Three Shadows
A Great Read Awaits You This Week with the Just Released ‘Three Shadows’
Three Shadows
May 1st, 2008 - An English-language translation of a French graphic novel, Three Shadows is a moving, exquisitely illustrated story of a father, mother, and son living an idylic life in the French countryside (in an unspecified time, which looks like the 1800's), until three mysterious hooded horsemen begin appearing outside their home, seemingly intent on taking away the small boy. The tale takes us upon a journey with the father and son, who whisks his child away from the homestead in the hopes of getting as far away as possible from the dreaded three figures, in turn expecting to stave off any harm to his child, though what he finds is that it's impossible to escape the inevitable. The story was inspired by the real-life death of the young son of a close friend of Pedrosa. The art, beautifully rendered in brush and pen, flows gorgeously from one panel to the next, like an animated film. That's not a conicidence, as Pedrosa began his career in animation, working on such Disney films as The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Hercules. The drawing here is nothing short of masterful.
Against the wishes of her husband, Louis, Lise visits with Mistress Pike, an old seer, who tells her the dreaded news about their son, telling her what she already knew, but didn't want to hear. The story picks up and reads like an adventure, as Louis takes his son Joachim on horseback through the woods to the edge of their land, hoping to make it onto the next ship crossing the sea and as many miles from the three shadows as they can. When they get there, they're greeted by dozens of fellow travellers all trying desperately to get on board before the ship leaves. Unfortunately, they're too late, but in the end wind up getting boarding passes from the corrupt ticket seller by giving him all the money they have. Once on board, they discover it's not a simple of act of just crossing the sea. Misery awaits on board, as passengers become sick, have little food and have to deal with the elements and a coming storm that leaves Louis and Joachim jumping ship into the raging waters. The art in these sections is superb, creating an ominous mood, from the smoky cabin of the ship's Captain to the raging storm at night on the ships deck. There are some truly spooky moments here as well, such as the sight of the three hooded figures, standing on the ships mast like waiting vultures.
An engaging read, which you'll find yourself unable to put down, Three Shadows is also an emotionally involving and poetic fable, sure to stick with you long after you've put it away.
For more information please visit FirstSecondBooks.com