Encyclopedia (novel)

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Encyclopedia is a 1969 novel by American writer Richard Horn. It is an early example of hypertext fiction, meaning the story can be read in any order by following cross-references throughout the book.

The book is arranged as 26 encyclopedia entries, one for each letter of the alphabet. Because of this structure, the events aren’t told in a traditional, linear way. Readers can start anywhere and move around, following connections between entries. The central thread involves two aspiring writers, Tom Jones and Sadie Massey, who become part of the East Coast literary and bohemian scenes.

Grove Press published Encyclopedia in 1969. In 2023, Tough Poets Press reprinted it after a Kickstarter campaign, bringing renewed attention to the work.

Critical reception was generally positive about the format. Some reviewers praised the book’s unusual structure and how it offered a fresh way to tell a story about a relationship. Others felt the lack of a conventional plot or clear resolution was a drawback. The prose drew mixed opinions as well: some appreciated the cross-referencing and experimentation, while others found it overly encyclopedic or dry. Overall, Encyclopedia is seen as a bold experiment in storytelling, even if opinions on its storytelling vary.