The Adventuress - Audrey Niffenegger

I've read both of her novels, and had been aware that she'd written some graphic novels earlier in her career so when a saw this in the library i had to take it out.

Although to be honest, it's so sparse that I could have stood in the library and read it in about five minutes!

Each double page spread has a few words of text opposite a excellent illustration. They tell the story of a created girl who is abducted, gives birth to a cat, turns into a moth, and ..... No I won't spoil the story, but needless to say it's extremely weird!

I was left wondering what was happening in the authors life to bring on these disturbing images.

Borrowed from Sheffield Central Library

5th February 2011

The Iron Wagon - Jason

Today I went to a demonstration against the cuts at the Central Library in Sheffield, and as part of that event I took out a load of books, this was one of them.

A short graphic novel based on a Norwegian classic detective story first published in 1909.

Although if I'm honest I found the plotting rather sparse (perhaps that is typical of Scandinavian fiction?), I did enjoy the story and the illustrations were great.

Jason (no second name) draws animals and birds instead of people, but walking upright and wearing the costumes of the period. I will look out for some of his other books, and hope the story lines are a little more dynamic.

5th February 2011

Borrowed from Sheffield Central Library

Watchmen - Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons

The Watchmen - Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons

I know that this book if supposed to be the one that defines the genre but I have to admit to not being as impressed with it as I had hoped. Certainly I don't think it lives up to the hype.

I bought the book a couple of years ago as I really like graphic novels and had heard so much about this one. But therein lies the problem perhaps?

Having loved 'From Hell' and 'League of extrodinary gentlemen' by Alan Moore, and very much enjoyed 'Maus', perhaps I've left it too later in my graphic novel reading to go back to the one that started it all?

I can't begin to explain the multiple storylines, but the basic story involves a bunch of retired masked crime fighters slowly being killed off, and the race to discover who is behind it. Obviously that is a terrible over simplication and the story also covers nuclear accidents, shipwrecks, millionaire geniuses and hairbrained plans to end all wars.

Anyway, if you enjoy graphic novels and haven't yet read this one, you must.

Now I've done so I feel I can go and see the film version.


Bought on Green Metropolis (some time ago!)
13-17th March