RM - Week 3 "Bring it to the Table"

I have heard of hypertext fiction many times both in this course and in 501, so it was exciting to finally get a deep dive into the topic. It was cool to learn about the history of hypertext fiction, and how it soon became one of the most influential forms of e-lit! It kind of reminds me of those "choose your own adventure" books that I read as a kid, with the multiple different pathways through hyperlinks. The evolution of hypertext fiction came with the evolution of technology itself, causing it to grow consistently through time (and I am sure it is still growing). I really enjoyed reading about some of the key works and authors in hypertext fiction, such as Patchwork Girl by Shelley Jackson... (more on that later)

The Garden of Forking Paths was a pretty interesting read. I did though, find myself a bit confused or lost in the reading. On another note, I really really enjoyed making dada collages and blackout poetry. So much so that I think I am going to start collaging more often! I also have a whole book that is now dedicated to blackout poetry! It is really cool to me how art can be made by taking bits and pieces of other artworks. 

I read about Shelly Jackson's Patchwork girl (1995)! It is a gothic feminist retelling of Frankenstein that tells the story through illustrations of parts of a female body stitched together through text and images. Throughout the story there is a lot of graveyard imagery said to "invite the reader to resurrect Mary Shelley's monster." In Jackson's story the woman and her creation become lovers which I think is pretty fun. Apparently it was also inspired by The Patchwork Girl of Oz, which I know nothing about!!