The Graphic Canon: Volume 1

The most important works of literature in both Western and Eastern culture retold as short graphic interpretations. The concept alone makes want to praise it as a fantastic book, but this suffers seriously from anthology syndrome. Some of these comics are simply not good. There where multiple points where I simply found myself reading the excerpts explaining why each piece was important, and then moving on to the next one. I managed to find Volume 2 for a cheap price, so I'll keep going because I find it educational, but it's not necessarily something I'd recommend unless you are more interested in the academic side of things.

I especially enjoyed tales from the Mayan and other cultures I would not have otherwise encountered.
The Rumi poetry was lovely, heart warming, comforting. I also delighted in an alternative perspective of Shakespeare's “Shall I compare thee to a summer's day” (Sonnet XVIII). Told from a son recalling a summer memory of his mother.
Loved the mystical nun artwork, as well as The Book of Ester as a whole.

I would be intrigued to see what else was considered. The Book of Kells comes to mind, as does Utopia (or something by Thomas More), Machiavelli's The Prince, Faust, an opera (although it might be that early opera (1600's) seem to be heavy with Greek/Roman history/mythology), some Norse Mythology, some Egyptian literature, the tale of Anansi or African folk tale (understandable that much of it might be oral and thus difficult to put a date on it).

I appreciated that these volumes cover both the familiar and undiscovered for me, helping to reveal knowledge gaps or expose me to that which I might not have considered. It also makes classical literature feel more accessible.

I hope that I can seek out some of the artists' work.