Oedipus: Trapped by Destiny: A TOON Graphic

by Yvan Pommaux, Richard Kutner (Translator)

Overview

Oedipus is born to a terrible fate. Can he escape it to save himself and his family? An oracle makes a ghastly prediction: the young prince will kill his father and marry his mother. Horrified, King Laius decides to kill his infant son before he can ever grow up to fulfill that prophecy. But destiny can't be avoided so easily. That child is Oedipus, who lives to lead a country. Discover his true family, and see how his own rash actions have only furthered the gods' plans. With unique flair and a wealth of details, cartoonist Yvan Pommaux brings to a new generation the tragic tale, which has thrilled and terrified us for thousands of years. A must to nourish young readers' imaginations.

Yvan Pommaux is a beloved children's book author in France who is known for his detailed research and illustration style. In 1995, he was awarded the prestigious Grand Prix de la Ville de Paris. Three schools have been named after him as a testament to the joy and educational appeal of his work for children.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781935179955
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	06/07/2016
Series:	TOON Graphic Mythology
Edition description:	Translatio
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	7.80(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	GN730L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Yvan Pommaux is a beloved children's book author in France who is known for his detailed research and illustration style. In 1995 he was awarded the prestigious Grand Prix de la Ville de Paris. Three schools have been named after him as a testament to the joy and educational appeal of his work for children.

Editorial Reviews

"A well-wrought and edifying adaptation."- Kirkus Reviews

"This is an excellent pictorial retelling of the Oedipus myth, made both clear and exciting for modern children." - Fred Patten Reviews

This graphic novel version Greek myth of Theseus, founder of democracy, and the Minotaur, a half-human, half-bull creature, is a widely appealing tale in which a heroic warrior reclaims his destiny...An accessible, informative, and enjoyable read." - School Library Journal

"Absolutely brilliant! Smart and well told–plus the art is sublime." - Jeff Smith, Author of Bone

"A quasi-comic-book form that mingles fine-edged yet expansive drawings, speech bubbles and short paragraphs…he packs a gratifying amount of detail into his rendition of this heartbreaking story."? - The Wall Street Journal

"A handsomely illustrated introduction to a classical hero." - Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

04/01/2016
Gr 5–8—A succinct retelling of the Greek tragedy of Oedipus, the king who fulfilled the prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother, this title provides the basic facts of the story. Rendered in muted, somber tones, the illustrations emphasize backgrounds. Characters, on the other hand, are small, as if dwarfed by events beyond their control. The layout is a combination of spreads and panels. Some of the text appears in cartoon bubbles, but most of it is in narrative format and is occasionally presented at the very top or bottom of the page, where readers might overlook it. Pronunciations for names are also provided at the bottom, which can make following the tale confusing at times. The opening endpapers reveal a map of Greece that shows the locations of various events and an inset of a Greek drinking cup depicting Oedipus with the Sphinx. The closing endpapers include an illustrated index for characters and locations, providing more information on each. This is a solid introduction to a Greek classic, but the even tone undermines the horror of the tragedy. VERDICT A good addition for schools with a focus on classics but not captivating enough to capture the interest of Rick Riordan readers.—Jaclyn Anderson, Madison County Library System, MS

School Library Journal

2016-03-16
Reimagined through a hybrid picture-book/comics lens, Oedipus meets his cataclysmic fate. In this third volume of the Toon Graphic Mythology series, Oedipus and his tragic prophecy are given the spotlight. He's doomed even before his birth, as an oracle has foretold that if the baby of Laius and Jocasta is born male, he will kill his father and marry his mother. When their child is indeed born male, Laius orders him to be abandoned in the wild. As fate would have it, the boy is saved by a shepherd and raised by a king and queen in faraway Corinth. As Oedipus grows into a young man, his own rage and violence surprise him, and he flees Corinth, ending up—unbeknownst to him—back in his homeland, his destiny inescapable. Creating something that's not quite a picture book nor a graphic novel, Pommaux uses a lovely combination of text and earth-toned illustrations dotted with conversational word bubbles to breathe life into an old tale. Helpful pronunciation prompts are interspersed throughout the text to help young readers achieve a greater sense of understanding. Also included is a pictorial list of main characters, an index, a map, and a list of books and websites for further reading. This pairs exceptionally well with George O'Connor's excellent Olympians series, creating an entirely immersive experience. A well-wrought and edifying adaptation. (Graphic mythology. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews