35 pages • 1 hour read
Nick SousanisUnflattening
Nonfiction | Graphic Novel/Book | Adult | Published in 2015A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Unflattening by Nick Sousanis, the first comic-form dissertation at Columbia University, argues for visual thinking in education, using illustrations and narrative to critique traditional education's emphasis on efficiency over imagination. Sousanis employs metaphors from Edward A. Abbot’s Flatland to discuss the limitations of linear, language-based perspectives and the value of embracing multiple viewpoints to achieve a deeper understanding of reality.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Nick Sousanis' Unflattening offers a groundbreaking blend of visual art and philosophical inquiry. Celebrated for its innovative use of the graphic novel format, the book challenges traditional perspectives on understanding and knowledge. Some critics note that the abstract narrative can be challenging to follow. Nonetheless, the work remains a praised contribution to both academic and artistic discussions.
Who Should Read Unflattening?
A reader who would enjoy Unflattening by Nick Sousanis is likely engaged in interdisciplinary studies, visual arts, or philosophy. Similar to readers of Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics or Art Spiegelman's Maus, they appreciate the fusion of visual and textual narratives to probe complex ideas and challenge conventional perspectives.