Ioulia Ilvanidou is currently reading Κάποιοι δεν πεθαίνουν ποτέ

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Το πιο πρόσφατο βιβλίο του νομπελίστα συγγραφέα αφηγείται την ιστορία δυο ανθρώπων, δύο μεταναστών με κοινή καταγωγή, που οι δρόμοι τους ενώνονται πολλά χιλιόμετρα μακριά. Ο ένας έχει παίξει ρόλο στο παρελθόν της ζωής του άλλου και ο συγγραφέας μας αφηγείται την ιστορία και των δύο με συνεχείς εναλλαγές ανάμεσα στα πρόσωπα και στο χρονικό πλαίσιο.

Είναι ένα βιβλίο για τη μνήμη, την οικογένεια που πνίγει τα μέλη της με τις απαιτήσεις της, τα λάθη που παραμένουν ασυγχώρητα και την ανάγκη για συγχώρεση.
Ο αργός ρυθμός ίσως δυσκολέψει ορισμένους αναγνώστες, αλλά όσοι έχετε διαβάσει ξανά βιβλία του Gurna, δεν θα έχετε πρόβλημα.



«Είναι ζοφερός τόπος η χώρα της μνήμης •μι�� μισοσκότεινη ξεκοιλιασμένη αποθήκη με σάπια σανίδα και σκουριασμένες σκάλες, όπου κατά καιρούς κατεβαίνεις κι ανασκαλεύεις παρατημένα αγαθά.» "

"This is a gorgeously illustrated graphic novel about the many twists and turns that fit into a single man’s life. It is also a contemplation of mortality and fate, of the dreams, family ties and friendships that shape us.

Against a Brazilian setting, equally exotic and familiar in its urban details, we observe the life of Brás de Oliva Domingos, writer of obituaries and aspiring author, son, husband and himself a father, unfold in ten chapters that, although chronologically jumbled, manage to carry his story all the way to the end. A narrative pattern is quickly established, one that doesn’t cease to remind us how flimsy the thread of life is, how chance can cut it at any given moment. Despite their predetermined endings, we read those chapters same as we live our days: with eager anticipation for what happens next.

Brás is a ‘daytripper�� who keeps dreaming of other lives while trying to live his own. Reality and fantasy merge into his personal universe.

I found both the art and plot captivating. Its drawings, meticulous in their details and rich colors, managed to communicate the characters�� emotions in a way that deeply moved me. Sometimes the text seemed plain in comparison, but in this genre its primary role is to support the visuals and not the other way around, so no harm done.

All in all, one of the finest works of that kind that have come my way. It was the second graphic novel I read together with Charles, a buddy read based on our mutual love for the genre. His insightful take on it, his comments and attention to detail enhanced the reading experience and I’m grateful for his initiative."

Nikos wants to read Η Ελένα ξέρει