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lapetiteprincesse's review against another edition
3.0
i was introduced to a lot of classics i didn't hear of
i enjoyed the brief summaries before each drawing
it was good
i enjoyed the brief summaries before each drawing
it was good
ejdecoster's review against another edition
4.0
As with all compilations, there are strengths and weaknesses. With the really broad range of artists it can be hard to get into a "flow" of reading, but it also means there's something for everyone. This first book felt a little heavy from repetition - a lot of Greco-Roman epic poetry, a lot of Shakespeare - but I appreciated that each author/illustrator brought something to their interpretation.
nerdella_reads's review against another edition
5.0
More than any other compendium of literature, this book covers every genre from around the world and every type of writing. This is a refreshing change, since most books that claim to offer the best literature has to offer cover only Western writings, and then only things that are not "naughty". I can't wait to read the next two volumes!
ryner's review against another edition
3.0
A rich and fun collection of condensed or excerpted literary works from Gilgamesh (1000 BCE) to Dangerous Liaisons (1782). All kinds of artistic styles and media are on display, including some exceptionally clever adaptations. There were a handful of samples I found dull or impossible to follow, and a number of others whose original works I hadn't heard of, but it was overall an entertaining trip through the long history of world literature. Volumes two and three continue the chronological journey.
night_owl's review against another edition
4.0
Love the variety of creative ways to interpret well-known classics. Some beautiful art. Some are very truncated excerpts though, just enough to tease you
charlotteprice's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this, and just... it just didn't work. Too much, trying to accomplish too much, I'd rather have a few of these made into longer stories than this enormous book. Physically tough to deal with, too. Just not for me
balancinghistorybooks's review
4.0
The Graphic Canon is a wonderful and inspired idea; it collects the work of many graphic artists, much of it original, after asking them to reimagine a classic tale. In this particular volume, stories span the Bible to the eighteenth century. A plethora of art styles and interpretations are offered. Whilst I will not be seeking out many of the individual artists featured here, and whilst my favourite entry was unsurprisingly by Isobel Greenberg, it is a wonderful book to own, and I will undoubtedly read it again at some point.
tallblackguy's review
3.0
I see the points everyone is making about the content of the book, but what I saw was a variety of artists and styles making classical words visual. And at the end of the day? That's why I got this book.
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