Audrey Niffenegger, best known as the author of The Time Traveler’s Wife, spins a macabre yet enchanting novel in pictures.
The Adventuress, an ethereal yet tenacious heroine, is created by an alchemist, has a love affair with Napoleon and gives birth to a cat in a quest of Fairy Tale subversions and surreal post-feminism.
The text may tell us of wedding revelry and honeymoons but the fragile images betray subjugation and abuse as The Adventuress is repeatedly betrayed by the promises of love and motherhood. This is a story in which transformation can lead to madness and happy-ever-afters may only be attained through cleansing fire or the release of death.
Niffenegger’s images combine the uncanny distortions of German Expressionist cinema with a sketchiness which invites universal interpretations.
A truly beautiful, unique and inspiring work.
Where do u get all the books u review? Must say that picture is a bit disturbing. But i like it..
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It’s a strange and beautiful book, I found it just browsing in my local library. I tend to find a lot of books that way or else trawling through bookshops (although I usually just make a note of the title and it’s back to the library to borrow!).
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I see, thought library`s where extinct with internet and all?
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You can always find the odd nutter roaming around… like me 🙂
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Hahaha….I like dwelling around in Library’s. But, i do not get the time any more.
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I love Audrey’s work, she is such a page turner.
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I enjoy her art and her writing equally. Haunting stuff!
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I agree. How can one person be so talented?
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[…] “Amid a Sea of Eyes” ~ The Adventuress by Audrey Niffenegger (lilywight.com) […]
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Edgy and cool. I appreciate the art in this.
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It’s a wonderful book. I’d recommend any of Niffenegger’s illustrated tales 🙂
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