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The New York Tetralogy #4
Invisible People
A haunting trio of stories about life’s forgotten shut-ins in the tradition of Kafka, Gogol, and Melville.
117 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
2 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
About the author
Will Eisner
761 books535 followersWilliam Erwin Eisner was an American cartoonist, writer, and entrepreneur. He was one of the earliest cartoonists to work in the American comic book industry, and his series The Spirit (1940–1952) was noted for its experiments in content and form. In 1978, he popularized the term "graphic novel" with the publication of his book A Contract with God. He was an early contributor to formal comics studies with his book Comics and Sequential Art (1985). The Eisner Award was named in his honor and is given to recognize achievements each year in the comics medium; he was one of the three inaugural inductees to the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 29, 2015
Will Eisner’s Invisible People is a sad commentary on the multiplicity of ways we manage not to connect. Three vignette’s fill out the volume, beginning with “Sanctum” and ending with “Requiem.” In each story, there is a main character who, in some way, fails to make the interpersonal connections which would later save them, and in the end, suffers the most for not being able to establish these. Each story also hinges on a bit of irony, and Eisner plays this irony as loudly as an O. Henry short story.
The tales are certainly sad, but to the great degree to which the characters “bring it upon themselves” it is difficult to feel completely sympathetic. They are not the kind of people which you would wish to become friends, nor to whom you would wish to be related.
In the first tale, Pincus Pleatnik discovers that his obituary was accidentally printed in the newspaper. When he calls to correct the error, the typist insists that it was not an error, and refuses to make a change. Everyone whom Pincus approaches refuses to help him, whether from greed, fear, ego, or sense of duty to the rules. One misfortune rolls forward from another. Although Pincus did not begin the problems, his lack of advocates, either in family or friends, is quickly made clear. A life of isolation means that even in a time of need, one remains isolated.
In part because of his lack of connection with others, Pincus is the most bland character in the book. He has no desires nor connections to make his world an interesting story. That is infinitely sad: to have no story at all.
An interesting take on the quiet lives that move past us without notice.
The tales are certainly sad, but to the great degree to which the characters “bring it upon themselves” it is difficult to feel completely sympathetic. They are not the kind of people which you would wish to become friends, nor to whom you would wish to be related.
In the first tale, Pincus Pleatnik discovers that his obituary was accidentally printed in the newspaper. When he calls to correct the error, the typist insists that it was not an error, and refuses to make a change. Everyone whom Pincus approaches refuses to help him, whether from greed, fear, ego, or sense of duty to the rules. One misfortune rolls forward from another. Although Pincus did not begin the problems, his lack of advocates, either in family or friends, is quickly made clear. A life of isolation means that even in a time of need, one remains isolated.
In part because of his lack of connection with others, Pincus is the most bland character in the book. He has no desires nor connections to make his world an interesting story. That is infinitely sad: to have no story at all.
An interesting take on the quiet lives that move past us without notice.
February 23, 2020
Will Eisner kertoo niin intensiivisiä tarinoita, että täytyy vähän hengitellä ennen kuin voi siirtyä seuraavaan. Amerikkalainen sarjakuvakegenda tuli minulle tutuksi erään sarjakuvahaasteen yhteydessä (Talo Bronxissa) ja olin iloinen, kun löysin tällaisenkin suomennetun kokoelman. Esipuheessaan taiteilija kertoo, että halusi kertoa tarinoita heistä, joita ei nähdä kaupunkien hälinässä. Unohtumattomia heistä tuleekin Eisnerin kuvaamina.
December 4, 2016
Very deep. It's hard to maintain a unique personality or in some cases any personality living in our urban world. We can isolate ourselves a bit too good for our own good, and Eisner paints excellent what-if cautionary tales here. True mastery of comics.
July 13, 2020
Eisnerin hieno sarjakuva on lähes kolmekymmentä vuotta vanha, mutta ajankohtainen edelleen. Kolmessa erillisessä tarinassa Eisner kuvaa yhteiskunnan marginaalissa olevia ihmisiä lämmöllä ja paikoin lähes makaaberisti.
January 11, 2021
Really good. Liked it better than the other one. I want to make a Short Cuts-like movie about Will Eisner stories
April 26, 2019
This collection of 3 stories from a pioneer in the genre all center on the theme of urban alienation. The stories are well told in a tradition reminiscent of 19th century short stories, like that of Gogol. Any of them would have made a classic 'Twilight Zone' episode. It was interesting to me how well that style fits with Depression-era NYC. 'The Power' is a gem among the three. The other two seem too preoccupied with forcing ironic endings rather than just letting their ordinariness lend them power. It was difficult for me to care about victimization unfolding without much depth of character supporting the irony. It's laudable Eisner chooses as his subject commonly unnoticed people, however the drama of the stories turn on extraordinary situations. I think his style would have been more moving if the stories were more mundane. His philosophic prefaces are a bit sophomoric; they reach for profundity, yet don't deliver anything very insightful.
