A hilarious debut novel that could only be described as a portrait of the designer as a young man. 'Show me something I've never seen before and will never be able to forget - if you can do that, you can do anything.' It's 1957, long before computers have replaced the trained eye and skilful hand. Our narrator at State University is determined to major in Art, and after several risible false starts, he accidentally ends up in a new class: 'Introduction to Graphic Design'. His teacher is the enigmatic Winter Sorbeck, equal parts genius, seducer and sadist. Sorbeck is a bitter yet fascinating man whose assignments hurl his charges through a gauntlet of humiliation and heartache, shame and triumph, ego-bashing and enlightenment. Along the way, friendships are made and undone, jealousies simmer, and the sexual tango weaves and dips. By the end of their 'Introduction to Graphic Design', Sorbeck's students will never see the world in the same way again. And, with Chip Kidd's insights into the secrets of graphic design, neither will you.
The Cheese Monkeys
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'A clever, funny and engrossing book that looks great too' -- Big Issue
'An exceptional debut' -- Scotland on Sunday
'The Cheese Monkeys has suspense, vivid characters, a pitch-perfect recreation of late 50s behaviour and an effortlessly sustained comic charm throughout' -- Bret Easton Ellis
'This is a brilliantly entertaining debut - intelligent, pitch-perfect and enlightening' -- The Times
'Wise, funny and ragingly shrewd ... The world's greatest book-jacket designer finds a second, spellbinding artistic voice' -- James Ellroy --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
'An exceptional debut' -- Scotland on Sunday
'The Cheese Monkeys has suspense, vivid characters, a pitch-perfect recreation of late 50s behaviour and an effortlessly sustained comic charm throughout' -- Bret Easton Ellis
'This is a brilliantly entertaining debut - intelligent, pitch-perfect and enlightening' -- The Times
'Wise, funny and ragingly shrewd ... The world's greatest book-jacket designer finds a second, spellbinding artistic voice' -- James Ellroy --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Chip Kidd, the associate art director of jackets and special projects at Knopf Publishing, has long been recognised as a leading pioneer in book-cover art. The recipient of numerous graphic design honours and awards, he lives in New York. This is his first novel.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Though Chip Kidd is best known as a "graphic designer" for book covers (as opposed to "commercial artist," a distinction he makes in the book), his talent as a writer could propel him into a whole new field--and this book into cult icon status. With a clarity of vision perhaps brought on by hindsight, he lays bare the emotional and intellectual confusion of a naïve, first year art student at a state university, a character who must find himself in an atmosphere which requires him to evaluate all the ideas and values he's uncritically absorbed to date. The character, who feels autobiographical, is lively, funny, and, I thought, totally believable, and I suspect that any reader who has ever taken an art course will empathize, if not identify, with him in some way.
As the speaker lives through this "novel in two semesters," he is profoundly affected by an off-the-wall female upperclassman, Himillsy Dodd, a free-spirited, hard-drinking woman of strong opinions, willing to challenge everyone and everything. Opposing hypocrisy wherever she finds it (virtually everywhere), Himillsy serves as a quirky mentor during the speaker's first two art classes, the second of which is with Winter Sorbeck, a never-to-be-forgotten instructor who turns his students' thinking inside-out, viciously critiquing not only of their work but also their personalities. As "Happy" deals with Sorbeck, Himillsy, the usual freshman tensions, fraternity parties, exams, critiques, and all-nighters, the reader shares his anxieties and feels his growth.
The amusing cover of the book resembles a doodled-on freshman text, with a magic marker message written on the binding and side of the closed book, bleeding into the pages themselves. The title, taken from one of Himillsy's sculptures, is as goofy as she is, though its meaning becomes clearer as the book progresses. The ending is a letdown, however, and it feels as if the book got away from the author, who then had to take extreme action to resolve his subplots and themes. Still, it is an auspicious debut, special fun for anyone interested in art. Mary Whipple
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Though Chip Kidd is best known as a "graphic designer" for book covers (as opposed to "commercial artist," a distinction he makes in the book), his talent as a writer could propel him into a whole new field--and this book into cult icon status. With a clarity of vision perhaps brought on by hindsight, he lays bare the emotional and intellectual confusion of a naïve, first year art student at a state university, a character who must find himself in an atmosphere which requires him to evaluate all the ideas and values he's uncritically absorbed to date. The character, who feels autobiographical, is lively, funny, and, I thought, totally believable, and I suspect that any reader who has ever taken an art course will empathize, if not identify, with him in some way.
As the speaker lives through this "novel in two semesters," he is profoundly affected by an off-the-wall female upperclassman, Himillsy Dodd, a free-spirited, hard-drinking woman of strong opinions, willing to challenge everyone and everything. Opposing hypocrisy wherever she finds it (virtually everywhere), Himillsy serves as a quirky mentor during the speaker's first two art classes, the second of which is with Winter Sorbeck, a never-to-be-forgotten instructor who turns his students' thinking inside-out, viciously critiquing not only of their work but also their personalities. As "Happy" deals with Sorbeck, Himillsy, the usual freshman tensions, fraternity parties, exams, critiques, and all-nighters, the reader shares his anxieties and feels his growth.
The amusing cover of the book resembles a doodled-on freshman text, with a magic marker message written on the binding and side of the closed book, bleeding into the pages themselves. The title, taken from one of Himillsy's sculptures, is as goofy as she is, though its meaning becomes clearer as the book progresses. The ending is a letdown, however, and it feels as if the book got away from the author, who then had to take extreme action to resolve his subplots and themes. Still, it is an auspicious debut, special fun for anyone interested in art. Mary Whipple
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
this is the best book ive ever read.it is also the only book i couldnt stop myself grinning widely while reading it in public. it is hilarious. the kind of humour you get by exaggerating scary or embarrassing experiences with a completely serious face. in fact the whole story pushes reality just a little bit. i dont think that you will ever find such extraordinary people like winter sorbeck, dottie (the life drawing teacher, who pours a pitcher of water on her cat, which runs completely wild, so that her students can practise gesture drawings) and himillsy (who is fascinated by this) in one single place.... and yet it is so believable. the not-knowing what you want from life, not having a dream, desperately wanting to find yourself...
this book is so rich in colours, expressions, thoughts and ideas that when i finished reading it, my own life seemed so boring and dull. i can only agree with himillsy: "why cant life be interesting?"
this is not only an inspiring book for art and design students. i am recommending it to everyone who crosses my way.
this book is so rich in colours, expressions, thoughts and ideas that when i finished reading it, my own life seemed so boring and dull. i can only agree with himillsy: "why cant life be interesting?"
this is not only an inspiring book for art and design students. i am recommending it to everyone who crosses my way.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Review on The Cheese Monkeys book by Chip Kidd
All together- great delivery speed!
Although used, the condition was better than I expected!
Would recommend!
Although used, the condition was better than I expected!
Would recommend!
Published on 5 Sep 2010 by Ms. B. A. Warren
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved this wacky book!
This guys comes from a really crazy angle, looking at the world like from the other end of a kalidescope. Read more
Published on 6 July 2009 by evilbendyone
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it
This book was one of the most amazing I have yet to read. It was compelling and hillarious. The plot was amazing, the ending unforgettable. I have enjoyed this book thouroghly.
Published on 20 Jun 2004 by "galaxiasstar"
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