Author: Isabel Greenberg
Publisher: Jonathan Cape
Star Rating: * * * * *
Fear not, dear reader, for this is no factual encyclopedia!
A graphic novel written and illustrated by the hugely talented Isabel Greenberg, this is a book with many stories to tell, each providing glimpses into the fictional 'Early Earth'. A younger and much smaller planet than our own, Early Earth was home to a civilisation of human beings, much like us, who lived long, long ago.
Published in late 2013, 'the encyclopedia' is Greenberg's debut graphic novel. Achieving a place on the NYT Graphic books bestseller list, as well as two Eisner award nominations, it is easy to see why this book has been successful.
The main plot follows the epic journey of one young storyteller, eager to discover the missing part of his soul, lost, between three women and one silly medicine man, when he was only a baby. In a journey that spans halfway across the globe, from pole to pole, stories are swapped and shared, in a novel that celebrates the art of storytelling itself.
From vicious warring clans to a power crazed king, a pair of star-crossed lovers and an all powerful god named 'Bird Man', this book really has got it all, and everything has its own story. Man, there's even a cyclops!
Filled with the author's gorgeous illustrations, this book is engaging in a way that only a graphic novel can offer, and we're able to explore the world that Greenberg has created very visually. It doesn't just tell a story, but is a work of art in itself, which I have found incredibly refreshing.
So what else did I enjoy?
Well, the element of mythology was really great. A theme that runs throughout, readers are introduced to the religious variations on Early Earth through the sharing of stories during the storyteller's travels. They make for a bunch for quirky tales, and all, of course, revolve around the almighty god Bird Man. His kindhearted daughter, Kiddo, is among my favourite characters, but I shan't go into too many details (no spoilers!).
The storyteller, our protagonist, is easily likable, and I was eager for him to reach his happy ending by discovering that elusive part of his soul. It's a cute plotline, but also got me thinking outside of the book. Did the Medicine Man truly lose that part of the young man's soul, or was the journey simply a metaphor for our lives on modern day Earth? After all, the quest to find ourselves and our place in the world is very relevant to many of us today.
And for those students out there, maybe even more so!
Yes, this is a graphic novel, but don't let the format put you off. Full of complex and interweaving storylines, this book is sweet, slightly savage, and highly readable. It's perfect for those who (like me) are newcomers to the genre, but engaging enough that I'd recommend it widely.
This really is a stunning piece of literature. Isabel, I'm waiting on a sequel!
'Follow your gut, Storyteller, it will lead to your happy ending.'
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