From IDW comes A Strange and Beautiful Sound, a graphic novel translated from the original 2016 French language version.
It’s written and illustrated by Zep.
Zep, or Philippe Chappuis, is from Switzerland. Born in 1967, Zep, whose pseudonym is taken from ‘Led Zeppelin’ is well known for his best selling Titeuf series.
A Strange and Beautiful Sound tells the story of Dom Marcus, a monk who has lived at the Valsainte Charterhouse for the past 25 years. It’s a spartan existence, with a few chores and some prayers. There are a few other activities to take part in with the other 8 monks, but mostly a lot of silence. Dom Marcus, or William, has a predictable existence.
That is, until his aunt dies, leaving him with a LOT of money. And an obligation to travel to Paris for the reading of the will.
It’s his venture outside the monastery walls that reawakens and challenges William. How will he feel when he meets his long lost relatives? How will he respond when he meets new people and reawakens his senses?
This is a sensitively told tale of the life of a quiet man. It’s nicely paced and intelligently unveiled. In synchrony with the subject of quiet contemplation and servitude, it proceeds gradually with measured steps. But the steps, if followed, lead the reader gently and steadily along the footsteps of discovery. We see, hear and feel the journey of William. We ponder his fate, share in his deliberations.
It’s a quiet, thoughtful and tasteful story. The illustrations are restrained, thin lined and delicate. The colours are mauve and brown, with black line. The people poses are delightful. The landscapes, vignettes, and passages are admirable.
A Strange and Beautiful Sound is the type of volume that you keep around after reading, and want to read again.
IDW, A Strange and Beautiful Sound, 92 pages of content for $19.99 Not rated.
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