I love maps and atlases. And I love obscure corners of the planet. This book combines both. Much of it is probably about islands you’ve never heard of, and places the vast majority of us will never visit—not even professional travel writers. But that’s one of the best things about this book: its mystery. It brings a sense of discovery back to a world that seems to contain so few untravelled places.The maps are beautifully drawn. The paper is heavy. And the prose poem stories that accompany each island are fascinating and sometimes otherworldly. This is a book for dreaming.“There is no more poetic book than an atlas,” Schalansky writes. And I’d have to agree. I found this book in an Asheville bookshop and fell in love with the idea--beautiful maps of 50 remote islands that most people will never visit--and the book itself, with its ocean blue cover, orange fore-edge, and two whole pages devoted to each tiny island. When I took the book home, I realized that the text is just as astounding. Schalansky complements her lovingly-drawn maps with gorgeous text. Her short narratives about each island are haunting, mysterious, captivating... everything you could want from an armchair travel book. Atlas of Remote Islands has become one of my favorite books and has a place of pride on my shelf. You can pick it up for 2 minutes and be transported.
What do You think about Atlas Of Remote Islands (2009)?
Really well developed and interesting discussion of many tiny islands, mostly uninhabitable.
—ocemeilovebooks
Creepy and elegant and twists the heart round its spine.
—toolface
Loved the format of this book- fantastic idea!
—Eyez
