EXPLORE THE ISSUE 

Esopus 23 opens with "On The Value of Literature,"  a remarkable 10,000-word essay by accalimed Norwegian novelist Karl Ove Knausgaard (My Struggle) in the form of a 16-page removable booklet. We cover all the angles of artist Mickalene Thomas's richly detailed multi-page collage incorporating die-cuts, embossing, specialty varnishes, and a perforated removable insert, and speak to Hinterland Studio’s Raphael van Lierop about the years-long creative process behind the award-winning survivalist video game The Long Dark. Blade Runner screenwriter Hampton Fancher prepares film treatments inspired by Esopus subscriber submissions, and father-and-daughter duo George and Fiamma Cochrane (with help from artist Richard Nonas and author William Sutton) share their graphic novel "Lost in Music".

The issue closes with an audio CD including tracks inspired by “close call” experiences by Kristin Andreassen, The Big Bright, Gabriel Birnbaum, Dollshot, Colin Gilmore, The Kickstand Band, Anthony LaMarca, Jo Lawry, Lemolo, Darren Solomon, Trees Take Ease, Grant Widmer, and YC the Cynic.

254 pages, offset-printed and perfect bound. Printed in Canada. Published May 2016.

COVER PHOTOGRAPH: ©Estate of David Gahr