An enchanting rendition of a star-crossed romance.
Damezin reignites a centuries-old love story.
In his graphic novel, the author draws from an ancient Arabic story about the unconsummated love between 7th-century poet Qays ibn al-Mulawwah and the beauty Layla al-Aamiriya. First popularized by the poet Nizami Ganjavi, innumerable versions and derivations have emerged; perhaps you’ve heard of Romeo and Juliet? Layla, with her otherworldly face, “would have had to hide her beauty beneath a hundred veils” so as not to eclipse the sun, and Qays “made the stars before him seem ugly” and had “the voice of a prophet.” They have adored each other since childhood, and Qays so fervently declares his ardor through oral verse that he earns the reputation of a madman, a majnun. Layla’s father forbids the marriage, and the duo suffers painfully. As a result, Qays falls ill, nearly perishing in the wild; the rapture of his devotion, however, inspires the animal kingdom to revive and serve him. Layla laments that “becoming mad with love is a man’s privilege,” and her father marries her to an affluent man whom she swears never to accept. Damezin retains the lyrical quality of the original work and spikes it with fierce sensuality (“To celebrate the scarlet wedding and the orgy / to feast on flesh, to frolic in blood…to perforate, lacerate, bite, and pierce”). Here, Layla assumes more agency than in previous versions. The illustrations give this tale a mythical feel, rendering the fever of love in a colorful visual style that evokes ancient Persian art.
An enchanting rendition of a star-crossed romance.Pub Date: Nov. 28, 2023
ISBN: 9781643379487
Page Count: 184
Publisher: Life Drawn
Review Posted Online: Jan. 16, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A clever and timely conversation on reclaiming identity and acknowledging one’s full worth.
Superman confronts racism and learns to accept himself with the help of new friends.
In this graphic-novel adaptation of the 1940s storyline entitled “The Clan of the Fiery Cross” from The Adventures of Superman radio show, readers are reintroduced to the hero who regularly saves the day but is unsure of himself and his origins. The story also focuses on Roberta Lee, a young Chinese girl. She and her family have just moved from Chinatown to Metropolis proper, and mixed feelings abound. Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane’s colleague from the Daily Planet, takes a larger role here, befriending his new neighbors, the Lees. An altercation following racial slurs directed at Roberta’s brother after he joins the local baseball team escalates into an act of terrorism by the Klan of the Fiery Kross. What starts off as a run-of-the-mill superhero story then becomes a nuanced and personal exploration of the immigrant experience and blatant and internalized racism. Other main characters are White, but Black police inspector William Henderson fights his own battles against prejudice. Clean lines, less-saturated coloring, and character designs reminiscent of vintage comics help set the tone of this period piece while the varied panel cuts and action scenes give it a more modern sensibility. Cantonese dialogue is indicated through red speech bubbles; alien speech is in green.
A clever and timely conversation on reclaiming identity and acknowledging one’s full worth. (author’s note, bibliography) (Graphic fiction. 13-adult)Pub Date: May 12, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-77950-421-0
Page Count: 240
Publisher: DC
Review Posted Online: Feb. 29, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A sweet bedtime story.
A boy and his stuffed bear head into the woods.
Having captured readers’ attention with Born a Crime (2016), his bestselling memoir of growing up in South Africa, comedian and television host Noah has written a parable about decision-making. As he puts it in a brief prologue, “It’s about disagreements and difference—but it’s also about how we bridge those gaps and find what matters most, whether we’re parents or kids, neighbors, gnomes, or political adversaries. It’s a picture book, but it’s not a children’s book. Rather, it is a book for kids to share with parents and for parents to share with kids.” With plentiful illustrations by Hahn and in language aimed at young listeners, it tells the story of a small boy so impatient to start his Saturday adventures that he rebels against the rules of his household and heads out without brushing his teeth or making his bed, despite the reminders of his stuffed bear, Walter. “We can’t just run away,” protests the bear. “Your mother will miss you. And where will we sleep? And who will make us waffles?” “We’ll build our own house,” the boy responds. “And we’ll grow our own waffles!” From there, the pair go on their walkabout, encountering a garden gnome, a pair of snails, and a gang of animated coins who have lessons to offer about making choices. Though the author suggests in the introduction that adult readers might enjoy the book on their own, those looking for a follow-up to the memoir or a foray into adult fiction should be warned that this is not that book.
A sweet bedtime story.Pub Date: Oct. 8, 2024
ISBN: 9780593729960
Page Count: 128
Publisher: One World/Random House
Review Posted Online: July 4, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
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