This is the most buzzed about GN of the year, I’m glad I got to read it before the end of the year. There are many other more intelligent and articulate reviews out there, so I urge you to read them after you finish this book.
Before I started reading this, I thought it would be a philosophical/psychological essay more than a story. A little too cerebral and intellectual. And it is that, but it also has a lot of heart, because at the center of this book is a love story, between Asterios and his wife Hana.
This is not an original story: husband drives away wife, than has life changing revelation that allows him to grow and get back to his wife. However it is something that everybody can identify with and can appreciate.
The way this story is told though is original and masterful. Mazzuchelli uses a lot of metaphors and allegories, utilizing classic stories like Ulysses, Gilgamesh, Orpheus etc…
Each character is drawn in a different style that reflects their persona. For example Asterios is always drawn in profile, as if he’s pretentious and doesn’t need to look anyone in the eyes. He even uses different fonts for each character.
But the best scene to illustrate this technique is when Asterios and Hana first meet. They start with their own different styles: Asterios is drawn in blue polygons, in straight lines, Hana is drawn in smooth lines in red. Once they start to click during their conversation, they slowly start to blend and complement each other.
Usually they’re depicted normally, without polygons or colors. But whenever they have a fight, they revert back to the opposing styles. This is just a brilliant way of conveying their emotions and characteristics in a totally visual way.
There are plenty of examples of Mazzuchelli’s genius, so I urge you to read this book. It’s well worth reading and thinking about it, not to mention re-reading it over and over.