The Road Is Wider than Long

by Roland Penrose

In 1938, as Europe prepared for war, Roland Penrose and Lee Miller made a journey through the Balkans. Penrose was a painter and a writer; Miller had been a studio assistant to Man Ray, was a muse to several artists, and was a brilliant photographer. As they traveled, Penrose made pictures and took notes. On their return, Penrose produced a handmade book for Miller, drawn from his photographs and notes. A limited edition book was later printed, and Penrose embellished a small number of the books in that edition with a series of fanciful drawings. One of these he personalized for Miller. This special facsimile edition of The Road Is Wider Than Long re-creates the graphic artistry of Miller's own cherished copy. It also provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of two artists and their journey of discovery in a world that would soon be transformed forever. Altogether, this volume occupies an important place in the history of Surrealist literature and, indeed, in the artistic heritage of Europe during the last century.

Genres: Poetry, Art

56 pages, Hardcover

First published March 20, 2003

About the author

Sir Roland Algernon Penrose CBE (14 October 1900 – 23 April 1984) was an English artist, historian and poet.

He was a major promoter and collector of modern art and an associate of the surrealists in the United Kingdom. During the Second World War he put his artistic skills to practical use as a teacher of camouflage.

Penrose married the poet Valentine Boué and then the photographer Lee Miller. He is the uncle of the physicist and polymath Roger Penrose, and the chess grandmaster, Jonathan Penrose.

Reviews

[John Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book--O Connor is in it

[Slinkysnake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Labelled as surreal but to me this would be better served by describing it as a proto poetic travel journal. The stylistic form of this book is a feature just as much as the pictures or words. The kind of book to make me exceedingly grateful I live in the modern era with comfortable access to resources away from the scourge of poverty and the insidious weight of tradition

[Colby · Rating 4 out of 5]

the road is wider than long
trees are thicker than tall
wells reach to the clouds
their blood is more solid than their bones.

[Nicholas Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lost world beautifully photographed. A work of art you can hold in your hands.

[Magpie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saffron bookclub 2023 ✅ .. 1938 memoir two artists, Lee and Penrose exploring the Balkans .. poetry, reminiscing, artwork, gift.
Loving and lovely memoir