📖 Overview
Steve Tomasula is an American novelist and critic who explores the intersection of technology, language, and human identity through experimental literary works. His writing frequently combines multiple genres and incorporates visual elements alongside traditional narrative forms.
Growing up along the industrial border between East Chicago and Chicago's South Side deeply influenced his work, particularly his novel "IN&OZ." After earning his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois Chicago and teaching in the Middle East, he joined the faculty at the University of Notre Dame where he serves as a professor of English.
His five novels and numerous short works are characterized by their hybrid approach, blending experimental literature, historical fiction, science writing, and poetry. Tomasula's work is particularly noted for incorporating visual elements and nonfiction narratives into his storytelling, challenging traditional boundaries between literary forms.
Tomasula maintains strong connections to both academic and creative writing communities, dividing his time between South Bend, Indiana, and Chicago, where he lives with his wife, artist Maria Tomasula. His innovative approach to narrative and cross-genre experimentation has established him as a significant voice in contemporary experimental literature.
👀 Reviews
Readers see Steve Tomasula as an experimental writer who pushes boundaries in both form and content. His novels combine visual elements, unusual typography, and fragmented narratives.
Positive reviews focus on his innovation in storytelling techniques, particularly in "VAS: An Opera in Flatland" and "TOC." Readers praise his ability to blend scientific concepts with literary themes. One Goodreads reviewer noted that "VAS challenges what a book can be physically and conceptually."
Critics point to dense, academic writing that can be difficult to follow. Some readers report abandoning his books due to disorienting narrative structures. A common complaint is that the experimental elements overshadow character development and plot.
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads:
- VAS: 3.8/5 (89 ratings)
- TOC: 3.9/5 (46 ratings)
- The Book of Portraiture: 3.7/5 (37 ratings)
Amazon:
- VAS: 4.1/5 (12 reviews)
- TOC: 4.0/5 (8 reviews)
📚 Books by Steve Tomasula
VAS: An Opera in Flatland (2002)
A multimedia novel that follows Square and Circle's contemplation of voluntary sterilization, incorporating typography, medical illustrations, and historical documents to explore eugenics and body modification in contemporary society.
IN&OZ (2003) Set in a mechanized city, this novel follows four characters named for their professions - the Mechanic, the Photographer, the Designer, and the Composer - as their lives intersect in an industrial landscape.
The Book of Portraiture (2006) A novel spanning multiple time periods that examines how humans represent themselves through art and writing, from cave paintings to digital imagery.
TOC: A New-Media Novel (2009) A digital novel available as an iPad app that combines text, film, music and animation to tell a story about time and consciousness through interactive elements.
Once Human: Stories (2014) A collection of short stories exploring the boundaries between humans and technology, incorporating visual elements and experimental formats.
IN&OZ (2003) Set in a mechanized city, this novel follows four characters named for their professions - the Mechanic, the Photographer, the Designer, and the Composer - as their lives intersect in an industrial landscape.
The Book of Portraiture (2006) A novel spanning multiple time periods that examines how humans represent themselves through art and writing, from cave paintings to digital imagery.
TOC: A New-Media Novel (2009) A digital novel available as an iPad app that combines text, film, music and animation to tell a story about time and consciousness through interactive elements.
Once Human: Stories (2014) A collection of short stories exploring the boundaries between humans and technology, incorporating visual elements and experimental formats.
👥 Similar authors
Mark Z. Danielewski combines visual experimentation with narrative complexity in works like "House of Leaves," using typographical innovation and multimodal storytelling. His books explore similar themes of technology, perception, and human consciousness through unconventional formats.
Ben Marcus writes experimental fiction that challenges traditional narrative structures and examines language as a physical force. His works like "The Age of Wire and String" share Tomasula's interest in how technology and systems reshape human experience.
Shelley Jackson creates hybrid works that merge text with visual elements and digital media. Her projects, including "Patchwork Girl" and "Skin," explore the intersection of technology and the body in ways that parallel Tomasula's concerns.
David Markson constructs narratives through fragmentation and collage, incorporating historical facts and cultural references. His later works especially demonstrate a similar commitment to experimenting with form while examining the nature of art and knowledge.
Salvador Plascencia blends magical realism with metafictional elements and incorporates visual components into his narrative structure. His novel "The People of Paper" shares Tomasula's interest in pushing the boundaries of traditional book format while exploring identity and storytelling.
Ben Marcus writes experimental fiction that challenges traditional narrative structures and examines language as a physical force. His works like "The Age of Wire and String" share Tomasula's interest in how technology and systems reshape human experience.
Shelley Jackson creates hybrid works that merge text with visual elements and digital media. Her projects, including "Patchwork Girl" and "Skin," explore the intersection of technology and the body in ways that parallel Tomasula's concerns.
David Markson constructs narratives through fragmentation and collage, incorporating historical facts and cultural references. His later works especially demonstrate a similar commitment to experimenting with form while examining the nature of art and knowledge.
Salvador Plascencia blends magical realism with metafictional elements and incorporates visual components into his narrative structure. His novel "The People of Paper" shares Tomasula's interest in pushing the boundaries of traditional book format while exploring identity and storytelling.