Land of the Dead. Lezioni dall'aldilà sulla narrazione e la vita

by Brian McDonald, Toby Cypress

Questo delizioso graphic novel è, difatti, una master class sulla narrazione. Usando degli esempi straordinari da film, letteratura e fiabe, "La terra dei morti viventi” ci conduce in un viaggio di scoperta per insegnarci a scrivere storie, sceneggiature e film che creiamo.
E’ un manuale di istruzioni per narratori e sceneggiatori; un approfondito corso di scrittura utile per tutte le persone che studiano i meccanismi della narrazione.
L’autore, traendo ispirazioni dalle storie classiche che hanno attraversato i media e il tempo, ci regala una lezione sulla magia delle parole e sull’importanza di raccontare storie migliori.
Storie che ci aiuteranno a urlare al futuro e a essere sentiti. Storie che ci faranno sopravvivere lungo il corso del tempo, sia che siamo scrittori, sceneggiatori, autori o lettori.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, Comics, Writing, Graphic Novels Comics, Death, Art

224 pages, Hardcover

Published March 29, 2024

About the author

Brian McDonald has taught his story seminar at PIXAR, DISNEY FEATURE ANIMATIION and George Lucas' ILM. His award-winning short film WHITE FACE has run on HBO and Cinemax and is used in corporations nation-wide as a diversity-training tool.

Reviews

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is gonna go crazy in high school English classes

[Chris - Quarter Press Editor · Rating 5 out of 5]

(For transparency, I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.)

If you want the short version, it's that this is an excellent book with fantastic art. It will definitely appeal to any of those interested in storytelling, finding meaning in death, and enjoy literary analysis.

The longer version is that this is a book for storytellers. It's for those that want to see the inner workings of stories that dip into the Land of the Dead. It explores stories in many genres and styles, including some films, as well, and shows that even in tales we don't consider horror or housed in a darker framework still draw on elements from death to give their readers a cathartic ending.

This book is also for those interested in literary analysis, as it breaks down many texts, often in great detail, to show how they connect to the tropes and myths we've created for the Underworld / death / Land of the Dead. These readings are quite interesting and create overlap and allusions between works that I never considered before.

This is also for anyone that doesn't mind exploring the signs of life within death. As many folks prefer not to consider their ends, or other's ends, this book opens up that powerful notion that we all need to consider our own journeys towards the end. There is much meaning and life to be found amongst these types of tales.

Add to this the amazing art of Toby Cypress, and you've got a wonderful book presented in an gorgeous package. The art fits the tone perfectly, without getting too dark or scary, but finding a great balance between the macabre and intimate moments. The use of color is also striking, allowing for interesting echoes and reappearances of art in a new context.

Had I not been given this book, I would have bought it, and it would have been worth every penny. This is an excellent analysis of story paired with super clean / fun / dynamic art.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know how to rate this. On the one hand, I thought McDonald had some good ideas in here, ones that have even helped me find a path forward with revisions on my current project. Love that!

On the other hand, the book feels like McDonald is just trying to create his own version of the Joseph Campbell monomyth--the writer starts to contort a bunch of examples into his framework, and the argument seems to become "every single thing a character does and every type of person you encounter in a story represents the underworld" as more and more texts are squeezed into this analysis. (At one point he even says something like "If a place is hot, it's the underworld. But if it's cold, it's also the underworld," which really emphasizes this feeling that literally everything is the underworld in this rubric.)

Beyond that, I also have no idea why this was a graphic novel. I thought the art was great and I enjoyed looking at it, but at the end of the day, this is a craft book, so it doesn't make a ton of sense with this format. I also couldn't figure out why the whole thing was being narrated by a raven? I wonder what this would have read like if it had just been presented straightforwardly as a craft essay (and I do mean essay, not book--I'm not sure this idea should be a full book-length thing).

Idk. Did I get some stuff out of it? Yes! Was I puzzled by the book overall? Yes!

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book...a graphic novel that shows how the "land of the dead" figures in human storytelling and to what end. I was beyond impressed. One of the best things I've read this year!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!! This is another book leftover from Excellence in Nonfiction, and I'm so glad I finally read it as it was the most intellectually stimulating book I've read in a long time. It made me remember how I love making connections. In this case, it was the element of storytelling and history and literature and emotion. It's a book I wish that I had someone to discuss it with as it made me think of so many things and remember so many of the "stories" that have been part of my life through book, movies, and just plain living. It's a graphic novel, and the mostly muted colors mimicked the text.
It's been an interesting couple of weeks as I've pulled books from shelves and out of boxes to meet my reading goal, and it is such a joy to finally "meet" this book.

