What do you think?
Rate this book
Pearl of the Sea
“””لؤلؤة� فتاةٌ كَتومة، وحيدة، تشعر بالأُلفة في المحيط كأنَّه بيتُها أكثرَ من منزلها على الأرض. تكتشف وحشًا بحريًّا قديمًا أثناء غَوْصها بحثًا عن أُذُن البحر قُبالةَ سواحل جنوب أفريقيا.
ولكن عندما يتَّضِح أن هذا المخلوق المتقلِّب المزاج خائِفٌ منها -مثلما تخاف هي منه- تُدرك أنها الوحيدة التي بإمكانها حمايَةُ صديقها الجديد� لو امتلَكَت تلك الشجاعةَ فقط للتغلُّب على ماضيها؛ فتفتح قلبها للآخرين.””�
ولكن عندما يتَّضِح أن هذا المخلوق المتقلِّب المزاج خائِفٌ منها -مثلما تخاف هي منه- تُدرك أنها الوحيدة التي بإمكانها حمايَةُ صديقها الجديد� لو امتلَكَت تلك الشجاعةَ فقط للتغلُّب على ماضيها؛ فتفتح قلبها للآخرين.””�
168 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2022
7 people are currently reading
299 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
April 18, 2023
Lonely girl in a small fishingtown, finds sea monster that first scares her, until it becomes clear it's not bad at all! So that's nice. And there's lovely art and some thoughtful writing. Also a couple of Dutch phrases and words, I noticed, our nasty colonial past popping up yet again.
(Picked up a review copy through Edelweiss)
September 14, 2022
Rep: South African cast & setting, lesbian mc, sapphic li
Galley provided by publisher
Pearl of the Sea is a fun and fast-paced book, centering on the friendship of a girl and a giant octopus. Yeah, that might give you a pause at first, but! It's a very sweet friendship (and octopus) and, if you're going to predicate a book on that, I feel it has to be. Of course, it's not only about the octopus (although I feel he is the best part), but also about Pearl's relationships with other people, namely her dad (who is trying his best to provide for her) and a girl in her class (who Pearl may or may not have a little crush on). All of this is wrapped up in some gorgeous art, making this a graphic novel that you really don't want to miss.
Galley provided by publisher
Pearl of the Sea is a fun and fast-paced book, centering on the friendship of a girl and a giant octopus. Yeah, that might give you a pause at first, but! It's a very sweet friendship (and octopus) and, if you're going to predicate a book on that, I feel it has to be. Of course, it's not only about the octopus (although I feel he is the best part), but also about Pearl's relationships with other people, namely her dad (who is trying his best to provide for her) and a girl in her class (who Pearl may or may not have a little crush on). All of this is wrapped up in some gorgeous art, making this a graphic novel that you really don't want to miss.
August 27, 2023
ابتعته بسبب العنوان "لؤلؤ" معنى اسمي
September 3, 2022
Ahh, I loved this so much!!! The story is wonderful and heartwarming. The setting is lovely. The characters are great, and I loved all of them.
The story is set in a coastal town in South Africa. The main character is Pearl, a young girl who spends her days diving in the ocean and gathering sea creatures. She lives with her dad and a dog. Despite the many jobs her dad takes, they don't have enough money to pay rent. Pearl decides to team up with 2 guys from a local fish shop, and sell them every sea creature she catches. One day while she is diving in the ocean, she stubles upon an underwater restricted area where she meets a giant octopus. Pearl and the octopus become friends, and she names him Otto. The rest of the story focuses on Pearl's relationship with the octopus, her dad, and her best friend Naomi.
I enjoyed the story and the character so much. Pearl is a brave, adventurous, and incredibly kind protagonist but she does have her own set of problems. I think there may have been a hint of her not liking boys, which I always like in fiction, especially young adult fiction.
I wish we would get a sequel to this because I want to see Pearl and Naomi's friendship develop. I am so happy I got the chance to read this. Thank you to Edelweiss for the review copy.
The story is set in a coastal town in South Africa. The main character is Pearl, a young girl who spends her days diving in the ocean and gathering sea creatures. She lives with her dad and a dog. Despite the many jobs her dad takes, they don't have enough money to pay rent. Pearl decides to team up with 2 guys from a local fish shop, and sell them every sea creature she catches. One day while she is diving in the ocean, she stubles upon an underwater restricted area where she meets a giant octopus. Pearl and the octopus become friends, and she names him Otto. The rest of the story focuses on Pearl's relationship with the octopus, her dad, and her best friend Naomi.
I enjoyed the story and the character so much. Pearl is a brave, adventurous, and incredibly kind protagonist but she does have her own set of problems. I think there may have been a hint of her not liking boys, which I always like in fiction, especially young adult fiction.
I wish we would get a sequel to this because I want to see Pearl and Naomi's friendship develop. I am so happy I got the chance to read this. Thank you to Edelweiss for the review copy.
July 29, 2024
I saw the art style and stayed for it. The story was pretty mid and predictable, nothing very special but it had a good message: protect the rare sea creatures.
I probably wouldn’t read it again, though I would be glad to look at the sunny, warm, watery graphics.
I probably wouldn’t read it again, though I would be glad to look at the sunny, warm, watery graphics.
July 28, 2023
3.5 stars
Great artwork, but I think this moved a bit too quickly for me. I would have loved it more if the main characters and other subplots were fleshed out a bit more which would have set this apart from a story that I’ve read/watched countless times before. I would still recommend picking it up.
Great artwork, but I think this moved a bit too quickly for me. I would have loved it more if the main characters and other subplots were fleshed out a bit more which would have set this apart from a story that I’ve read/watched countless times before. I would still recommend picking it up.
July 16, 2024
رسومات جميلة وقصة مؤثرة
June 9, 2023
#PearlOfTheSea � Anthony Silverston, Raffaella Delle Donne & Willem Sameul
#CatalystPress
Young Pearl lives on the West Coast with her father. Due to his battles to pay the bills after her mother abandoned them, Pearl spends increasing amounts of time fishing to contribute to the household. Desperate times call for desperate measures however, and she becomes involved with an abalone poaching ring. Whilst diving, she meets a creature of the deep that she initially perceives as a monster, but after sharing an Androcles-moment with him, he becomes her secret friend, and she names him Otto. Their relationship teaches her the true face of monsters and the value of the bonds of friendship.
What may appear as an uncomplicated happily-ever-after story on the surface, is anything but. Important themes included are single parenthood; youthful sexual awakening; loneliness, loyalty, and the complexities of poaching and conservation, especially in respect of aquatic life. It is a large format, full colour graphic novel with the cinematic quality of an animation film. The detailed illustrations are sufficiently realistic for young readers-to-be to follow all the action by looking at the pictures only. Several pages contain no speech bubbles; the quality of the illustrations confirming that a picture is worth a thousand words. Onomatopoeia is employed cleverly, creating the impression of a soundtrack with words and expressions like ‘arf arf� (barking dog); ‘ka-ching� (money) and ‘wee-oo-wee-oo-wee� (siren).
