A.S. King’s newest book Still Life With Tornado hits shelves October 11, and things are about to get (sur)real. Still Life with Tornado is the story of 16-year-old Sarah, who thinks she’s having an existential crisis: she keeps running into past and future versions of herself on the streets of Philadelphia. The result is a heartbreaking, insightful, but ultimately hopeful story about resilience that makes you go “wait…is this real?” To celebrate this beautiful book coming out in the world, we asked A.S. King to give us a little background on surrealism and share her favorite surrealist works!

Surrealism is not just an art movement it’s a way of thinking, a way of life, a way of transforming existence.”—André Breton

A.S. King: If you’ve read my books or know me, you know I love surreal things. I like chaos and puzzles. I have had vivid, recurring, and sometimes psychic dreams since I was a kid and so, the idea of Surrealism—the blend of reality and the dream world—is pretty much something that makes me feel less like a freak. As a reader and film lover and museum visitor, every time I’m in the company of Surrealism it makes me just plain happy. So here’s a random list of groovy surrealist things for you.

Films & TV

Brazil by Terry Gilliam

I’ve watched this film about ten times in the last thirty years and I have to be honest, I still can’t quite watch it without thinking WHAT DO I THINK NOW?

Teen Titans Go

I know. You now think I’m crazy. But this cartoon is built on surreal ideas and to me, it’s the first show that compares to the equally surreal early Looney Tunes cartoons.

Adaptation by Charlie Kaufman

This film may not fit perfectly into the Surrealism genre, but it’s got its moments. A screenwriter ends up inside of his own screenplay. This is in my top 5 films of all time.

Yo Gabba Gabba

If you’ve ever seen this show, you won’t argue with me that it is completely surreal. Just watch this epic video.

Books & Writing

Surrealist Women: An International Anthology

Finding women surrealist writers is not easy, so I purchased this anthology a few years ago so I could see where I might fit into things. It includes work from the early Surrealist movement in the 1920’s and ends with “A Challenge to the Twenty-First Century” which to me is a personal call to action.

The Man Suit by Zachary Schomburg

This book is nuts and I adore it. I have many favorite parts, but I believe the part where a black telephone and a white telephone communicate with each other is my favorite.

A lot of books for younger children

For me, you can’t get more surreal than Doctor Seuss or Roald Dahl.

Art

Surrealist art rocks. I could go on for hours but I’m just going to leave these here for you to behold.

Joan Miró

Frida Kahlo

Eileen Agar

Max Ernst

Here ends my list of Surrealist things. But you can continue the journey on YouTube. I’d start with this video if I were you. And then ride a roller coaster blindfolded while eating corn on the cob. It’s a way of life, don’t forget.

Looking for more recommendations? Check out these 8 YA characters who will mess with your mind!