[Tyler Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is physically stunning. The dust jacket hides a gorgeous hardcover, and the illustrations are wonderful. Loved the art style.

The story/writing itself is okay, albeit a little monotonous after the first 100 pages or so. It's an interesting "case study" into the concept of "The Land of the Dead" across the history of storytelling, but at some point it just turns into "Look, this other famous story also has these tropes" ad nauseum.

There is value in that lesson for storytellers, I guess I just felt that for its length it could have either branched out a little more or gone into further depth on certain concepts.

That said, there narrator is likeable and it is reasonably entertaining. This is probably best suited as optional additional reading for advanced creative writing classes, and that was likely the author's approximate goal. I don't think much of the general population will love this book, but writers and storytellers will appreciate the insights.

[Sarah Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really unique- it was a how to for storytelling using a graphic novel to take you through how many well known stories can be broken down to similar pieces. Loved the artwork!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A journey to a library is a journey into the Land of the Dead because it is a place where the dead speak. Stories are the collective wisdom of everyone who has ever lived, stories themselves are the library of the ages and all of humanity is allowed access."

Well, this is a first; a book which I have shelved as both fiction and non-fiction. As a lover of books, I am obviously a lover of stories. When I was younger, I used to write my own stories. As I got older, and started work, life got in the way and so I lost the ability to put pen to page, creating my own worlds. It is something that I regret. So when I saw this book, some time last year, I was drawn to it. Now that I have finished it, I have to say it was a wonderful reading experience.

"Stories are another way to see...a way of seeing without eyes."

"This book is your journey through the underworld to find the wisdom kept there for storytellers to learn from. It is a gift for you from the Land of the Dead."

This is a book which uses many stories from different times and different cultures, to show that there are actually a lot of similarities between them. There are messages within stories which echo through the ages, and speak to us about what it is to be alive; all the hopes and fears which come with this. It explores why we feel the need to tell stories, and what we can learn from them. All presented like a comic, with illustration panes on every page.

This is a great exploration of storytelling. Whether you are trying to create them yourself, or simply enjoy reading them, this is a book which could give you a lot to think about.

[Sarah AK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feeling rather conflicted about this one. Let's start with the good: the art. Toby Cypress is a PHENOMENAL artist, and this book is worth checking out solely for that. Now the not-so-good. The first 75% of the book felt like nothing more than an endless string of choppy, reaching examples of how *literally everything* in storytelling fits into the author's concept of the "land of the dead." It all felt so obvious and unnecessary to me. Comp Lit 101. Is it actually surprising to anyone that the root of human fears (and stories) all lead back to death or despair? Apparently it is, so we get example after example as if this is some novel, earth-shattering idea. Moby Dick: land of the dead. Jurassic Park: land of the dead. King Midas: land of the dead. Buddha: land of the dead. A Christmas Carol: land of the dead. Planet of the Apes: land of the dead. My brain after this book: land of the dead.

BUT. I admit, it finally gets better. I was legitimately interested in Part IV and everything after. Unfortunately, that only comprised the final quarter of the book. I will probably read it again sometime to see if I feel the same way later. I could just be in a mood. For now, I'm giving it my very "meh" 3 stars. But 5-star art!

[Ernesto · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Un cómic muy chulo que no es ficción sino un buen trabajo de literatura comparada. El autor se dedica a establecer paralelismos entre varias obras de ficción que tocan directa o indirectamente el tema de la muerte y el inframundo (Gilgamesh, Nuestro pueblo, Caperucita Roja, El silencio de los corderos, Pinocho, Moby Dick, Cuento de Navidad, Drácula, El planeta de los simios, La sombra de una duda, La máquina del tiempo, Los viajes de Gulliver, la historia de Buda y muchas más).

Es muy guay ver esos paralelismos y estéticamente el libro es una pasada, pero esperaba bastante más de él porque lo anuncian como “Una lección magistral de storytelling”, cosa que no es en absoluto sino, como digo, una enumeración de paralelismos, esquemas y patrones de ficción en varias obras célebres.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic graphic novel! I hesitate to classify this under any of the fiction genres. Rather, I would describe this as a sort of reference for storytellers, delving into the connections to the concepts of death and the afterlife that all stories across multiple time periods, genres, and cultures have. Beautiful art, which strikes a delicate balance between macabre and comfortingly familiar.

