Welcome to Marwencol

This cowritten memoir is a remarkable portrait of a rich imaginative life—one that was rebuilt after a brutal physical assault. Hogancamp lost many cognitive and physical abilities after a vicious attack outside a bar in Kingston, NY. It took months of physical therapy before he was able to regain basic functions. The book's title is the name of the 1:6-scale town that Hogancamp constructed—and it was central to his recovery process. Readers are introduced to this rich imaginary environment and its creator. Hogancamp insists on rigorous attention to detail: he even wears down the tires of the miniature vehicles he uses in scenes. The book's three distinct parts first share the author's story, then introduce readers to the town of Marwencol and its central residents. The third section is formatted like a graphic novel, though instead of drawings, the action is illustrated by Hogancamp's photographic tableaux.