today, when someone was telling me that you can find spirituality even in books that may have nothing to do with spirituality and then mentioned Dickens, that memory suddenly came back to me. Perhaps you think I'm being sentimental and maybe that's part of it, but I still think it would be a good idea to produce more beautifully illustrated books for adults. And that includes classics and other serious fiction. Surely not pictures every other page (and really depends on the book itself) but combining art and literature can add value and make the reading experience more enjoyable.
Or so I think.
by fink_barton
8 Comments
This really resonates! I used to work in a charity bookshop and always loved it when we got donations of kids books because they’re just so beautiful to look at. I guess graphic novels are the closest we get as adults.
Check out folio society!
I tell you some amazing adult books that have pictures. Try Walter Moers books. He’s a writer and illustrator. They are magic
I agree! I have versions of all the Dark Tower series books by Stephen King. But I am buying them all again to specifically get the versions with illustrations in them.
I love illustrations in a book. The primary publisher of a (pretty niche) genre I enjoy includes illustrations in every book, maybe 6-10 pictures total and it delights me so much! It’s like a little treat. And honestly, it also makes me want to buy physical copies of those books over ebooks, so it’s a good business decision too.
A publisher in my country has a “Classics Illustrated” and I love that collection. It’s the original book but with an illustration at the end of every chapter. I’ve been reading The Phantom of the Opera and the pictures are amazing. Really wish more books had them.
I wish the old children’s encyclopedias were updated for adults. Loved my old encyclopedias, had a new one every Christmas.
Try National Geographic type periodicals