He has said that the story of hansel and gretel is what made him want to be a writer. Their rendition brings a freshness and even a feeling of majesty to the little tale. Hansel and gretel is a wellknown fairy tale of german origin, r. Hansel and gretel standard edition if this isnt the definitive edition of hansel and gretel, its absolutely necessary. Lorenzo mattotti on drawing hansel and gretel with. Hansel and gretel is a wellknown fairy tale of german origin, recorded by the brothers grimm and published in 1812.
Neil gaimans stirring narrative of hansel and gretel combined with artist lorenzo mattottis oppressively black illustrations give the brothers grimm. Lorenzo mattotti has created dark and mysterious black and white illustrations which perfectly compliment neil gaimans text. In earlier retellings, it is hansel who has all the bright ideas. The enduring story of the children, the breadcrumb trail and the gingerbread house is brought to life by master storyteller, neil gaiman. One of the best ways to retell a familiar story is to add plenty of minor detail. On october 28, 2014, the images will be published with neil gaimans retelling of the brothers grimm tale. Lorenzo mattottis illustrations feel inappropriate for a childrens book, in my opinion. Neil gaiman and lorenzo mattotti both remember the horror and fascination with which they read the grimm brothers hansel and gretel. Neil gaiman has written highly acclaimed books for both children and adults and is the first author to have won both the carnegie and newbery medals for the same work the graveyard book.
Lorenzo mattotti with his original art for hansel and gretel. Visually stunning reimagining of the classic fairy tale hansel and gretel by master storyteller neil gaiman, beautifully illustrated by the awardwinning lorenzo mattotti. Coupled with breathtakingly haunting illustrations from lorenzo mattotti, you will be enticed into the world and into the woods. Published by toon books, the new yorker art director francoise moulys venture into richly illustrated books for children, it comes in two formats. Two abandoned children come upon a gingerbread cottage inhabited by a cruel witch who wants to eat them. It doesnt hurt that the book itself is a gorgeous and carefully made object, with a black floral motif on its pages decorated borders, along with red drop caps and tall, round gray. Hansel and gretel standard edition a toon graphic by. See more ideas about fairy tales, fairytale art, art. There are things i really like about gaimans retelling of hansel and gretel. Originally mattottis illustrations were created for a 2007 art exhibition that tied into a metropolitan opera production. Review of hansel and gretel by neil gaiman, lorenzo. Neil gaiman is the bestselling author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio, theatre and films for children and adults alike.
Lorenzo mattotti two abandoned children come upon a gingerbread cottage inhabited by a cruel witch who wants to eat them. Neil gaiman reimagines hansel and gretel, with stunning. Add to that, lorenzo mattottis companion art, which keeps pace along with gaimans writing, throughout the book. The writer and the artist now join forces for a brilliant reimagining of one of humanitys most enduring tales. New the swirling lines look as though they might start moving if seen at just the right moment. The trick is to make this detail seem both unexpected and surprising. Be brave, be bold, and keep your wits about yougaiman and mattotti are welcoming you into the woods. We give this book the highest possible marks and recommend it for everyone old enough to sit. Hansel and gretel a thrilling grim version by neil. His illustrations have been published in magazines such as cosmopolitan, vogue, the new yorker, le monde and vanity fair.
Hansel and gretel oversized deluxe edition a toon graphic. Gaiman, neil and mattotti, lorenzo hansel and gretel bloomsbury, 2015, pp56, 14. Hansel and gretel by neil gaiman and lorenzo mattotti. Lorenzo mattotti born 24 january 1954 is an italian comics artist as well as an illustrator. Hansel and gretel and lorenzo and neil illustration.
It is just beautiful, his use of india ink as a medium is astounding, and his grasp of negative space makes each illustration come to life. Hansel and gretel by neil gaiman 2014, hardcover for. Contributors included stellar new yorker cover artists including roz chast, jules feiffer, anita kunz, christoph. Lorenzo mattotti is an illustrator and comicsgraphic novel artist. Gaimans prose is exact and graceful, adding new details that provide psychological perspective. The book itself is a gorgeous and carefully made object. It would be easy for readers to believe that mattotti drew these pictures while listening to a storyteller by firelight, as if he grabbed a piece of charcoal straight out. Illustrations courtesy of toon books lorenzo mattotti. Written with a devastating spareness by neil gaiman and fearsomely illustrated in shades of black by lorenzo mattotti, the newest version of hansel and gretel astonishes from start to finish. Some things remain the same, the children still find a gingerbread house in the woods and the witch still has plans to eat hansel. They would be just at home on a gallery wall, or framed in my living room as they are in this book. Hansel realises continue reading hansel and gretel by neil gaiman and lorenzo mattotti. Hansel and gretel on its own is a very disturbing story there are versions where the parents are negligent and then of course theres the cannibalistic witch, but neil gaiman in all the usual creepy charm he brings with other works like the graveyard book and coraline is able to create an eerie, spooky and beautifully illustrated graphic novel resurrecting the spirit of the original while.