Sleep of Reason [Trade Paperback]

The satiric images of Los Caprichos by the immortal Goya are as relevant now as they were when first published in 1799, as Swanwick's accompanying stories poignantly demonstrate. Grotesque, mordant, and darkly hilarious by turn, these etchings laid bare the folly and absurdity of the human condition during an era of war and extreme cruelty much like our own. It is a monstrous and possibly even blasphemous work of hubris for a contemporary writer to collaborate with an artist recognized as "the last of the Old Masters and the first of the moderns" two centuries after his death rendered him unable to give consent to the project. Yet, Swanwick is more than up to the task, crafting stories that seamlessly complement Goya's visionary artwork.

Read this book and discover for yourself the shared satirical worlds of these two masters. Goya's etchings, long deserving of such fictive treatment, now find their perfect match in Swanwick's imaginative narratives. Grotesque imagery and darkly hilarious episodes stand alongside moments of profound moral insight, inviting the reader to reflect on the follies and cruelties that have plagued humanity across the ages.

In an era not unlike our own, Goya's biting social commentary has lost none of its power or relevance. Swanwick's stories, woven deftly around these immortal etchings, breathe new life into Goya's artistic vision. Together, they offer a searing indictment of the human condition, tempered by flashes of dark humor and moments of unexpected tenderness.

This collaborative work is indeed monstrous in its ambition, but Swanwick rises to the challenge with skill and artistry. The resulting book is a triumph, a masterful synthesis of literary and visual storytelling that demands the reader's attention and contemplation. Goya's genius finds a worthy interpreter in Swanwick, who honors the artist's legacy while infusing it with contemporary resonance. Prepare to be both disturbed and enthralled by this unique and powerful work.

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