Manifestoes of Surrealism

Manifestoes of Surrealism collects André Breton's foundational texts that established and defined the Surrealist movement in the early 20th century. The book, published in English in 1969, includes both the First and Second Manifestos of Surrealism, along with other critical essays and theoretical writings. The manifestos outline specific techniques and principles for creating Surrealist art and literature, including automatic writing and drawing, dream documentation, and methods for accessing the unconscious mind. Breton presents detailed arguments for why traditional artistic and literary conventions must be abandoned in favor of new forms of expression. The writings position Surrealism not just as an artistic movement but as a revolutionary way of thinking and living that challenges social, political and cultural norms. The texts trace the evolution of Surrealist thought from its inception in the 1920s through various phases of development and transformation. This collection remains one of the most significant theoretical works of the avant-garde, exploring the relationship between art, consciousness, reality and human freedom. Through these manifestos, Breton establishes a philosophical framework that would influence generations of artists and thinkers.

Readers value this text as a primary source for understanding the surrealist movement's principles and aims, though many find Breton's writing style challenging to follow. Positive reader comments focus on: - Clear explanations of automatic writing techniques - Historical context for surrealist ideas - The manifestos' role in art history - Quality of Richard Seaver's translation Common criticisms: - Dense, academic language - Repetitive arguments - Breton's dogmatic tone - Lack of concrete examples "The prose is unnecessarily convoluted," notes one Goodreads reviewer. "Breton takes 20 pages to express what could be said in two." Another reader appreciates how "the manifestos reveal surrealism's revolutionary spirit beyond just melting clocks." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (90+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.0/5 (300+ ratings) Most readers recommend starting with the First Manifesto and skipping around rather than reading straight through.

The Poet Assassinated by Guillaume Apollinaire This experimental novel blends dream logic, absurdist humor, and anti-narrative techniques that laid groundwork for the surrealist movement.

Paris Peasant by Louis Aragon The text transforms ordinary Parisian locations into dreamscapes through stream-of-consciousness observations and mythological connections.

Nadja by André Breton This semi-autobiographical work combines photographs, drawings, and text to document the author's encounters with a woman through surrealist perspectives.

The Magnetic Fields by André Breton, Philippe Soupault The first book written using the surrealist automatic writing technique merges two consciousnesses into a stream of unexpected images and associations.

Theatre and Its Double by Antonin Artaud The manifesto presents theories about theater that parallel surrealist ideas about consciousness, reality, and artistic expression.

🌟 Breton wrote the first Surrealist Manifesto in 1924 at age 28, after abandoning his medical studies and serving as a psychiatric nurse during WWI. 🎨 The term "surrealism" was actually coined by Guillaume Apollinaire in 1917 to describe his play "Les Mamelles de Tirésias," before Breton adopted it for the movement. 💭 The book introduces "automatic writing"—a technique where one writes without conscious control—which became a cornerstone of Surrealist practice. 🤝 The manifestos were partly influenced by Sigmund Freud's theories of the unconscious mind, whom Breton met in 1921 during a trip to Vienna. 🎭 The Second Manifesto (1929), included in the book, marked a dramatic shift in the movement, leading to the expulsion of several original members and emphasizing political revolution alongside artistic innovation.