The major American artist invented the concept of a wordless novel with this evocative, text-free "woodcut" narrative. Autobiographical in nature, the novel recounts Ward's struggles with his craft and with life in the 1920s. The intricate woodcuts transcend all barriers of language, and fresh details reward the eye with every review. 139 black-and-white illustrations. Unabridged republication of the edition published by Jonathan Cape and Harrison Smith, New York, 1929.
Here's a sample of other books in this Dover category
The Sun, The Idea & Story Without Words: Three Graphic Novels by Frans Masereel, David A. Berona Three wordless novels by a master, told in 206 Expressionistic woodcuts: The Sun, a struggle with destiny; The Idea, a concept's triumph over suppression; and Story Without Words, a poignant romance.
Phobia: An Art Deco Graphic Masterpiece by John Vassos, David A. Berona Hailed as a masterpiece of psychological insight by doctors and the general public alike, this 1931 creation by a leading Art Deco designer offers striking depictions of 24 common fears.
Frankenstein: The Lynd Ward Illustrated Edition by Mary Shelley, Lynd Ward A master of woodcut technique, Lynd Ward created 64 distinctive engravings for this famous Gothic novel.His unusual perspectives and dramatic light-and-dark contrasts combine elements of Art Deco and German Expressionism.
Vertigo: A Novel in Woodcuts by Lynd Ward, David A. Berona In this moving graphic novel without words told with 230 intricately detailed woodcuts, a young girl who longs to be a violinist, and a boy who hopes to become a builder, find their dreams shattered by the Great Depression.
Wild Pilgrimage: A Novel in Woodcuts by Lynd Ward Through startling engravings shaded in black and red, Ward wordlessly tells the story of a man trapped in an industrial world, struggling between the grim reality around him and the fantasies his imagination creates.
Passionate Journey: A Vision in Woodcuts by Frans Masereel This evocative, text-free narrative is crafted from 167 woodcuts. A novel in pictures, we follow our hero through a world of good and evil, love and heartbreak. Introduction by Thomas Mann.
Destiny: A Novel in Pictures by Otto Nückel This wordless graphic novel tells its socially charged story through 188 stark, arresting images. Open to endless interpretations, the tragic, often violent, story of a young girl unfolds through 17 chapters.
Making Woodcuts and Wood Engravings: Lessons by a Modern Master by Hans Alexander Mueller An indispensable guide to creating woodcut masterpieces, this volume offers instructions that range from using the simplest strokes to making intricate multicolor print blocks. Easy-to-follow instructions are complemented by 98 illustrations, many in color.
The City: A Vision in Woodcuts by Frans Masereel This graphic novel by an Expressionist master offers a stunning depiction of urban Europe between the world wars. First published in Germany in 1925, it presents 100 woodcuts of remarkable force and beauty.
Mad Man's Drum: A Novel in Woodcuts by Lynd Ward The powerful imagery and intensity of Ward's wordless novels have elicited comparisons to Hawthorne, Melville, and Poe. This 1930 work tells a gripping tale through imagery alone, consisting solely of 128 hauntingly rendered woodcuts.
