TORSETER, Øyvind The Hole WilkinsFarago, 2014 unpaged $29.99 ISBN 9780987109989 SCIS 1651671
This book comes with an actual real hole about a .5cm in diameter right through the book. There is nothing imaginary about it but it is the catalyst for an amusing and quirky flight of fancy around it. A person is unpacking in his new apartment when he discovers that he shares it with a moving hole. He captures it in a box and takes it to a scientist for analysis and goes home. This simple journey provides endless opportunity to show the hole as the wheel of a car, the eye of a passer-by, a manhole, part of a traffic light – you get the idea. It is charming but does leave the impression of being a series of artistic exercises – hmm, what can we do with a hole in a page?
Whimsical and entertaining, the book maintains interest and engagement despite its low key ending. Almost wordless with minimal colour and line it will amuse the reader but I wonder how many will pick it up to reread.
reviewed by Mia Macrossan