Karen Green: Frail Sister

Absolutely incredible. The back cover is compelling but the actual experience is singular. You find yourself twisting and turning the book around, looking at these fictional found objects that don’t feel fictional one bit. What a way to experience a story!Within world war memorabilia and postage and photographs is the story of woman that begins as troubles and becomes only more so. In the telling the story becomes about war, and loss and grief; the patriarchy and privilege, and a whole lot more.I find it hard to relate because I’ve had no experience like it. The previous book, Bough Down, comes close, but this has much more of a narrative and that featured art, rather than the found objects + art piece + typography + prose combo here.

Although this is a work of fiction, it's a projection of the life of the author/artist's aunt. The book contains many beautiful photos (of which the majority are in sepia), many letters and some drawings.

I couldn’t see well enough at the time to read this.

The collages in this book are amazingly detailed and textured, and the story it tells in typed text is kind of the opposite: a lot is left out. What remains is shocking and full of hardship. It's a gorgeous book, but it's fraught with midcentury tragedy. Green is a one-of-a-kind artist. Very highly recommended.

Amazing. A truly beautiful blend of poetry and art.