The visual perfection can best be described in the words of Luke Kolver, author, and illustrator of ‘Shaka rising� (Catalyst Press, 2017) and ‘King Shaka� (Catalyst Press, 2019): ‘The art evokes both the action of classic manga and the pristinely framed storytelling of Herge’s Tintin.�
It is, in essence, a compassionate coming of age story, suitable for and recommended to readers of all genres and ages.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #Uitdieperdsebek
#CatalystPress
Young Pearl lives on the West Coast with her father. Due to his battles to pay the bills after her mother abandoned them, Pearl spends increasing amounts of time fishing to contribute to the household. Desperate times call for desperate measures however, and she becomes involved with an abalone poaching ring. Whilst diving, she meets a creature of the deep that she initially perceives as a monster, but after sharing an Androcles-moment with him, he becomes her secret friend, and she names him Otto. Their relationship teaches her the true face of monsters and the value of the bonds of friendship.
What may appear as an uncomplicated happily-ever-after story on the surface, is anything but. Important themes included are single parenthood; youthful sexual awakening; loneliness, loyalty, and the complexities of poaching and conservation, especially in respect of aquatic life. It is a large format, full colour graphic novel with the cinematic quality of an animation film. The detailed illustrations are sufficiently realistic for young readers-to-be to follow all the action by looking at the pictures only. Several pages contain no speech bubbles; the quality of the illustrations confirming that a picture is worth a thousand words. Onomatopoeia is employed cleverly, creating the impression of a soundtrack with words and expressions like ‘arf arf� (barking dog); ‘ka-ching� (money) and ‘wee-oo-wee-oo-wee� (siren).
The visual perfection can best be described in the words of Luke Kolver, author, and illustrator of ‘Shaka rising� (Catalyst Press, 2017) and ‘King Shaka� (Catalyst Press, 2019): ‘The art evokes both the action of classic manga and the pristinely framed storytelling of Herge’s Tintin.�
It is, in essence, a compassionate coming of age story, suitable for and recommended to readers of all genres and ages.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #Uitdieperdsebek
July 4, 2023
Look, you’re already gonna hook me with the pitch “queer teenage diver girl in a coastal town learns to open up to others by developing a telepathic connection to a huge fucking sea monster� (one of my favourite films is ‘Aquamarine� for goodness� sake). But seeing this comic set in *South Africa* - and developed by artists from South Africa’s superstar animation studio Triggerfish, no less - is truly special. Reading a comic where characters� English dialect matches the people around me, with the town houses matching building styles I grew up seeing, is putting this graphic novel in a special place in my heart.
It’s fast-paced and full of heart, with the dynamism of action manga, and the adventurous spirit of TinTin, full of a love for the sea and a love of local rural coastal villages. Friendship, and the idea of personal agency and letting go of last hurts, are at its core. Pearl is such a fun character too, full of more affection for the people around her than she realises, and I love her blossoming friendship with Naomi, as well as her friendship with the Huge Bigass Sea Monster. The art style is so cute, lively, and expressive as well, very much in the vein of comics by animation professionals, and I’m really fond of the lively, loose, storyboard-like line-work
It’s fast-paced and full of heart, with the dynamism of action manga, and the adventurous spirit of TinTin, full of a love for the sea and a love of local rural coastal villages. Friendship, and the idea of personal agency and letting go of last hurts, are at its core. Pearl is such a fun character too, full of more affection for the people around her than she realises, and I love her blossoming friendship with Naomi, as well as her friendship with the Huge Bigass Sea Monster. The art style is so cute, lively, and expressive as well, very much in the vein of comics by animation professionals, and I’m really fond of the lively, loose, storyboard-like line-work
June 2, 2023
The art in this Pixar-y South African graphic novel is so fluid and expressive, it should be no surprise that the creators all come from animation backgrounds. But “Pearl Of The Sea� is more than just glorified collection of storyboards. The panel layouts, pacing, and plot all embrace the comics format and feels cohesive, even if the story comes off as a little derivative. It’s a pleasant, breezy read and a great entry point for younger readers looking to make the leap from cartoons and animated movies to proper comics.
October 20, 2023
A lovely graphic novel about one teenager unusual friendship with a giant octopus & how her kindness determination and courage changes her life and small town
February 26, 2023
القصة عن صداقة ما بين فتاة تدعي لؤلؤة وأخطبوط ضخم يدعي واتو. الفتاة لديها مشاكلها الخاصة وفاة أمها وقلة عمل والدها اصبحت هي من تحاول العمل والاختفاء في البحر حيث يتركها الناس في حالها..تجد واتو مصاب بعدة أسهم ويطلب مساعدتها وتبدأ في مساعدته بنزع الأسهم. تنشأ صداقة ما بينهم ونري كيف تتغير حياة لؤلؤة بسبب صداقتها مع واتو.
القصة المصورة تستهدف الناشئة بشكل كبير، الكتابة لطيفة وبسيطة والرسوم قريبة لـ عوالم بيكسار.. تلوين اللوح لطيف وتصميم الشخصيات مميز وبسيط
القصة المصورة تستهدف الناشئة بشكل كبير، الكتابة لطيفة وبسيطة والرسوم قريبة لـ عوالم بيكسار.. تلوين اللوح لطيف وتصميم الشخصيات مميز وبسيط
November 5, 2023
Beautiful graphic novel. Perfect story to share with children of all ages.
December 23, 2023
I loved the art. The octopus was so cute and I loved how Pearl really got to connect with Naomi and she helped getting the harpoon out of the tentical
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2023
3.5/5⭐️!
April 21, 2025
فكرني بالأفلام الأنمي اللي كانت بتيجي يوم الجمعة علي mbc3
لطيف وخفيف
لطيف وخفيف
December 16, 2022
Pearl of the Sea is a beautiful graphic novel that will have great appeal to a wide range of readers.
Pearl spends most of her time on the ocean. It’s the only place she feels safe and most at home. Pearl is an experienced diver and we see this right from the opening spread. Gorgeous blues and underwater scenes make this book utterly enchanting. Pearl dives to put food on the table. When she finds a secured underwater space, abundant with abalone, she is approached by poachers. Pearl take the deal, thinking it will help her father pay the bills. But Pearl finds another secret while diving - a big secret - and one she’d do anything to protect.
The colours in this graphic novel are wonderful. From the vibrant pops of colour, blues of the underwater scenes and soft sunrises over the ocean. It’s a graphic novel with few words - Pearl likes to work alone, after all, and this leave plenty of space for page-width panels and dramatic spreads.
Pearl of the Sea has wonderful themes of protecting our ocean life, friendship and opening up to others, even after losing someone close to you. Pearl must learn to be a friend and open herself to friendship. She also has to learn to accept help, though she is one tough and clever heroine.
A beautiful graphic novel I can’t wait to add to our school library’s collection.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog
Pearl spends most of her time on the ocean. It’s the only place she feels safe and most at home. Pearl is an experienced diver and we see this right from the opening spread. Gorgeous blues and underwater scenes make this book utterly enchanting. Pearl dives to put food on the table. When she finds a secured underwater space, abundant with abalone, she is approached by poachers. Pearl take the deal, thinking it will help her father pay the bills. But Pearl finds another secret while diving - a big secret - and one she’d do anything to protect.
