35 review for Pile: Petals From St. Klaed's Computer

1. 

   4 out of 5

   Andrew – Jul 15, 2017

   This is a strange title to say the least- what you have here is an over sized book detailing the story by Brain Aldiss which is written in the form of a poem. The book itself is illustrated by Mike Wilks who is most famous for the ultimate illustrated alphabet books. Each page (or in some cases double page) is sumptuously illustrated showing events in that part of the poem. Now I cannot really describe the scenes as it really gives away the story since to be honest the book is only 36 pages long. This is a strange title to say the least- what you have here is an over sized book detailing the story by Brain Aldiss which is written in the form of a poem. The book itself is illustrated by Mike Wilks who is most famous for the ultimate illustrated alphabet books. Each page (or in some cases double page) is sumptuously illustrated showing events in that part of the poem. Now I cannot really describe the scenes as it really gives away the story since to be honest the book is only 36 pages long. However the sheer size and detail of it - make it a marvel to read. Now Brian Aldiss is a bit of a character in the British science fiction circuit and apart from its knowledge and experiences he also has a truly kaleidoscopic range of material he has published include many which are treated as modern classics - okay this is not one of them but you can see the confidence in the mans work on each page. Now I will not say this is his best work or that it it will take prize place in my collection but as a piece of experimental work from what feels a forgotten age of publishing this is a real find and one I am glad I stumbled across.

2. 

   4 out of 5

   Meredith – Feb 16, 2018

   The illustrations were made first, the poem after. The drawings are the much stronger part. Pile is an amazing pastiche of every imaginable Western architectural style. It's really wonderful. The humans are interesting as well. The gender balance is way off. There is a line that says that women think Pile is hell. Anyways, it stood out. Interesting experimental picture book for adults. The illustrations were made first, the poem after. The drawings are the much stronger part. Pile is an amazing pastiche of every imaginable Western architectural style. It's really wonderful. The humans are interesting as well. The gender balance is way off. There is a line that says that women think Pile is hell. Anyways, it stood out. Interesting experimental picture book for adults.

3. 

   5 out of 5

   Kenneth – Sep 13, 2020

   A lavishly illustrated book (by Mike Wilks) with quasi-medieval buildings. Brian Aldiss wrote a story to go with them, in poetic form, in the fantasy genre. Prince Scart is its ruler, and in his time, Pile crumbles and is swallowed up by something called Elip. Some of the characters in the later illustrations appear downright Lovecraftian.

4. 

   5 out of 5

   Craig – Feb 21, 2017

   This is an obscure but fun little book. Aldiss was one of the big-name movers and shakers of British sf back in the day of the new wave and Moorcock's New Worlds; he and J.G. Ballard set the tone for experimental literary work of a generation, and I was surprised to find a book of his with which I was entirely unfamiliar. It's an oversized volume of illustrations by Mike Wilks with a long, narrative poem by Aldiss. The illustrations are delightful, very detailed, and it's fun to go over them rep This is an obscure but fun little book. Aldiss was one of the big-name movers and shakers of British sf back in the day of the new wave and Moorcock's New Worlds; he and J.G. Ballard set the tone for experimental literary work of a generation, and I was surprised to find a book of his with which I was entirely unfamiliar. It's an oversized volume of illustrations by Mike Wilks with a long, narrative poem by Aldiss. The illustrations are delightful, very detailed, and it's fun to go over them repeatedly and find new little bits and pieces; imagine if Escher had done a Where's Waldo? Aldiss's poem isn't really great, but it's a lot of fun seeing the way he plays with the language and invents phrases to reach the description and have it all rhyme. And it all tells a nice little story, too.

5. 

   4 out of 5

   Sarah – Feb 22, 2017

   Worth a look for the fantastic Escheresque illustrations, but the text doesn't live up to the pictures. The poem has its moments but the tone and quality of the verse is very uneven. Worth a look for the fantastic Escheresque illustrations, but the text doesn't live up to the pictures. The poem has its moments but the tone and quality of the verse is very uneven.

6. 

   5 out of 5

   Nicholas Whyte – Oct 21, 2007

   http://nhw.livejournal.com/948959.html[return][return]A rather peculiar conjunction of Aldiss (writing in verse for once) and Wilks (later famous for The Ultimate Alphabet) supplying a superb depiction of the crazed architecture of the city of Pile (and its mirror image Elip), plus the power-hungry prince Scart. Aldiss fan though I am, the gorgeous illustrations score over the written narrative. http://nhw.livejournal.com/948959.html[return][return]A rather peculiar conjunction of Aldiss (writing in verse for once) and Wilks (later famous for The Ultimate Alphabet) supplying a superb depiction of the crazed architecture of the city of Pile (and its mirror image Elip), plus the power-hungry prince Scart. Aldiss fan though I am, the gorgeous illustrations score over the written narrative.

7. 

   4 out of 5

   Anthony Faber – Oct 21, 2015

   SF/Fantasy poem by Brian Aldiss, art by someone else. Not my cup of tea, but better than a lot of this ilk.

8. 

   4 out of 5

   Erin Richards – Dec 25, 2011

   Strange both the poem and the pictures but, it works well together. Finding the details in the illustrations is a fun way to spend an afternoon.

9. 

   5 out of 5

   Luigi –

10. 

    5 out of 5

    Pierce –

11. 

    4 out of 5

    Brielle Kerkhoff –

12. 

    4 out of 5

    Minde –

13. 

    5 out of 5

    Bob Van Arsdale –

14. 

    5 out of 5

    Mark Balson –

15. 

    5 out of 5

    Shane –

16. 

    4 out of 5

    Christy Bertrand –

17. 

    5 out of 5

    Josiah –

18. 

    5 out of 5

    Rachel –

19. 

    5 out of 5

    Menashi –

20. 

    5 out of 5

    Melutopia –

21. 

    4 out of 5

    Firdaus –

22. 

    5 out of 5

    Sheau Hui –

23. 

    4 out of 5

    Patrick Smith –

24. 

    5 out of 5

    Johnathan Bee –

25. 

    5 out of 5

    BookDB –

26. 

    5 out of 5

    Jdwils –

27. 

    5 out of 5

    Kristyn –

28. 

    5 out of 5

    SHUiZMZ –

29. 

    5 out of 5

    Mark Gaulton –

30. 

    5 out of 5

    Nedeljković Dalibor –

31. 

    4 out of 5

    Michael Joseph Schumann –

32. 

    5 out of 5

    Dan –

33. 

    5 out of 5

    Michael –

34. 

    5 out of 5

    Aaron –

35. 

    5 out of 5

    Walter Schoenly –