The War Between the Water and the Road (2014 Winter Book)
The twenty-fourth in MCBA’s Winter Book series celebrating the handmade book, The War Between the Water and the Road is a modern parable regarding justice through the eyes of a young boy, full of cautionary tales, humor, and elements of fantasy.
Author William Alexander studied theater and folklore at Oberlin College and English at the University of Vermont. He currently lives, writes, and teaches in Minneapolis. His short stories have been published in numerous magazines and anthologies; his debut novel, Goblin Secrets, received the 2012 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature.
Under the direction of MCBA Executive Director Jeff Rathermel, two editions were produced: Standard and Deluxe. Master printer Todd Thyberg directed letterpress printing and was assisted by Monica Edwards Larson, Marvel Gregoire, Regula Russelle, Annie Walsh, and Jason Yoh.
Both editions include color reductive linoleum prints based on the digital illustrations of Amanda Ritchie, carved and printed by Richard Stephens with the assistance of Andre Heuer, Hans Koch, CB Sherlock, Ioana Stoian and Amoreena Tarvas. Chan Chau and Emily Goldsmith contributed additional illustrations.
Standard Edition
The Standard Edition (75 numbered copies), printed on Mohawk Superfine, was sewn by MCBA volunteers. Book blocks were cased by Campbell-Logan Bindery. Covers of charcoal buckram include an inset of marbled paper.
Deluxe Edition
The Deluxe Edition (26 lettered copies) is printed on Zerkall Frankfurt and bound by master binder Jana Pullman. The half binding of blue and gray goatskin leather includes hand marbled paper by Sue Bjerke, Sally Power, and Jana Pullman. Copies are signed by the author, master printer, and master binder.
The Deluxe Edition includes a limited edition print signed by illustrator Emily Goldsmith, and a softcover coloring book housed in a cotton cloth satchel. The coloring book’s cover was designed by Tom Spence and digitally printed by Bolger Vision Beyond Print. Illustrations in the coloring book are by Chan Chau, Emily Goldsmith, and Amanda Ritchie. Images were letterpress printed on silver gray Hahnemule Ingres paper.
All components of the Deluxe Edition are presented in a clamshell box covered in blue and gray Cialux book cloth and lined with blue Bugra paper. Box construction and binding assistance was provided by Sue Bjerke and Sally Power.
Since 1988, Winter Book has engaged artists, designers, papermakers, printers, bookbinders and community volunteers in producing a handmade, limited edition artist’s book featuring poetry or prose by a Minnesota author or editor. The artistry and hand craftsmanship of each Winter Book makes it an avidly collected series, included in museum and rare book library collections across the country and around the world.
Winter Books of the past have featured such treasured Minnesota writers as Robert Bly, Louise Erdrich, Kevin Kling, Bill Holm, Louis Jenkins, Carol Bly, Larry Millett, Patricia Hampl, Judith Guest, Jon Hassler, and Bryan Thao Worra, among many others.