The colours in this graphic novel are wonderful. From the vibrant pops of colour, blues of the underwater scenes and soft sunrises over the ocean. It’s a graphic novel with few words - Pearl likes to work alone, after all, and this leave plenty of space for page-width panels and dramatic spreads.
Pearl of the Sea has wonderful themes of protecting our ocean life, friendship and opening up to others, even after losing someone close to you. Pearl must learn to be a friend and open herself to friendship. She also has to learn to accept help, though she is one tough and clever heroine.
A beautiful graphic novel I can’t wait to add to our school library’s collection.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog
August 19, 2023
An enjoyable simple standalone summer adventure with beautiful underwater seascape art when the main character goes diving. It's a short read without the unsatisfying feeling of skipping over important stuff, and diverse without feeling pandering or token-ish.
Pearl lives in a small seaside town with her dog and her dad, missing her mother - who left the family for unspecified reasons, but is not vilified - and preferring snorkelling to school. Times are tough, so she tries to supplement their income by fishing, dodging police-boats and abalone poachers. One day she dives near a wreck and finds a sea monster. She befriends it, but when its old enemy comes calling, she must try to save it.
Recommended for readers from tween to adult who miss the beach or enjoy seaside settings, or who enjoy a straightforward adventure without too many complications.
Content/Parental concerns: no swearing (beyond a few isolated mild things on the level of "what the hell was that"), no nudity/making out/kissing/sex, no drugs/alcohol/drunkenness, no racism, no islamophobia, no homophobia or transphobia, no police violence; Pearl gets picked on by some classmates (mean/snarky comments) but no sustained vicious bullying or physical bullying; two shady antagonists try to get cash-strapped Pearl to help them with their abalone-poaching
Pearl lives in a small seaside town with her dog and her dad, missing her mother - who left the family for unspecified reasons, but is not vilified - and preferring snorkelling to school. Times are tough, so she tries to supplement their income by fishing, dodging police-boats and abalone poachers. One day she dives near a wreck and finds a sea monster. She befriends it, but when its old enemy comes calling, she must try to save it.
Recommended for readers from tween to adult who miss the beach or enjoy seaside settings, or who enjoy a straightforward adventure without too many complications.
Content/Parental concerns: no swearing (beyond a few isolated mild things on the level of "what the hell was that"), no nudity/making out/kissing/sex, no drugs/alcohol/drunkenness, no racism, no islamophobia, no homophobia or transphobia, no police violence; Pearl gets picked on by some classmates (mean/snarky comments) but no sustained vicious bullying or physical bullying; two shady antagonists try to get cash-strapped Pearl to help them with their abalone-poaching
September 10, 2022
J'ai craqué pour cette belle BD ! L'histoire de Pearl est vraiment belle et touchante, les auteurs abordent la pauvreté, la difficulté à trouver du travail, les relations familiales et amicales... Tout un panel bien emmené et surtout porté par le dessin et les couleurs superbes. J'ai vraiment passé un excellent moment, du début à la fin.
October 31, 2022
تجربة مبهرة للدخول الى عالم الكومكس من جديد عبر "لؤلؤة البحر" رواية جميلة عن وفاء الاصدقاء و مغامرات مراهقة حسنت من وضع اهلها بسبب قلبها الطيب .
برافوووووو 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
برافوووووو 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
September 1, 2024
صفر نجمة:
1) قصة مكررة
2) شخصيات مكررة
وأولًا وأخيرًا وكافيًا
الرواية بها إيحاءات فاحشة قوم لوط عليه السلام
LGBTQ
للأسف الشخصية الرئيسية لو كانت ولد وليست فتاة أفضل مرسومة بطريقة غريبة ملامح أولاد وشخصية ولد لكن بقناع فتاة
ومن العجب ان الكاتب رجل ويكتب شخصية أنثوية من أيّ عمر هناك من يتقن كتابة النساء مثل أحمد خالد توفيق وروبيرت بيتي كاتب سيرافينا
Robert betty Serafina and the black clock
أنثى سيرافينا وحتى روينا أنثى
ومنهم من يود كتابة شخصية أنثوية فقط. جاهل بشخصية ونفسية الإناث وتفكيرهن
وفوق هذا يفرض عليها قيم ذكورية.
هناك فتيات ونساء يجنن وتقسي عليهن الحياة مثل كاتنيس أفردين بطلة مباريات الجوع لكنها تضعف وتقوى وتبكي وتقسو وتضحك وتلين
هي كأي أنثى تعرف انها لن تجابه الرجال وجهًا لوجه بالحيلة كانت تقنص الأعداء بعكس الشاب بيتا والذي كان يحمل أكياس الطحين على كتفه ويصارع الشبان الآخرين عندما تقرأ الرواية دون معرفة الشخصيات ستعرف أن المتكلم فتاة والشخصية أنثى.
ومثالين مشابهين لفتاتين حقيقيتين
أيريل حورية البحر تغامر لكنها أنثى
BRAVE
وميريدا من فيلم الشجاع تغامر وتحب المغامرة لكنها تبدو فتاة وتتصرف كما تتصرف البنات ولو كانت فوضوية قليلًا لكنها لم ترخ كما صرخ والدها والرجال معلنين الحرب على الوحش ولم تسحبه لأنها أنثى وجسدها جسد أنثى وقوتها قوة أنثى
نادر ان تكون أنثى أقوى من الرجال نادر جدًا
غالب الإناث رقيقات ويتفاوتن في الرقة منهن من يصعب عليها حمل صينية الكعك من الفرن ومنهن من يصعب عليها دفع كرسي أو مكتب. لكن هذا لا يعني
انها تغامر لجزيرة وتدخل كهف مظلم وحدها الرجال لا يمانعون أن يغامروا وحدهم او المشي في مكان مظلم وليلًا النساء في الغالب تصاب بسكتة من الفكرة وحدها.
لكن في رواية قصصية كهذه فوق ضعف الحبكة وتكرارها. ولا صفحة ولا رسمة تشعر القارئ بجديد كلها مكررة والشخصية مكررة لكن هذه المرة فتاة! لا تنكرو التغير رائع أليس كذلك؟
للأسف. بل مروع وغير مفهوم ولو سألت أي شخص عن قيمة وحكمة جميلة من هذه القصة المصورة لن يجيب إلا ب:
هي تذكرني بفلم
أو
هذه القصة المكررة لا جديد
أو
هذه الرواية لتعذيب وفي سلة التكرار.
لن تُذكر وليست مميزة
كل شيء في الحياة يكتب ويفعل لغاية ولسبب وهدف وفكرة
ألمغزى أن تتاجر الفتيات أو حتى الصبيان في السوق الممنوعة
وتعمل أعمال غير شرعية
وتخالف أوامر والدها والذي يجتهد ليل نهار لتأمين لها لقمة عيش وفوق هذا تصعب عليه حياتي وتبقيه على أعصابه؟!
ولا تدعمه ولا تساعده ولا تشاركه ولا تسمع همومة وتساعده في إجاد حل
منطوية منزوية متفردة ولا تتكلم إلا مع فتاة بشكل غريب في الرواية وشاركتها وهي معرفة دقائق ووالدها الذي يتكبد العناء لا تلعب معه ولا تتكلم معه ولا تشاركه ولو بكوب شاي
الرواية تزخر بالسخافات واللامنطقية
ولا أنصح بها على الإطلاق فكرة دون فكرة.