Anyone at all who's interested in creating stories of any kind, in whatever medium, needs to pick up this book!

"Stories are another way to see...a way of seeing without eyes."

[Devin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn’t for me. It felt too pompous and full of itself. It just wasn’t very enjoyable

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

The content of the text felt a bit surface-level sometimes, but I liked the concept and the art was great. A nice way to spend a rainy afternoon!

[Brandon Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite liked this. Yes, it’s a little “English 101” and maybe a little “Joseph Campbelly” but I don’t really see a problem with either of those things. It’s a beautifully illustrated comic that explores some similarities in famous stories throughout history. I do not think it tries to make any big definitive claims. It’s curious about literature and inspires further curiosity.

[Michelle Smith-Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do stories about death hold the keys to teaching us how to live? Authors, McDonald and Cypress, certainly think so and cleverly teach us how through a graphic novel with illustrations and writing that takes you deep into the vantage point of learning from the underworld. Myths, classic literature, and movies are utilized as literary examples to teach the elements that make up great storytelling. The reader investigates dark elements from the land of the dead in Gilgamesh, Moby Dick, and Casa Blanca, to name a few, and learns what the dark sides and the inspiring sides of these stories teach us about our humanity. The authors, who have backgrounds in narrative arts, teach not only how to write stories well, but admonish the writer to not take this responsibility, of shaping beliefs through stories, lightly. This book has been recommended as a potential textbook for college Literature and Writing courses because of its succinct way of teaching the elements of storytelling through famous examples. The graphics also instill a sense of doom and death but also have the ability to inspire the reader and take them back into light and life. This book is meant for mature audiences, such as mature young adults and adults, because of its discussion of philosophically dark themes and themes of death/loss. Otherworldly, yet filled with powerful advice about living a life worth writing, some will find this book more spiritual than philosophical or informational.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was, I think, 18 years old when I saw the movie Flatliners; just the right age for it to make a vivid impression on me even though it has never been thought of as a particularly good film. The characters are medical students who agree to take turns temporarily dying ("flatlining") before being revived by the others. They hope to experience a moment of the afterlife to gain insight and wisdom. They wanted, in the parlance of this book, to learn from a visit to the land of the dead.

McDonald writes that we don't have to actually die to gain that wisdom, though, as stories of visits to the land of the dead are all around us. He takes a wide-ranging tour through stories from different times, cultures, and media, drawing parallels and showing how they include different elements of the underworld. Sometimes characters travel literally or metaphorically to that land; sometimes elements of that land visit us. At one point he writes:

There are two types of ghosts--someone who is dead yet dwells in the land of the living, and someone who is alive yet dwells in a place that is dead.

For example. Other examples abound.

This is a book of literary criticism, an extended essay with pictures in graphic novel format. It doesn't, though, require any literary training or expertise; it's accessible and entertaining. He describes the movies Castaway and The Martian as examples of the land of the dead's element of isolation and Indiana Jones's descent into the serpent pit in Raiders of the Lost Ark to illustrate the ubiquitous presence of serpents in the land of the dead. He compares Dickens's Great Expectations to the film Sunset Boulevard in their representations of decay and stagnation. And the everlasting party (that's a trap) shows up in Pinocchio, The Odyssey, and Hansel and Gretel.

The book opens with a tale from Mongolia and an extended look at Gilgamesh, the oldest tale we know. He finds stories where heroes visit the underworld in myths of the Mayans, from Africa, and around the world. Other stories he looks at extensively include: Sisyphus, Our Town, Gulliver's Travels, Hamlet, Little Red Riding Hood, Silence of the Lambs, Moby Dick, A Christmas Carol, Planet of the Apes, The Time Machine, the Buddha's beginnings, the Donner Party, and Shadow of a Doubt. He also notes a special category, in contrast to those where the devil walks among us, he calls "angels from the sky." A supernatural being appears, doesn't change anything about the actual circumstances of the story, but gives the main character a new perspective that changes their outlook about everything. Examples here include Mary Poppins, Cinderella, It's a Wonderful Life, E.T. the Extraterrestrial, The Green Mile, The Shawshank Redemption, and Casablanca.

