The Red Book - First Impressions


droolworthy and then some

I received my copy of Jung's The Red Book.

This is an absolutely gorgeous book. It grabs you in a way that very few books today can.

Open it and you'll find two parts, clearly delineated by paper types. The first is a facsimile of Jung's careful journal and art detailing his sixteen year personal journey. The second part is an English translation and annotation. Obviously I am reading the second, turning carefully back to fondle the first.

Yes, fondle. There's something very sensual about a book this well made, and it brings out some of the desires I usually don't voice.

I'm going to have to learn German just to appreciate Jung in his own language.

It's a joy to read and think about. The bibliophile in me drools every time I read this book. It's going to take me years of study to appreciate what Jung went through and what he brought back.

That's one thing you really need to know. This is a bibliophile's book, produced to careful standards and designed to touch the heart and mind. That leads to the one drawback.

This is a really big-ass book.

It really is 18 inches high by 12 inches and something wide. It weighs ten pounds. This is not a book for casual reading. You can't really hold it and read it, especially if you don't read German. You have to put it on the table. I'm beginning to think that this is a book that deserves it's own book stand. It's not really a book that goes on the shelf.

You know, I've never had a book like that before.

Have I learned anything from it?

I'll let you know in seven years…

Posted: Tue - November 24, 2009 at 01:23 PM
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