من المؤلم أن الرسم جميل والطباعة جميلة والتصميم وكل هذا المجهود الجميل يُصب في غير أهله.
من المزعج أن الكتاب الذين يرفضون ولا يقبلون هذه الأمراض النفسية وفي نفس الوقت لا يملكون الشجاعة للمواجه فيضطرون
لعتق أنفسهم من عتاب المزعجين بإلقاء شخصية جانبية بعيدة عن الشخصية الرئيسية.
بهذا ضربو عصفورين بحجرٍ واحد كتبو ما يحبون وألقو عظمة لهم.
فوق إصرارهم وفرض انفسهم على العالم والواقع حتى في أعمال الناس الخيالية والأدبية والتي يجتهدون في كتابتها
لأشهر وسنوات وهي حيز حرية خاص. يتناهشون الكل ليعترفو بهم. وهم يتجاهلون حق الشخص في كتابة ما يشاء وما يحلو له وأن له مساحة حرية.
هداهم الله وهذه مقاطع لعلها تُجيب وتريح ضائعًا وتائهًا
الهوية الجندرية وهم ولا حقيقة؟ ذكر ولا أنثى؟ كشف الأجندة : هل هو اضطراب هوية جنسية أم ثقافة الجندر ؟
Born This Way" or "Social Influence": Reasons for LGBT’s Rise Among Gen-Z |@FadelSoliman212�
1) قصة مكررة
2) شخصيات مكررة
وأولًا وأخيرًا وكافيًا
الرواية بها إيحاءات فاحشة قوم لوط عليه السلام
LGBTQ
للأسف الشخصية الرئيسية لو كانت ولد وليست فتاة أفضل مرسومة بطريقة غريبة ملامح أولاد وشخصية ولد لكن بقناع فتاة
ومن العجب ان الكاتب رجل ويكتب شخصية أنثوية من أيّ عمر هناك من يتقن كتابة النساء مثل أحمد خالد توفيق وروبيرت بيتي كاتب سيرافينا
Robert betty Serafina and the black clock
أنثى سيرافينا وحتى روينا أنثى
ومنهم من يود كتابة شخصية أنثوية فقط. جاهل بشخصية ونفسية الإناث وتفكيرهن
وفوق هذا يفرض عليها قيم ذكورية.
هناك فتيات ونساء يجنن وتقسي عليهن الحياة مثل كاتنيس أفردين بطلة مباريات الجوع لكنها تضعف وتقوى وتبكي وتقسو وتضحك وتلين
هي كأي أنثى تعرف انها لن تجابه الرجال وجهًا لوجه بالحيلة كانت تقنص الأعداء بعكس الشاب بيتا والذي كان يحمل أكياس الطحين على كتفه ويصارع الشبان الآخرين عندما تقرأ الرواية دون معرفة الشخصيات ستعرف أن المتكلم فتاة والشخصية أنثى.
ومثالين مشابهين لفتاتين حقيقيتين
أيريل حورية البحر تغامر لكنها أنثى
BRAVE
وميريدا من فيلم الشجاع تغامر وتحب المغامرة لكنها تبدو فتاة وتتصرف كما تتصرف البنات ولو كانت فوضوية قليلًا لكنها لم ترخ كما صرخ والدها والرجال معلنين الحرب على الوحش ولم تسحبه لأنها أنثى وجسدها جسد أنثى وقوتها قوة أنثى
نادر ان تكون أنثى أقوى من الرجال نادر جدًا
غالب الإناث رقيقات ويتفاوتن في الرقة منهن من يصعب عليها حمل صينية الكعك من الفرن ومنهن من يصعب عليها دفع كرسي أو مكتب. لكن هذا لا يعني
انها تغامر لجزيرة وتدخل كهف مظلم وحدها الرجال لا يمانعون أن يغامروا وحدهم او المشي في مكان مظلم وليلًا النساء في الغالب تصاب بسكتة من الفكرة وحدها.
لكن في رواية قصصية كهذه فوق ضعف الحبكة وتكرارها. ولا صفحة ولا رسمة تشعر القارئ بجديد كلها مكررة والشخصية مكررة لكن هذه المرة فتاة! لا تنكرو التغير رائع أليس كذلك؟
للأسف. بل مروع وغير مفهوم ولو سألت أي شخص عن قيمة وحكمة جميلة من هذه القصة المصورة لن يجيب إلا ب:
هي تذكرني بفلم
أو
هذه القصة المكررة لا جديد
أو
هذه الرواية لتعذيب وفي سلة التكرار.
لن تُذكر وليست مميزة
كل شيء في الحياة يكتب ويفعل لغاية ولسبب وهدف وفكرة
ألمغزى أن تتاجر الفتيات أو حتى الصبيان في السوق الممنوعة
وتعمل أعمال غير شرعية
وتخالف أوامر والدها والذي يجتهد ليل نهار لتأمين لها لقمة عيش وفوق هذا تصعب عليه حياتي وتبقيه على أعصابه؟!
ولا تدعمه ولا تساعده ولا تشاركه ولا تسمع همومة وتساعده في إجاد حل
منطوية منزوية متفردة ولا تتكلم إلا مع فتاة بشكل غريب في الرواية وشاركتها وهي معرفة دقائق ووالدها الذي يتكبد العناء لا تلعب معه ولا تتكلم معه ولا تشاركه ولو بكوب شاي
الرواية تزخر بالسخافات واللامنطقية
ولا أنصح بها على الإطلاق فكرة دون فكرة.
من المؤلم أن الرسم جميل والطباعة جميلة والتصميم وكل هذا المجهود الجميل يُصب في غير أهله.
من المزعج أن الكتاب الذين يرفضون ولا يقبلون هذه الأمراض النفسية وفي نفس الوقت لا يملكون الشجاعة للمواجه فيضطرون
لعتق أنفسهم من عتاب المزعجين بإلقاء شخصية جانبية بعيدة عن الشخصية الرئيسية.
بهذا ضربو عصفورين بحجرٍ واحد كتبو ما يحبون وألقو عظمة لهم.
فوق إصرارهم وفرض انفسهم على العالم والواقع حتى في أعمال الناس الخيالية والأدبية والتي يجتهدون في كتابتها
لأشهر وسنوات وهي حيز حرية خاص. يتناهشون الكل ليعترفو بهم. وهم يتجاهلون حق الشخص في كتابة ما يشاء وما يحلو له وأن له مساحة حرية.
هداهم الله وهذه مقاطع لعلها تُجيب وتريح ضائعًا وتائهًا
الهوية الجندرية وهم ولا حقيقة؟ ذكر ولا أنثى؟ كشف الأجندة : هل هو اضطراب هوية جنسية أم ثقافة الجندر ؟
Born This Way" or "Social Influence": Reasons for LGBT’s Rise Among Gen-Z |@FadelSoliman212�
July 7, 2023
Pearl of the Sea
Catalyst Press
Anthony Silverston; Willem Samuel; and Raffaella Donne Delle temporarily in France.