Interspersed with all of this are thoughts about the wisdom those stories provide and the science behind how they become meaningful to us. It is endlessly fascinating and insightful.

This is a place of wisdom. There is always wisdom to be found in the land of the dead. Storytellers have always known and made use of this.

-----

It seems that humans have a deep belief that knowledge and wisdom come from those who have gone before. The dead always have the answers.

Many societies, both ancient and modern, have some form of ancestor worship, such as the building of temples or shrines for the dead. Originating in Mexico, El Dia de Muertos--the Day of the Dead--is celebrated in Latin America to honor loved ones who have died. Even those societies that would claim that they have no ancestor worship build secular holy places to honor the wisdom of the dead [picture of the Lincoln Memorial].

We study the words of Sun Tzu, Aristotle, William Shakespeare, and others because we believe that the dead have a special wisdom.

Just as the ancient hero Odysseus journeyed to the underworld to seek knowledge from the dead, so do we visit the dead for answers. The most common way we do this is through stories.

The word story originates from the Latin word historia, meaning "history." Stories are histories. Each one is a journey to the past--to the Land of the Dead. The underworld--the land of the dead--has been used in stories of all types since ancient times and is still used today.

Maybe it will help you tell better stories yourself.

-----

A journey to a library is a journey into the land of the dead because it is a place where the dead speak.

Stories are the collective wisdom of everyone who has ever lived. Stories themselves are The Library of the Ages and all of humanity is allowed access.

In the book The Literary Animal: Evolution and the Nature of Narrative, biologist David Sloan Wilson posited that "stories often play the role of genes in non-genetic evolutionary processes." In other words, stories show us how our ancestors did--and didn't--survive different types of conflict and prepare us for an uncertain future. These "story genes" are passed on from person to person, culture to culture, generation to generation. A given story can last as long as it helps people survive.

Don't be fooled by the word survival into thinking this only means physical survival--there are all types of survival. There is social survival. There is cultural survival. And there is also emotional survival.

-----

So how does one reap the benefits of someone else's story?

You can benefit from someone else's story because neurologically your brain doesn't know the difference between an experience that happens to you and one that happens to someone else.

This is because of mirror neurons in one's brain. These neurons fire when one watches, hears, or reads a story, thus causing one's brain to mirror the observed action as if the observer were themselves physically involved in that activity. . . .

It is how we become so immersed in a story that we are able to take advantage of the experiences of others, real or fictional, as if we had been through them ourselves.

Because, as far as our brains know, we have been.

[ASoner · Rating 1 out of 5]

I truly wanted to enjoy this book. I did not like the story telling. The illustrations were fine but the narrator sounded stuck in a limbo themselves. Wanted to sound mystical yet sounding one tone.

[Vern Panter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful, and educational, graphic novel. My favorite part about it is the fact that it brought up dozens of different historical works of fiction and real world examples in order to illustrate its points. Several of these works of fiction I have since checked out from the library in order to read so that I can fully understand what McDonald was trying to convey. Overalls, this was a super useful book to read in order to understand my purpose as an author. It forced me to think about storytelling in a way that I had never thought about it before, and to think about death not as an end, but as the core of what human write about and explore. Below are my key takeaways:

1. Katabasis - journey into the land of the dead - "It seems that humans have a deep belief that knowledge and wisdom come from those who have gone before" (7) and "Stories show us how our ancestors did - and didn't - survive." (39)

2. Death of all kinds (physical, cultural, social, emotional, societal) is something we are all trying to survive - it is through stories that we both find these elements surviving and learn or how we can overcome death. It is the purpose of the author to "Teach people not only how to survive, but also how to live" (205)

3. The underworld can be anything (There are many common themes in environments which are the land of the dead, but they can be anything) - but its purpose is to use the wisdom of the dead to stay alive. They will explore themes of desolation, loneliness, predators, parasites, memories, decay, stagnation, sadness, a lack of love/empathy/compassion, greed, ignorance, immortality, the living dead, the surreal, darkness, or even the animalistic nature of humans. Essentially, novels, and the themes they explore, act as a kind of necrography (photographic documentation of the dead), allowing us to see the wisdom of the dead or the fight against death.

4. Angels and devils can exist beyond their biblical stereotypes - an angel is a being who change the outlook of a character but not their circumstance. "They affect audiences deeply because the stories they help tell are about emotional or spiritual survival - things beyond the physical. Things beyond the earthly" (194) - Think the spirits who visited Ebenezer Scrooge A devil is a being who "Enters a place of relative happiness and disrupts it, by bringing with them the elements of the underworld" (162) - they bring the location of the underworld to a new location - think of Dracula.