I must admit i found the art disappointing. Given Eisner's pre-eminence in the craft, i'll safely assume my lack of appreciation is my loss. It's very different from the noir style i assume Eisner developed in 'The Spirit'. I'd never read anything by him before, and figured this might be a good place to start. i still don't know if that's the case, but these stories are well done enough that i'd like to check out his take on classic fables someday.
I must admit i found the art disappointing. Given Eisner's pre-eminence in the craft, i'll safely assume my lack of appreciation is my loss. It's very different from the noir style i assume Eisner developed in 'The Spirit'. I'd never read anything by him before, and figured this might be a good place to start. i still don't know if that's the case, but these stories are well done enough that i'd like to check out his take on classic fables someday.
March 16, 2016
"Oggi più che mai, le nostre città sono abitate da gente invisibile"
Will Eisner vuole dare voce agli invisible people, persone che vivono ai margini della società e della loro stessa vita, persone che vengono sfiorate dai loro simili, ma senza che se ne accorgano.
Questo volume contiene tre storie a fumetti:
- Rifugio, storia di Pincus Pleatnik, dato erroneamente per morto, che si definisce "vittima della città";
- Il potere, storia di Morris, che ha il potere di guarire i malati, ma non può curare la persona che gli sta più a cuore;
- All'ultimo sangue, storia di Hilda Gornish, che ha sempre rinunciato alla propria vita per amore del padre e vede il suo futuro ostacolato da una suocera agguerrita.
Tre racconti che vorrebbero essere un tributo a uomini e donne sconosciuti, scomparsi, inascoltati. Personalmente sono rimasta un po' delusa dalla banalità e dalla brevità con cui vengono raccontati.
Will Eisner vuole dare voce agli invisible people, persone che vivono ai margini della società e della loro stessa vita, persone che vengono sfiorate dai loro simili, ma senza che se ne accorgano.
Questo volume contiene tre storie a fumetti:
- Rifugio, storia di Pincus Pleatnik, dato erroneamente per morto, che si definisce "vittima della città";
- Il potere, storia di Morris, che ha il potere di guarire i malati, ma non può curare la persona che gli sta più a cuore;
- All'ultimo sangue, storia di Hilda Gornish, che ha sempre rinunciato alla propria vita per amore del padre e vede il suo futuro ostacolato da una suocera agguerrita.
Tre racconti che vorrebbero essere un tributo a uomini e donne sconosciuti, scomparsi, inascoltati. Personalmente sono rimasta un po' delusa dalla banalità e dalla brevità con cui vengono raccontati.
December 23, 2013
I loved this book! Both the drawings and text are fantastic - very insightful, incredibly well-drawn, and altogether satisfying!
Each "novella" was great - very perceptive, and touching on many of the ongoing problems of human life: Poverty, parents who refuse to let go of kids - even as they become old themselves, people living out their lives of struggle alone, people dying alone, and the myriad circumstances leading up to final solitary extinction.
Definitely recommend this book to anyone wishing to enter a world of the marginalized, the down-trodden, and finally, the invisible.
Each "novella" was great - very perceptive, and touching on many of the ongoing problems of human life: Poverty, parents who refuse to let go of kids - even as they become old themselves, people living out their lives of struggle alone, people dying alone, and the myriad circumstances leading up to final solitary extinction.
Definitely recommend this book to anyone wishing to enter a world of the marginalized, the down-trodden, and finally, the invisible.
January 6, 2021
Synkempiä tarinoita ihmiskohtaloista, mutta yllättävän uskottavia. Viiva vähän alkoi vapisemaan Eisnerilläkin vanhemmiten, mutta kyllä mukana vielä uskomatonta komeuttakin oli.
May 31, 2018
I realized a while back that there were a lot of Eisner stories that I hadn't read, and started rummaging. This one turned up at a shop I frequent, so I bought it and went home to read it.
This is part of a series of stories that Will Eisner did about New York. Not the big events on Wall Street or Madison Avenue, but instead, the little events involving "the little people" of the city. In this case, it's all about the people that no one notices.
Pincus Pleatnik was a man who enjoyed anonymity, until it began to be a problem. Hilda Gornish just wanted to settle down and get married, after taking care of an aging father for many years. Morris just wanted to help people, but only in his own quirky way. What could go wrong? Plenty.