Review: Karen Watkins
This fantastical adventure comes from the award-winning animation team Triggerfish Studios in Bergvliet. The large, glossy, full colour fantasy graphic book is written by Anthony Silverston of Woodstock and Raffaella Donne Delle temporarily in France with illustrations by Willem Samuel of Claremont. The team are behind the films Khumba, Zambezia and Seal Team.
Silverston says graphic novels are popular world-wide and demand for them keeps growing but there are few made in Africa or told from an African perspective. Animation and graphic novels involve similar processes such as writing, storyboarding and character design, so it was logical for Triggerfish to expand into this form of visual storytelling. Making an animated movie takes a helluva lot of time and money, so graphic novels allow us to get more of our home-grown stories out there, says Sivertson. Plus, in a country with high illiteracy levels, it’s a great way to expose young people to stories they can identify with, while encouraging them to read.
This story is about a friendship between a girl and sea monster. Pearl’s preferred habitat is exploring the ocean with snorkel, goggles, fins and her one-eyed mongrel Moby. At school the teenager has no friends although Naomi would like to change this.
Pearl’s mother has vanished from their home in a sleepy coastal South African town. Her dad has lost his job as a chef and is struggling to settle the bills. Facing financial insecurity, Pearl starts fishing to help out but gets caught up with local poachers who swap money for perlemoen.
While diving in a restricted area, Pearl meets a massive misunderstood monster hiding in a shipwreck. Luring it out with fish heads she notices the many harpoons protruding from its tentacles. Naming him Otto she finds a way to remove them. The pair grows closer until the poachers decide to finish what they started. Pearl is the only one who can save him, but only if she has the courage to let go of her past and open up to others.
The story is often told through wordless panels of oceanic, sunsets, action and larger than life characters leaving the imagination to run riot. The heroine is smart, brave and relatable to readers of all ages and tackles the complexities of poaching, families and friendships. It’s reminiscent of Herge’s Tintin books and is thoroughly recommended.
Catalyst Press
Anthony Silverston; Willem Samuel; and Raffaella Donne Delle temporarily in France.
Review: Karen Watkins
This fantastical adventure comes from the award-winning animation team Triggerfish Studios in Bergvliet. The large, glossy, full colour fantasy graphic book is written by Anthony Silverston of Woodstock and Raffaella Donne Delle temporarily in France with illustrations by Willem Samuel of Claremont. The team are behind the films Khumba, Zambezia and Seal Team.
Silverston says graphic novels are popular world-wide and demand for them keeps growing but there are few made in Africa or told from an African perspective. Animation and graphic novels involve similar processes such as writing, storyboarding and character design, so it was logical for Triggerfish to expand into this form of visual storytelling. Making an animated movie takes a helluva lot of time and money, so graphic novels allow us to get more of our home-grown stories out there, says Sivertson. Plus, in a country with high illiteracy levels, it’s a great way to expose young people to stories they can identify with, while encouraging them to read.
This story is about a friendship between a girl and sea monster. Pearl’s preferred habitat is exploring the ocean with snorkel, goggles, fins and her one-eyed mongrel Moby. At school the teenager has no friends although Naomi would like to change this.
Pearl’s mother has vanished from their home in a sleepy coastal South African town. Her dad has lost his job as a chef and is struggling to settle the bills. Facing financial insecurity, Pearl starts fishing to help out but gets caught up with local poachers who swap money for perlemoen.
While diving in a restricted area, Pearl meets a massive misunderstood monster hiding in a shipwreck. Luring it out with fish heads she notices the many harpoons protruding from its tentacles. Naming him Otto she finds a way to remove them. The pair grows closer until the poachers decide to finish what they started. Pearl is the only one who can save him, but only if she has the courage to let go of her past and open up to others.
The story is often told through wordless panels of oceanic, sunsets, action and larger than life characters leaving the imagination to run riot. The heroine is smart, brave and relatable to readers of all ages and tackles the complexities of poaching, families and friendships. It’s reminiscent of Herge’s Tintin books and is thoroughly recommended.
November 23, 2022
Incontournable Août 2022
Une sympathique trouvaille au rayon de la BD jeunesse Intermédiaire, avec ce tome unique mettant en vedette une jeune fille attachante et rafraichissante qui devient amie avec une sorte de kraken, aussi affectueux qu'imposant.
Pearl habite un petit village côtier qui semble devenu bien pauvre. Comme son père travaille au mieux pour arriver à payer leur toit et leur nourriture, Pearl est souvent seule. Grande amoureuse de la mer, elle plonge pour trouver des fruits de mer qu'elle peut revendre. Un jour, alors qu'elle découvre une épave au fond d'une zone interdite, elle fait en même temps une trouvaille de taille en la personne d'Otto, un immense céphalopode. La pauvre créature est criblée de harpon. Quand Pearl tente de l'appâter pour en tirer profit, ses manœuvres finissent par tourner au sauvetage. Dès le moment où elle parvient à extraire les harpons, la créature se montre étonnamment amicale et dotée d'une grande intelligence. Même sa couleur de base, un violette pâle un peu maussade, vire au bleu électrique quand il est en la présence de Pearl. C'est le début d'une grande amitié, mais comme toutes les histoires de monstres, les avares et les braconniers ne sont jamais bien loin.
Déjà, je dois dire que j'adore Pearl. Elle a une dégaine charmante, avec des cheveux en épis visiblement incoiffables, de grands yeux expressifs, un style décontracté et des mimiques comiques. C'est un "poisson", une excellente nageuse. Sa locomotion change d'ailleurs dans l'eau, elle devient plus souple, plus fluide. Sa combinaison est classe, également. Pearl est une enfant qui se sent délaissée et cela va faire d'elle une ado débrouillarde, audacieuse, mais aussi peu sérieuse quand à ses études et solitaire. Elle a du mal à accepter les départ de sa mère, dont elle garde un bracelet. Il y a aussi Naomi, cette jeune fille qui est sa voisine de pupitre, pour qui elle semble avoir le béguin, mais avec qui il est difficile pour elle de parler. Pearl semble avoir une certaine maladresse avec la socialisation et semble avoir l'impression de ne pas être assez bien pour les autres, surtout avec un père absent et une mère disparue. Heureusement, elle gagne l'amitié d'Otto et elle a aussi Moby ( Oh, la référence à Moby Dick, fort �� propos) , un adorable chien qui n'a qu'un œil. J'aime beaucoup la représentation de l'héroïne sur la couverture, avec cette belle carrure d'épaules, et cette pose décidée.
Otto, oh cet adorable grosse pieuvre, franchement, je vous met au défis de ne pas le trouver à croquer, ce personnage! Otto a une faculté étrange lui permettant de changer de couleurs avec son humeur. Quand il est en mode défensif ou qu'il est en colère, il prend une alarmante couleur écarlate et sa peau se hérisse de pointes. Au repos, il a une triste nuance rosette et quand il est heureux, c'est le bleu éclatant électrique mentionné plus haut. Ses yeux sont très expressifs et ses tentacules font office de mains. La case où Pearl trouve un coquillage à offrir à Naomie, alors qu'Otto fait exactement le même geste avec le même regard appréciateur avec un requin blanc était hilarante: "Oh, le beau coquillage! "Oh, le bel encas!" Hihihi - pauvre requin. Otto est très probablement un kraken, un peu plus petit que certaines représentations déjà exprimées dans d'autres œuvres, mais assurément plus sympathique. Victime de sa taille et manifestement un rare spécimen, il a été la proie de marins peu scrupuleux.
