First published 2018
Simon Garfield examines the peculiar realm of miniature enthusiasts and their meticulously crafted small worlds. He investigates diverse communities of collectors and creators who dedicate themselves to diminutive pursuits. Garfield visits flea circuses and studies collections of 1,000 tiny Hitlers. He explores miniature crime scenes constructed for forensic training and walks through elaborate model villages complete with working railways. The author documents creators of minuscule food replicas and numerous other intricate hobbies. Each chapter follows a different miniature obsession, revealing the psychology behind our desire to shrink the world around us. Garfield argues that reducing objects to tiny scale helps humans comprehend and control their environment. The book traces the historical development of miniature crafts while examining the passionate communities that sustain these traditions. Through detailed observations of collectors and their creations, Garfield demonstrates how working with small objects provides both escape and deeper understanding of our full-sized reality.
Genres: history, psychology, sociology, non-fiction
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: cultural-exploration, nonfiction
289 pages · Hardcover · Canongate Books