The Codex Seraphinianus
The unofficial Codex Seraphinianus website:
This web site is dedicated to giving information (what little there is) on the weirdest book in the world, the Codex Seraphinanus. The Codex is a collection of original artwork by Italian artist Luigi Serafini, presented as a travalogue or scientific study of an alien world. Unlike such alien worlds as Darwin IV in Barlowe's Expedition, which one might find in a science fiction novel, the world in the Codex is obviously some kind of perverse reflection of our own. All of the Codex is presented entirely in an obscure alien writing. This writing, in combination with the bizarre pictures, is what finally puts the Codex in its own league for weirdness. For instance, on one page is a "Rosetta Stone" — only it just translates Codex script into another alien language. A lecturer presenting the "Stone" is nonchalantly stabbing a red blob inside of it while he points out aspects of the script. The whole effect is unimaginable, even after several "readings", and I intend to stop failing to describe it now.
Likewise, I shan't try to describe it. Go to the site; see the images.
At the moment Ebay has an original Italian edition with a minimum bid of $500, and no bids yet. Hey, everyone, my birthday's coming up.
But the best news is... it's back in print in Europe! In French and Spanish editions, but with this book, the nominal language doesn't matter unless you're really attached to reading the indicia. For just 200 Euros it can be yours! And, likely, will be mine.
I used to want a copy of the Codex but now I'd be happier with a replica of this instead:
http://www.crystalinks.com/voynich.html
Posted by Kate on September 18 2002 14:37
No, you wouldn't. I'm a student at Yale (studying book history) and I wrote an extensive research paper on the Voynich Manuscript which is here at the Beinecke library. I examined it, and trust me it's not that fascinating or interesting in person. It's almost all drawings of plants -- I was rather bored and disappointed when I finally looked through it. On the other hand, I did recently acquire a copy of the Codex Seraphinianus, and it is even more wonderful and fascinating in person, not to mention that it is an absolutely luxurious volume (lavish binding, handmade paper).
Posted by Anonymous on January 18 2003 10:02
My parents have a copy of Codex, I used to stare at the illustrations and try to figure out what they meant and what they were trying to portray. I still stare.
Posted by Maus on February 14 2006 18:06