L'histoire en soit est relativement déjà vue, avec un personnage atypique rencontrant un "monstre" et devra le protéger d'humains sanguinaires. Mais ce n'est pas tant l'histoire que son traitement que j'ai apprécié. Même les histoires simples peuvent être magiques quand on y met la bonne dose d'humour et de sensibilité. Pearl et Otto sont différents et méfiants de ce fait, deux éléments qui se font écho entre eux deux. Certains éléments sont un peu faciles, comme le fait que les braconniers ont utiliser une seule fléchette soporifique pour endormir Otto et je me demande comment ils sont parvenus à le mettre dans leur bateau vu sa masse considérable. Je me demande aussi si on peut réellement nager si longtemps sous l'eau avec un simple tuba, mais comme je n,ai aucune expérience en la matière, j'ignore si c'est plausible. Les évènements s'enchainent bien, mais là encore, peut être un peu facilement sur certains points. Enfin, la transition entre le projet de Pearl a pécher Otto et son changement d'idée pour lui venir en aide manquait de clarté, car à aucun moment elle nus informe de son changement d'avis.
Reste que c'est une jolie histoire, visuellement attirante. Je souligne aussi que Pearl est gay, on a donc une petite romance entre filles ici, mais rien de majeur. C'est cependant toujours une joie de voir la diversité mise de l'avant. Enfin, certains trouveront "facile" la réaction du père de Pearl, quand il la suit dans sa tentative de sauver Otto, mais en même temps, c'est exactement ce qu'il faut à Pearl: un papa qui se montre présent. Ce dernier fait visiblement de son mieux pour sa fille et il est bon de présenter aussi ces parents qui savent que certains évènements requiert leur inconditionnelle présence. En cela, je trouve donc le choix de cette réaction logique et censée.
En fond de trame, nous avons l'enjeu de la pauvreté. le braconnage marin est rependu dans le monde et revient bien souvent au facteur de la pauvreté. Je remarque à la couleur de peau des habitants qu'il semble y avoir les "natifs" et les "colons blancs". Nous sommes peut-être dans ces endroits du monde où le colonialisme a eu des effets délétères. En outre, on assiste à ce qu'on appelle une "parentification" quand un jeune, enfant ou ado, a des responsabilités et/ou des préoccupations qui incombent normalement aux adultes. En ce sens, ce n'est pas "normal" que Pearl "travaille" a payer les dettes de leur foyer. Ce n'est pas un jugement, c'est un constat et il est souhaitable de représenter ces jeunes qui se retrouvent dans cette situation.
Graphiquement, c'est dynamique, fluide, souvent comique. Certains traitement, comme les hachures en fond ou les cases obliques, me rappelle certaines Bd de super héros. Les éclaboussures sont un peu moches car elles sont monochromes et triangulaires. En revanche, les transitions de couleurs et les palettes de couleurs sont magnifiques. le fait de garder le trait noir pour les personnages et les objets, de ne pas les utiliser pour les décors, est un bon choix. Cela rend le tout plus doux. Les positions corporelles sont variées et dynamiques. Certaines scènes font pleine page, parfois double-page, comme la scène dans le musée où Pearl et Naomi partage un moment au fond d'un abysse, où les silhouettes sont en bioluminescence 9 joli!) et certaines scènes avec Otto, dans lesquels on cerne mieux son immense gabarit et sa force colossale. Enfin, j'aime le traitement couleur du ciel, surtout les transitions du crépuscule et de l'aurore.
Donc, malgré quelques petites choses qui auraient pu être retravaillées, dans l'ensemble, j'aime le style de la BD, l'humour présent et l'amitié touchante entre deux êtres atypiques. Une BD qui montre également que les filles aussi peuvent être courageuses, surtout aux garçons qui ont encore du mal à choisir des BD ayant une héroïne comme personnage principal.
À voir!
Catégorisation: troisième cycle primaire, 10-12 ans.
Note: 8/10
Une sympathique trouvaille au rayon de la BD jeunesse Intermédiaire, avec ce tome unique mettant en vedette une jeune fille attachante et rafraichissante qui devient amie avec une sorte de kraken, aussi affectueux qu'imposant.
Pearl habite un petit village côtier qui semble devenu bien pauvre. Comme son père travaille au mieux pour arriver à payer leur toit et leur nourriture, Pearl est souvent seule. Grande amoureuse de la mer, elle plonge pour trouver des fruits de mer qu'elle peut revendre. Un jour, alors qu'elle découvre une épave au fond d'une zone interdite, elle fait en même temps une trouvaille de taille en la personne d'Otto, un immense céphalopode. La pauvre créature est criblée de harpon. Quand Pearl tente de l'appâter pour en tirer profit, ses manœuvres finissent par tourner au sauvetage. Dès le moment où elle parvient à extraire les harpons, la créature se montre étonnamment amicale et dotée d'une grande intelligence. Même sa couleur de base, un violette pâle un peu maussade, vire au bleu électrique quand il est en la présence de Pearl. C'est le début d'une grande amitié, mais comme toutes les histoires de monstres, les avares et les braconniers ne sont jamais bien loin.
Déjà, je dois dire que j'adore Pearl. Elle a une dégaine charmante, avec des cheveux en épis visiblement incoiffables, de grands yeux expressifs, un style décontracté et des mimiques comiques. C'est un "poisson", une excellente nageuse. Sa locomotion change d'ailleurs dans l'eau, elle devient plus souple, plus fluide. Sa combinaison est classe, également. Pearl est une enfant qui se sent délaissée et cela va faire d'elle une ado débrouillarde, audacieuse, mais aussi peu sérieuse quand à ses études et solitaire. Elle a du mal à accepter les départ de sa mère, dont elle garde un bracelet. Il y a aussi Naomi, cette jeune fille qui est sa voisine de pupitre, pour qui elle semble avoir le béguin, mais avec qui il est difficile pour elle de parler. Pearl semble avoir une certaine maladresse avec la socialisation et semble avoir l'impression de ne pas être assez bien pour les autres, surtout avec un père absent et une mère disparue. Heureusement, elle gagne l'amitié d'Otto et elle a aussi Moby ( Oh, la référence à Moby Dick, fort �� propos) , un adorable chien qui n'a qu'un œil. J'aime beaucoup la représentation de l'héroïne sur la couverture, avec cette belle carrure d'épaules, et cette pose décidée.
Otto, oh cet adorable grosse pieuvre, franchement, je vous met au défis de ne pas le trouver à croquer, ce personnage! Otto a une faculté étrange lui permettant de changer de couleurs avec son humeur. Quand il est en mode défensif ou qu'il est en colère, il prend une alarmante couleur écarlate et sa peau se hérisse de pointes. Au repos, il a une triste nuance rosette et quand il est heureux, c'est le bleu éclatant électrique mentionné plus haut. Ses yeux sont très expressifs et ses tentacules font office de mains. La case où Pearl trouve un coquillage à offrir à Naomie, alors qu'Otto fait exactement le même geste avec le même regard appréciateur avec un requin blanc était hilarante: "Oh, le beau coquillage! "Oh, le bel encas!" Hihihi - pauvre requin. Otto est très probablement un kraken, un peu plus petit que certaines représentations déjà exprimées dans d'autres œuvres, mais assurément plus sympathique. Victime de sa taille et manifestement un rare spécimen, il a été la proie de marins peu scrupuleux.
