Yesterday I renewed my library card with Fort Vancouver Regional Library. FVRL is the biggest library system in my area and has many good aspects that have grown on its site. For example: It has sixteen locations and instead of having to go to each location personally to pick up a book I might be specifically looking for, I can have it added to my hold list and sent to my local chapter. I can also return any of the books to any FVRL chapter instead of just the one that I checked them out at.
This is completely wonderful, but the reason I would come home with 40 books a week some times.
Nowadays my memory has slightly faded and I have a harder time retaining information, but I shall try my best to talk about these books in their entirety. =)
Sharaz~De: Tales from the Arabian Nights
Written and illustrated by Sergio Toppi
The first thing that hits you with this book is the illustrations.
I've never run into Toppi's work before, but for lack of better comparison it reminds me of the imagery in the Sandman series by Neil Gaiman.
The artwork is simply captivating; a maze of ink lines on stark white pages. Spattered throughout with tales in dreamlike colors.
The story is that of Shaharazad of the 1001 Arabian nights. Presented here is Sharaz~De telling her tales to save herself and those other young women of her world. Eleven tales are told, including those of the King himself, in graphic novel format. As Sharaz~De begins spinning her web of safety the nights all begin with a new tale, and end at daybreak with the order of more from the King. In thus, she passes her time through her cunning of saving not only her life but those around her.
It is a short and easy read, and I simply adore the illustrations which depict only people of non Caucasian nature (and do so beautifully).
I'd read it again, and possibly add it to my collection.
ISBN 978-1-936393-48-0