The three stories in this book were worth reading, if you enjoy his stories about New York. If you're expecting stories like The Spirit, you'll be in the wrong book.
At the end of the book there is a requiem for a person from our world, one not so different from the ones in these stories. The requiem is a sad piece that may make you think about how the world treats the "invisible" people in it.
This is part of a series of stories that Will Eisner did about New York. Not the big events on Wall Street or Madison Avenue, but instead, the little events involving "the little people" of the city. In this case, it's all about the people that no one notices.
Pincus Pleatnik was a man who enjoyed anonymity, until it began to be a problem. Hilda Gornish just wanted to settle down and get married, after taking care of an aging father for many years. Morris just wanted to help people, but only in his own quirky way. What could go wrong? Plenty.
The three stories in this book were worth reading, if you enjoy his stories about New York. If you're expecting stories like The Spirit, you'll be in the wrong book.
At the end of the book there is a requiem for a person from our world, one not so different from the ones in these stories. The requiem is a sad piece that may make you think about how the world treats the "invisible" people in it.
February 19, 2018
A testament to those living on the fringes of society, Invisible People is one of the few graphic novels to ever really drive anguish directly into my heart. The copy I got from the library had a wonderful little note as well. Written in pencil, a previous patron had said " Librarian- Thank you for keeping this amazing book in your collection." Amen, other patron. Amen.
As a young woman who previously experienced the annoyance of courting an older man whose mother was extremely protective and "Mrs. Bates" in her demeanor, "Mortal Combat" struck a great chord with me. In similar respects "The Power" is equally troubling. If you've ever felt beaten down, angry at the world and fate I highly suggest you give Invisible People a try. I doubt you'll regret picking it up.
As a young woman who previously experienced the annoyance of courting an older man whose mother was extremely protective and "Mrs. Bates" in her demeanor, "Mortal Combat" struck a great chord with me. In similar respects "The Power" is equally troubling. If you've ever felt beaten down, angry at the world and fate I highly suggest you give Invisible People a try. I doubt you'll regret picking it up.
June 12, 2020
Three stories set in New York about people who disappear into anonymity and anomie in the city. The first, "Sanctum," is extraordinary--a man's obituary is erroneously published, he complains to no avail, and it ends up that he gets locked out of his apartment, loses his job, and dies--without anyone noticing because they all thought he was dead already. The other two stories are not nearly as good. But all three are with Will Eisner's excellent black-and-white drawing, beautifully evoking a bygone New York and the Jewish community in particular.
March 18, 2022
Sarjakuva on minusta liian yksioikoisesti suurkaupunkia arvosteleva, itselläni kun on kokemusta niin maaseudusta, pikkukaupungista kuin suurkaupungistakin asumispaikkana. Voi olla myös amerikkalaisen elämänmuodon arvostelua, vaikka sanallisesti syytetään suurkaupunkia. Joka tapauksessa minun makuuni liian yksioikoisen synkkä sekä piirrostyylinä että tarinana.
May 25, 2025
I like this better than "The Big City" because its more like 3 short stories instead of lots of mini stories, or comic strips. The other was still pretty good thought. Lots of love for NYC and cultivating that sense of the big city. This one has more of a focused theme and the stories are p good. Less about the city, more archetypes.
August 10, 2017
If anyone ever doubted the power of graphic novels and told you "comics can't be sad," you could hand them this. In the second story, Will Eisner rips out your still-beating heart and shows it to you. "ARE YOU CRYING YET," he asks, as you shudder in the corner.
September 6, 2024
One of comics greats will eisner's most underappreciated works this boom delivers powerful commentary on life and how even though we're all connected we fail to see the bigger picture if your a fan of eisner's work and haven't read this than you might be missing out on a beautiful touching story
July 18, 2017
Fin og trist.
June 23, 2018
Feels.
December 9, 2021
So much movement in the drawings, was like watching a Ralph Bakshi-style animation.
October 15, 2022
Well, thanks for the depression mr Eisner
October 4, 2015
Will Eisner was one of the most recognizable names in comic history. He invented the graphic novel and changed sequential art doing what he loved. He has a yearly comic award that shares his name. For these reasons I have always wanted to read some of his work. However, the logical starting point, The Spirit, his serialized "superhero" story, has never appealed to me - I do not think it will live up to its reputation. As a result I took the suggestion of a number of friends and critics whose opinion I trust and started with Invisible People (W.W. Norton).