5. The act of writing places the author in a fictive dream, and it is important to maintain your position in this fictive dream so that you can allow others to also engage with this fictive dream. Moreover, the human brain contains 'mirror neurons' - "You benefit from someone else's story because neurologically your brain doesn't know the difference between an experience that happens to you and one that happens to someone else." (151)

[Tealin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating study, gorgeously illustrated! It's not exactly a comparative mythology, nor is it exactly a writing tutorial, but rather an inside look at the power of storytelling from a craftsman's, rather than an anthropologist's, point of view. Thought-provoking without being academic, and relatable – you'll definitely be familiar with at least one of the stories examined, and the unfamiliar ones are presented clearly enough that you get the important points easily. And the illustrations! Cypress is new to me but truly superb – I look forward to dwelling in his illustrations a bit longer next time.

If you know McDonald's other books, you know this will change how you think about story, if not culture and life as a whole ... If you don't know them, hopefully it will encourage you to check them out, because they go into greater depth and detail. Unlike Joseph Campbell or other screenwriting gurus, he doesn't hand you a formula to slot your story into, but rather encourages you to think about story in a way that gets to the heart of what connects with people. The Land of the Dead does much the same, using the history of human storytelling as a demonstration blackboard. Definitely one to pick up if you're drawn to storytelling, regardless of how long you've been doing it!

[Paul Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very creative and informative graphic novel examining life lessons taught to us that are connected to the "Land of the Dead" or Underworld, or however different cultures or stories depict it. This book has such a wide variety of lessons and tales, from the ancient myths of the Greek, Norse, Egyptian, Chinese, Native American, and more, to modern films such as E.T., Wizard of Oz, Castaway, The Green Mile, It's a Wonderful Life, & Planet of the Apes. From fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella, to classic literature including Hamlet, Gulliver's Travels, A Christmas Carol, Moby Dick, Our Town, and The Time Machine, the use of diverse stories in this book is impressive and engaging. From classic characters like Gilgamesh & Sisyphus to modern characters like Indiana Jones & Mary Poppins, to real people in history and real life, author Brian McDonald and illustrator Toby Cypress, through the use of a narrating raven, have so much to teach us. As a teacher, librarian, fan of mythology, and an educator who enjoys using real life and pop culture connections to classic literature and myths, I truly enjoyed this book and can't wait to share it with students too. I recommend it for all ages from middle school to adult.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nonfiction graphic novel that is part life philosophy, part cultural criticism. The author defines what the “land of the dead” is to him, and then draws on examples from mythology, literature, movies, pop culture, and real life to explore common themes in those stories.

This book was different from what I expected based on the description and blurbs, but I liked it. It’s about story elements, but I wouldn’t say it’s about storytelling or screenwriting. The author presents the “land of the dead” as a common term, though it seemed to me to be more of the author’s own creation. He includes themes that may be obvious, like ghosts and vampires, but also things that are not, like people who get preoccupied with the past, and fictional tales about humans that turn into animals or animals that act like humans. I came to view “land of the dead” as encompassing unreality, things that are not real life in the present. I found it unexpectedly profound to make that distinction; we can learn from that unreality, but it’s important to live our lives in the present, in the land of reality and of the living. I like the art and how the book is stylized.

[ツツ]

Thing one finds in the land of the dead:
darkness (and /or things that obscure vision),
isolation and loneliness (not necessarily aloneness),
blood (and /or sharp objects),
bloodsucking creatures (parasites),
cannibalism,
ignorance
serpents, night creatures, carrions,
bones, ghost/spirit/apparition,
Animal acting like human, and /or human acting like animals.
Can be memory, can be a land of toys/feast.



A serpent in the garden. Evil had to be “invited”.
Angel from the sky. Angels always leaves (so that the protagonist can demonstrate that they truly have changed).



Horror stories can be threat simulations.

Common wisdom from the land of dead:
Small treasures of the daily life.
Anger and hatred make ppl stuck in Limbo.
All people have to die. (Immortality is not a blessing.)

SOMETHING COMMON IN THE LAND OF THE DEAD. FEEDING OFF OF SOMEONE'S PAIN IS A TYPE OF EMOTIONAL CANNIBALISM.

