Reading the graphic surface of Mark Z. Danielewski's The Fifty Year Sword

White, Glyn

Abstract

Mark Z. Danielewski’s The Fifty Year Sword is , described on the author’s website as ‘an illustrated short story,’ but it is entirely in keeping with major works (House of Leaves, Only Revolutions) in the way that it thoroughly problematises its narration. As with Danielewski’s novels the narrators are distinguished by striking typographic devices and page design, in this case, as the dust jacket puts it, by the author ‘mischievously playing with layout [and] colour’. The essay proceeds to read the text and its presentation as integrally linked.

• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2011
• Deposit Date: Nov 7, 2011
• Publisher: Manchester University Press
• Pages: 105-120
• Book Title: Mark Z. Danielewski
• ISBN: 978-07190-8262-7
• Publisher URL: http://www.manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/catalogue/book.asp?id=1204876