Flipback Books

[Maud Fitch]

When browsing the homepage of my heart-throb Jasper Fforde, I came across a little gem he’d written about - Flipback books. Apparently Hodder & Stoughton recently launched them in UK and Jasper is among one of their first authors to be printed this way. The likes of Melvyn Bragg, James Frey, Jodi Picoult, John le Carre and none other than Stephen King are available in Flipback books.

What is it? It is a hardback book printed sideways and shrunk. Or more politely “A Flipback book is a new kind of book which opens top to bottom and has sideways-printed text, so you get a full length novel in little more than the size of an iPhone”. The Guardian newspaper said “If you want something that doesn’t need recharging and slips into your pocket as easily as a phone, this little beauty is worth a try.” Flipbacks generally weigh less than 145 grams and overall about a sixth the size of an average hardback book and printed on FSC certified paper.

The blurb reads “With 1.5 million in print, this covetable new format sparked a reading revolution which has swept across Europe.” Needless to say it has not reached Aussie shores and I'm intensely curious as to what other readers think about it. Does the world need another book format?

I would love to view your comments on this subject.

[Fran]

First I've heard of it Maud but I'd certainly be curious ... don't understand how a different printing format would make the book smaller or lighter.

One of these days we'll go back to the scroll

[Bighuey]

You would have to have good eyes to read something like that, wouldnt you? It dosent sound like it would be too popular with people with bad eyesight... like me.

[Maud Fitch]

One of these days we'll go back to the scroll.

You would have to have good eyes to read something like that, wouldnt you?

You're probably right, Fran. The only innovative way forward is backward!

Yes, Bighuey, I'm in your boat - need a decent sized print.

Personally I would like to see a Flipback book. The whole concept seems gimmicky, perhaps aimed more at the younger reader. Actually when I first read about it, I thought of a pocket Dictionary I had at school. Wafer thin paper and tiny print! The sideways reading is a 'novel' idea. <grin>

EDIT: Sat 20/08/11 4:45PM AEST

Maud Fitch wrote on another thread - "Real paper books any day. And something completely different to challenge e-books, the new flipback book. I haven't actually held one but they open differently and are described as small compact hardcovers. Naturally without batteries!"

@Maud
I just purchased my first flipback book - John leCarré 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy'. Pure impulse buy in my local bookshop. It's about the size of an iPhone & the flimsy paper reminds me of an old prayer book but the print seems to be about the same as a conventional paperback.
Interesting ... wonder could I get paid for doing the field trials?

Thanks for sharing that, Fran. You've now made me even more interested in seeing one in the 'flesh'. Apparently flipback books have hit our shores, exclusive to Hachette Australia, but I've yet to get my hot little hands on one. Enjoy the book!