The Adventures of a Nose

A large nose, disembodied but for two legs protruding from its nostrils, embarks upon a journey of self-discovery, seeking a place where it can ‘fit in and stick out’. As in many classic quest tales, there are animal guides both benign and ambiguous, expeditions to the ends of the earth, a crisis of disillusionment, and ultimate enlightenment delivered by a guru figure. The story is as surrealistic as Gogol’s tale of the same name, and shares some of its concerns with identity and alienation, but it can be read quite comfortably with younger children as a tale of higher silliness. The design of the book is striking: large, bold simple print faces or overlays bright and vivid episodes in the Nose’s quest, whilst alongside, pencil drawings and collages of ‘found text’ related to the episodes form thought-provoking, talk-evoking palimpsests.