L'histoire en soit est relativement déjà vue, avec un personnage atypique rencontrant un "monstre" et devra le protéger d'humains sanguinaires. Mais ce n'est pas tant l'histoire que son traitement que j'ai apprécié. Même les histoires simples peuvent être magiques quand on y met la bonne dose d'humour et de sensibilité. Pearl et Otto sont différents et méfiants de ce fait, deux éléments qui se font écho entre eux deux. Certains éléments sont un peu faciles, comme le fait que les braconniers ont utiliser une seule fléchette soporifique pour endormir Otto et je me demande comment ils sont parvenus à le mettre dans leur bateau vu sa masse considérable. Je me demande aussi si on peut réellement nager si longtemps sous l'eau avec un simple tuba, mais comme je n,ai aucune expérience en la matière, j'ignore si c'est plausible. Les évènements s'enchainent bien, mais là encore, peut être un peu facilement sur certains points. Enfin, la transition entre le projet de Pearl a pécher Otto et son changement d'idée pour lui venir en aide manquait de clarté, car à aucun moment elle nus informe de son changement d'avis.
Reste que c'est une jolie histoire, visuellement attirante. Je souligne aussi que Pearl est gay, on a donc une petite romance entre filles ici, mais rien de majeur. C'est cependant toujours une joie de voir la diversité mise de l'avant. Enfin, certains trouveront "facile" la réaction du père de Pearl, quand il la suit dans sa tentative de sauver Otto, mais en même temps, c'est exactement ce qu'il faut à Pearl: un papa qui se montre présent. Ce dernier fait visiblement de son mieux pour sa fille et il est bon de présenter aussi ces parents qui savent que certains évènements requiert leur inconditionnelle présence. En cela, je trouve donc le choix de cette réaction logique et censée.
En fond de trame, nous avons l'enjeu de la pauvreté. le braconnage marin est rependu dans le monde et revient bien souvent au facteur de la pauvreté. Je remarque à la couleur de peau des habitants qu'il semble y avoir les "natifs" et les "colons blancs". Nous sommes peut-être dans ces endroits du monde où le colonialisme a eu des effets délétères. En outre, on assiste à ce qu'on appelle une "parentification" quand un jeune, enfant ou ado, a des responsabilités et/ou des préoccupations qui incombent normalement aux adultes. En ce sens, ce n'est pas "normal" que Pearl "travaille" a payer les dettes de leur foyer. Ce n'est pas un jugement, c'est un constat et il est souhaitable de représenter ces jeunes qui se retrouvent dans cette situation.
Graphiquement, c'est dynamique, fluide, souvent comique. Certains traitement, comme les hachures en fond ou les cases obliques, me rappelle certaines Bd de super héros. Les éclaboussures sont un peu moches car elles sont monochromes et triangulaires. En revanche, les transitions de couleurs et les palettes de couleurs sont magnifiques. le fait de garder le trait noir pour les personnages et les objets, de ne pas les utiliser pour les décors, est un bon choix. Cela rend le tout plus doux. Les positions corporelles sont variées et dynamiques. Certaines scènes font pleine page, parfois double-page, comme la scène dans le musée où Pearl et Naomi partage un moment au fond d'un abysse, où les silhouettes sont en bioluminescence 9 joli!) et certaines scènes avec Otto, dans lesquels on cerne mieux son immense gabarit et sa force colossale. Enfin, j'aime le traitement couleur du ciel, surtout les transitions du crépuscule et de l'aurore.
Donc, malgré quelques petites choses qui auraient pu être retravaillées, dans l'ensemble, j'aime le style de la BD, l'humour présent et l'amitié touchante entre deux êtres atypiques. Une BD qui montre également que les filles aussi peuvent être courageuses, surtout aux garçons qui ont encore du mal à choisir des BD ayant une héroïne comme personnage principal.
À voir!
Catégorisation: troisième cycle primaire, 10-12 ans.
Note: 8/10
March 8, 2023
Pearl lives with her father and one-eyed dog in a gritty fishing village. As the town sinks further into poverty, her father has a hard time finding work to pay the bills, and Pearl steps in. With her love of diving, she spends more and more time ditching school and illegally hunting for abalone to sell. It helps out to have more money at home, and frees her from the grief of missing her mother. One day she finds a shipwreck underwater behind a fence. There’s a gigantic sea creature lying near the wreck. When she frees a spear from its side, the creature’s eyes open. Over the course of several dives, Pearl removes more spears from the creature, and it seems grateful. She names it Otto, and thus begins a friendship. She spends more and more time with Otto, ignoring the attention of Naomi, a cute school friend, and her father. Pearl doesn’t notice when other more nefarious actors follow her and want to trap Otto, with the idea of profiting from him somehow.
This story of a kid trying to manage grief and poverty is hard to put down. There’s adventure, danger, and a bit of humor. And, a misunderstood giant squid. I love the undersea diving scenes � readers will feel Pearl’s freedom from stress when she’s down there. Pearl’s father wants to give her a normal life, wishing that she’d get interested in boys. Pearl slyly sidesteps the statement, and the reader sees that she is working on telling him she’s gay. Black and brown people dominate the characters in the seaside fishing village, and all the characters are satisfyingly eccentric. Readers will love to hate the evil factory owner, who reminds me of Edna Mode from the movie The Despicables. I like the notebook size format � it allows the sweeping sea vistas to really pop. In short, this magical fantasy adventure has lots to love, and I hope it finds its way into the hands of fantasy loving teens.
Note: the printing quality was not great � there are shadowy vertical lines over several pages. Hopefully this can be corrected.
This story of a kid trying to manage grief and poverty is hard to put down. There’s adventure, danger, and a bit of humor. And, a misunderstood giant squid. I love the undersea diving scenes � readers will feel Pearl’s freedom from stress when she’s down there. Pearl’s father wants to give her a normal life, wishing that she’d get interested in boys. Pearl slyly sidesteps the statement, and the reader sees that she is working on telling him she’s gay. Black and brown people dominate the characters in the seaside fishing village, and all the characters are satisfyingly eccentric. Readers will love to hate the evil factory owner, who reminds me of Edna Mode from the movie The Despicables. I like the notebook size format � it allows the sweeping sea vistas to really pop. In short, this magical fantasy adventure has lots to love, and I hope it finds its way into the hands of fantasy loving teens.
Note: the printing quality was not great � there are shadowy vertical lines over several pages. Hopefully this can be corrected.
July 21, 2023
Pearl's town is on the brink of economic collapse, and her dad - a chef - wants to move to a larger city where there will be more work opportunities. But Pearl loves living on the sea; she spends her days diving in deep water, exploring for treasure, and (sometimes) cutting class. Desperate to stay in the town she loves, Pearl takes a job illegally collecting abalone shells for some sketchy people to earn enough money to pay rent. She knows exactly where she can find a lot of shells: the restricted ship wreak zone just off the coast. She'll have to break in, but that's no problem for Pearl! However, when she gets there, she finds far more than she expected and accidentally awakens an ancient sea monster that will change everything.