[Kate Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not normally a graphic novel reader, but something about the cover and description of this novel really pulled me in.
‘Land of the Dead’ is a stunning graphic novel that mixes myths, legends and modern day storytelling into a cohesive and interesting narrative. The book was written by Brian McDonald and illustrated by Toby Cypress and the story delves into the story of life and death. The dialogue is poetic, lyrical and well-written, the artwork top-notch.
The plot of the story follows the protagonist who has to confront his ancestors and his fears while finding his way through a supernatural landscape.
I found the book really different and definitely memorable.
A great book for graphic novel lovers and those who love a retelling of popular myths. As a storyteller myself I really thought it was set up like a manual for other storytellers.

[Jordan Gisch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give it 5 out of 5 stars because not only would I read it again but I'm now convinced that ET was an angel.

I was browsing the nonfiction section of the public library when I came across this book. My initial thought was that it had been shelved in the wrong section. I sat down to read through a few pages just to double check. It didn't seem like a work of fiction to me so I finally looked it up and it was in the right area.

This book discusses common lessons taught in stories that are influenced by death or the ideas and icons associated with death. Lately I've been thinking about the message you send with the type of work you produce and this book fits nicely in my research. After reading the first few pages I checked it out and finished it very quickly. I love the art work that's used to help bring life to the various stories that are studied.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am kind of undecided about this one: maybe it deserves 3 stars? Or maybe 5? On the one hand, it seems like a sincere attempt by the authors to say something meaningful and helpful. On the other hand, like another reviewer here (Jonathan), I found myself thinking it was trying too hard to make every story fit the interpretive framework—EVERY story, it seems, is a visit to the land of the dead ….including this book. Unfortunately, I don’t think I gleaned as much wisdom from it as reviews led me to expect, but maybe that’s because I’m too old and have read too much. I think I will leave this on the free book table at the school where I teach. For a young person, this might be a good introduction to a Joseph Campbell-like way of thinking about stories.

[Gaurav · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way the Brian (Author) takes the reader to Katabasis is beautiful. I appreciate the complimenting art , it's eerie , dark and exceptionally pleasing. The use of many pop culture reference is essential but throws off a little from the flow of the theme. Although the goal is to make one understand the concept of the Land of the Dead , it is more of how one find elements of the underworld in their lives. The way of storytelling is rather more instructional than more of narration but I find it well suited for this book. My only nitpick would be that 'Land of the Dead' - these 4 words are used repetitively , to the point where it gets a little annoying. It was still a pleasant read for me apart from this.

[Matthias Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to get into this book, mostly because it reads like a literary essay. There are no characters per se: just a crow that behaves as the narrator for a lesson in storytelling. In that sense, the graphical novel format is an odd choice. The art is beautiful, but that isn’t everything and the graphic format feels underutilized.

Even though this isn’t at all the kind of experience I was seeking when purchasing this book, I ended up enjoying how so many different famous stories were analyzed through the lens of katabasis. It made me want to read the books and watch the movies that were mentioned.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

This is a wild hodgepodge of bits about storytelling and how the land of the dead, the journey through death, and otherworldly messengers, symbolism, and meaning. The chaos was hard to follow, but I really enjoyed this collection of tidbits, especially since I feel like I learned why an interest in stories and storytelling might dovetail with an interest in death and death practices.

I wanted more organization from this, which would have afforded more room to include extra details. As it was, the swirling and repetitive nature was at times disconcerting, but did not prevent me from enjoying the information conveyed.

[Micha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This non-fiction comic takes us to through the land of the dead in history and story-telling as a recurring theme as we humans grapple with mortality. I'm predisposed to like this kind of thing and would've been happy with even more examples, more illustrations. For stories that were familiar to me, the art added something quite new, bringing out a different element and texture than pure written commentary would have done. Some of the artwork ought to be used on book covers, Moby Dick in particular.

[Luis Diaz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful art! I read GraveDiggers before so I was aware to Cypress’s work.

For some reason I just couldn’t get passed the first quarter of the book. I skipped a few and read hoping to get excited elsewhere, but I think I just couldn’t hear the phrase “Land of the Dead” one more time.

The first chapter with the kid was nice, but it all felt more like a review of these mostly familiar stories and didn’t have anything that made me want to go further.

I will attempt again, but perhaps the way it was told felt like a book for kids. Maybe it is, but not for this kid. IDK