I’m currently on a Lethem jag… Which is to say, I’ve read two new things from Lethem this year; this, and The Collapsing Frontier. I’m kind of glad I’m reading “around” Lethem before actually reading his fiction (I never have), because his brain is so interesting.

Cellophane Bricks is about the road Lethem didn’t travel (sort of); he’s the son of a visual artist, and was deeply immersed in the scene from toddlerhood. He even went to art school. But somewhere along the line, he branched off into using words as his expressive tool (maybe by convincing himself he wasn’t good enough—which, with a famous artist father, seems expected). What’s interesting is that Lethem didn’t actually leave the world of visual art at all; by his description, he’s lingered on the fringes, writing about and for the visual artworks his friends have continued to create, in addition to his other fiction writing. So, this book is a collection of his fiction about and for this visual art, and thoughts and musings relating to this journey. It’s as fascinating as Lethem’s mind must be.

I enjoyed this foray into his thoughts, and lovers of visual art and essays will too. The fact that much of this is fiction shouldn’t put you off; in Cellophane Bricks Lethem has created an intriguing crossover between visual art and literature, and a new genre somewhere between essays and fiction. It’s a wonderful read.

Many thanks to ZE Books and to NetGalley for early access.

I really enjoyed this book, even as someone who isn't very familiar with Jonathan Lethem's work and doesn't quite have the same taste in art. It's the sort of book where you can flip to any part and find something interesting and even thought-provoking. It's a beautiful collection or words and visuals. I love books that introduce me to new things and this covers so much ground as it mixes fiction and non-fiction, including personal narratives. The writings in the book are related to art, but sometimes the relation isn't directly decipherable. You'll find a lot of art in the book and you also don't need to 'know' art to enjoy the writing because the way Lethem approaches writing about art isn't just traditional art writing but rather uses it as a medium for storytelling, which I loved reading. It also does include discussions about art, which those who know art well will also appreciate.

Thank you NetGalley, ZEBooks, and Jonathan Lethem for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cellophane Bricks - A Life in Visual Culture by Jonathan Lethem is a stunning account of art in our daily lives

As an example of the quality of insight and pieces included, Oranges on Fire really caught my eye. Maybe because it was as old as I am, maybe because the imagery was so poignant, maybe because it was on a billboard in an unkempt sidewalk. However you see art, or imagery, there are always insightful perspectives to consider and either reflect upon or disagree with and one of the most enjoyable voices I have come across is Jonathan Lethem

Excuse me fangirling for a second as I was thrilled to be granted an arc of this book and I have been savouring it over the last four weeks. One of the reasons I really like Lethem, is that he writes as if he is conversing with a friend, with humility and no pretence. The choice of pieces in the book are varied across a litany of mediums and themes and this adds layer upon layer to how much you as a reader can glean from it

In the art field, there are a lot of people who will tell you how things are and that is that. Lethem will give the viewer insight into the background of the piece, maybe a couple of opinions or perspective and yet leave it open, ready for your input and reflections. (Not literally of course, but this is the joy of the book. It is not telling you this is this and that is that. It is saying, this is how they made it, this is what I know about them and this is what I think of it BUT...)

This is what makes Lethem's writing so utterly fascinating and very, very engaging. I am a huge art lover and it's always a pleasure to hear the back stories. However, hearing them from someone so immersed in and revered by the art world, who remains down to earth and looking in from all angles, is a lot more enjoyable than most contemporary art professionals

Thank you very much to Netgalley, ZE Books and Jonathan Lethem for this utterly fascinating ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own