Pearl of the Sea is a fast-paced South African story of adventure and the connection between humans and nature. It uses few words and lots of beautiful, compelling, and cinematic illustrations.
One thing to note: my library's copies are much larger than I had expected - the size of a small textbook, which is not ideal for bringing to school booktalks. Thankfully they are pretty light so I'm sure we can make it work. (Though I am curious why the book was made this size. Perhaps this is the typical size of graphic novels and comics from South Africa? Or perhaps to better accommodate the full-page designs?)
Pearl of the Sea is a fast-paced South African story of adventure and the connection between humans and nature. It uses few words and lots of beautiful, compelling, and cinematic illustrations.
One thing to note: my library's copies are much larger than I had expected - the size of a small textbook, which is not ideal for bringing to school booktalks. Thankfully they are pretty light so I'm sure we can make it work. (Though I am curious why the book was made this size. Perhaps this is the typical size of graphic novels and comics from South Africa? Or perhaps to better accommodate the full-page designs?)
December 24, 2024
Pearl is an older girl, forced to go diving to keep a roof over the heads of her and her deadbeat dad. In an area that looks strangely restricted, she finds a wounded sea monster, but tending to the harpoons stuck through its tentacles � and deciding it's called Otto � they become friends, and before long she is gaining from his collaborative � and much better � fishing prowess. But none of this is going unnoticed...
I think the issue is that a lot of these pages are wordless � not much dialogue to be had by one girl on her own underwater � and so the whole thing feels a little slight. Even when there are multiple characters and drama and scenes of action, it's over a touch rapidly, and so this is definitely a lighter kind of read. But for someone who doesn't read many books it may be what they need to enjoy a full-sized graphic novel. It's certainly not stated as just for reluctant readers, and a much larger audience will find something to like in its slightly old-fashioned appeal. For me, it had some of the spirit, light morals and decent drama of a Children's Film Foundation piece, and its questioning of who and what is a monster is welcome. Four stars might be a wavelet too generous, but this is distinctive enough to be just about there.
I think the issue is that a lot of these pages are wordless � not much dialogue to be had by one girl on her own underwater � and so the whole thing feels a little slight. Even when there are multiple characters and drama and scenes of action, it's over a touch rapidly, and so this is definitely a lighter kind of read. But for someone who doesn't read many books it may be what they need to enjoy a full-sized graphic novel. It's certainly not stated as just for reluctant readers, and a much larger audience will find something to like in its slightly old-fashioned appeal. For me, it had some of the spirit, light morals and decent drama of a Children's Film Foundation piece, and its questioning of who and what is a monster is welcome. Four stars might be a wavelet too generous, but this is distinctive enough to be just about there.
September 22, 2023
For more bookish opinions, visit my blog:
A heartwarming story of friendship, family, forgiveness, and moving forward. With the looming threat of not making rent and having to move away from the sea, Pearl gives in to the temptation of illegal abalone poaching. But during her dives, she makes a strange discovery, a giant sea monster she names Otto. Their unlikely friendship develops, but soon the past starts catching up with them both.
The artwork is absolutely stunning. Beautiful scenery. Great movement. Every one of Pearl's dives are breathtaking. I especially loved Otto's design. It was really cool how they worked in traits of real octopuses, such as changing color and morphing their bodies. And all of Moby's expressions were perfection.
Nice pacing on the story itself. It's fairly quick and keeps the reader engaged. Great themes of opening up to new experiences and relationships, and letting go of the past. Also touches are some darker topics such as the pressure of going against your own morals to make money, holding grudges, and parental abandonment.
A fantastic read with a lot of heart.
A heartwarming story of friendship, family, forgiveness, and moving forward. With the looming threat of not making rent and having to move away from the sea, Pearl gives in to the temptation of illegal abalone poaching. But during her dives, she makes a strange discovery, a giant sea monster she names Otto. Their unlikely friendship develops, but soon the past starts catching up with them both.
The artwork is absolutely stunning. Beautiful scenery. Great movement. Every one of Pearl's dives are breathtaking. I especially loved Otto's design. It was really cool how they worked in traits of real octopuses, such as changing color and morphing their bodies. And all of Moby's expressions were perfection.
Nice pacing on the story itself. It's fairly quick and keeps the reader engaged. Great themes of opening up to new experiences and relationships, and letting go of the past. Also touches are some darker topics such as the pressure of going against your own morals to make money, holding grudges, and parental abandonment.
A fantastic read with a lot of heart.
July 13, 2023
"Pearl of the sea" is a graphic novel about a girl name Pearl that lives in a fishing village that has seen better days. Her dad can't find work bc the town is fairly deserted of tourists, so she has to find a way to help pay the bills so they don't have to move to the city. Pearl loves to fish, and begins to search for shellfish and such to sell to poaches to make quick cash. On her journeys to the sea, she meets a giant octopus and saves him, becoming his friend. But what will happen when other villagers find out about her octopus friend, especially the poachers?
This book was an exciting novel about a girl and her love for the sea. There is a cute, but unnecessary romantic subplot, but the main plot is about doing the right thing and the growth of Pearl's friendship with the octopus. I loved the art style, and the graphic novel took about 20 minutes to read. 4/5 stars because the plot was very surface level.
This book was an exciting novel about a girl and her love for the sea. There is a cute, but unnecessary romantic subplot, but the main plot is about doing the right thing and the growth of Pearl's friendship with the octopus. I loved the art style, and the graphic novel took about 20 minutes to read. 4/5 stars because the plot was very surface level.
October 2, 2023
That lobster!!!! 😂😂😂
tik.... tik.... tik....
Since her mother left, Pearl has spent more time in the ocean then on land, fishing and searching for ways to help her father pay the bills. But when she gets mixed up with a group of illegal poachers and starts diving near a restricted wreck, Pearl meets an ancient sea monster named Otto,
but the poor thing is just in pain and lonely and soo soo sooo adorably cute!
And when Otto’s enemies come back to finish what they started, Pearl is the only one who can save him, but only if she has the courage to let go of her past and open up to others—including the girl from class she’s got a crush on.
Otto's facial expressions are just spot on! 😍
This is a comic, a graphic novel. The colours, the illustrations, the whole of it all. There isn't much text, just enough to have something to read, but you don't mis the "lack" of. It tells the story perfectly without words!
tik.... tik.... tik....
Since her mother left, Pearl has spent more time in the ocean then on land, fishing and searching for ways to help her father pay the bills. But when she gets mixed up with a group of illegal poachers and starts diving near a restricted wreck, Pearl meets an ancient sea monster named Otto,
but the poor thing is just in pain and lonely and soo soo sooo adorably cute!
And when Otto’s enemies come back to finish what they started, Pearl is the only one who can save him, but only if she has the courage to let go of her past and open up to others—including the girl from class she’s got a crush on.
Otto's facial expressions are just spot on! 😍
This is a comic, a graphic novel. The colours, the illustrations, the whole of it all. There isn't much text, just enough to have something to read, but you don't mis the "lack" of. It tells the story perfectly without words!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.