Editor: Russ Kick
The Graphic Canon is a wonderful concept beautifully executed. Russ Kick collected and solicited graphic novel renditions of dozens of world literature classics, ranging from antiquity to the late 20th century. Volume 1 is the first of three in the original compilation. Two other editions have been released since the first three: one devoted to children's literature, one to mysteries. The work of industry legends like Will Eisner and Robert Crumb stands alongside that of younger creators. Shakespeare, Dante and Cervantes are all in Volume 1, as are several relics of oral traditions from around the world. Religious works - Jewish, Christian, Taoist, Confucianist - enjoy treatment. Biographical and philosophical, too. Particularly meaningful for this blogger is the inclusion of several Asian literature classics: Mahabharata, The Tale of Genji, The Arabian Nights, etc. Kick wrote thoughtful and informative blurbs to introduce each chapter.
The Most Beautiful Rendering award goes to Michael Green for his interpretation of the Sufi poetry of Rumi. The Does the Most to Inspire My Curiosity in the Original Work award goes to Choderlos de Lacios for Dangerous Liaisons, with an assist to Kick for the blurb. A lot of high school lit staples are represented but overall the material is decidedly NC-17. There's no denying it, the classics are frequently dirty, either explicitly or implicitly. Makes sense. Sex has been around for a long time.
There used to be a line of comics called Classics Illustrated which did comic adaptations of classics. Once I was old enough to have read some of the actual books they were based on, I became unimpressed with them. I probably still have some in storage, though.
ReplyDeleteI remember those! That's how I first learned of many classics.
DeleteI'm sure they're not the greatest but they were good for exposure. There really is no equivalent now and that's too bad.
You find the most interesting books to read on multiple subjects. I enjoy reading your takes on these books. Plus for me I will never many of these books (brain) but I so enjoy your book reviews. Books are wonderful.
ReplyDeletecheers, parsnip and badger
As always, my wife deserves the great. She's the one with the nose for the good stuff.
DeleteTrying to read the bigger books I discovered the graphic novels. they broke every down for me and I could now appreciate the books.
ReplyDeleteSusan, you would probably enjoy the graphic canon. Some of the selections contain the whole story distilled. Others highlight a famous chapter. Most at least give a sense of the broader work.
Delete