This book is nicely put together, which can be especially important for graphic novels. There are no cut off images in the cracks (although Eisner doesn't seem to have that style) and no problem with binding. The book is divided into three stories, all of which deal with the anonymity and alienation of city life in a different way. Each story has a distinct flavor and contained plot, but they are designed to be read together.
I greatly admire the plotting of the stories. There is no wasted space, which astounds me as someone who has read their fair share of modern comics. The stories flow from one point to the next and it never seems choppy or rushed.
The dialogue is a little sub-par at some points. Every time a character says the line "they are an invisible person," it feels forced and stale. For the most part though it is passable and standard, but nothing spectacular.
The substance of the stories is strong. They do an excellent job of imagining the lives of people we pass everyday and have no clue exist. The stories are simplistic in some ways: They are set in an earlier "simpler" time, the characters themselves are mostly archetypes, many of the complexities of the city are ignored to focus on the main themes listed above. However, these simplifications are not made unconsciously. Will Eisner states in his introduction that he chose to set the stories in the 1930's because the intricacies of modern city life are far more complex and difficult to navigate. Eisner is trying to paint a picture that does not need a modern backdrop. These stories could have been set in almost any major city throughout history - with obvious occupation and technology changes - and they would still work. This is because they are not simple. They are probing and capture a detailed image of one of the failures of city - particularly American city - life, the inability of its inhabitants to connect with everyone around them.
The world of these stories is a mechanical system. Reminiscent of the great bureaucratic dystopian stories like Kafka's The Trial, the sense of immobility in the shadow of an oppressive and unforgiving way of life is beautifully realized in all its despair.
Individually, the drawings are mostly unspectacular, but competent work. Sequentially the art flows well from one point to the next. They manage to capture facial expressions and moods of the characters well. Overall, good cartooning, but not my favorite art.
Verdict: I would recommend this book to anyone interested in comics in the classic vein. I will read more of Will Eisner after reading this book, but I am in no rush to do so.
This book is nicely put together, which can be especially important for graphic novels. There are no cut off images in the cracks (although Eisner doesn't seem to have that style) and no problem with binding. The book is divided into three stories, all of which deal with the anonymity and alienation of city life in a different way. Each story has a distinct flavor and contained plot, but they are designed to be read together.
I greatly admire the plotting of the stories. There is no wasted space, which astounds me as someone who has read their fair share of modern comics. The stories flow from one point to the next and it never seems choppy or rushed.
The dialogue is a little sub-par at some points. Every time a character says the line "they are an invisible person," it feels forced and stale. For the most part though it is passable and standard, but nothing spectacular.
The substance of the stories is strong. They do an excellent job of imagining the lives of people we pass everyday and have no clue exist. The stories are simplistic in some ways: They are set in an earlier "simpler" time, the characters themselves are mostly archetypes, many of the complexities of the city are ignored to focus on the main themes listed above. However, these simplifications are not made unconsciously. Will Eisner states in his introduction that he chose to set the stories in the 1930's because the intricacies of modern city life are far more complex and difficult to navigate. Eisner is trying to paint a picture that does not need a modern backdrop. These stories could have been set in almost any major city throughout history - with obvious occupation and technology changes - and they would still work. This is because they are not simple. They are probing and capture a detailed image of one of the failures of city - particularly American city - life, the inability of its inhabitants to connect with everyone around them.
The world of these stories is a mechanical system. Reminiscent of the great bureaucratic dystopian stories like Kafka's The Trial, the sense of immobility in the shadow of an oppressive and unforgiving way of life is beautifully realized in all its despair.
Individually, the drawings are mostly unspectacular, but competent work. Sequentially the art flows well from one point to the next. They manage to capture facial expressions and moods of the characters well. Overall, good cartooning, but not my favorite art.
Verdict: I would recommend this book to anyone interested in comics in the classic vein. I will read more of Will Eisner after reading this book, but I am in no rush to do so.
August 29, 2015
Grazie alla 2015 Reading Challenge ho iniziato a dare un'occhiata al mondo delle Graphic Novel e, consigliata da un amico, me ne sono trovata in mano ben tre! Senza neanche doverlo pregare ha immediatamente iniziato a sgarfare tra le montagne di fumetti che possiede e mi ha dato ciò che lui riteneva potesse piacermi di più, brancolando anche lui nel buio.
Ho capito però che forse non è esattamente il mio, mi sono piaciute molto, ma forse forse preferisco i libri. Con i libri hai più possibilità di sognare e di immaginare il mondo come vuoi tu, le graphic novel invece, essendo disegnate, creano già un mondo, con dei personaggi caratterizzati dalle loro stesse immagini. Tutto ciò che un lettore deve dunque fare è osservare questi disegni e leggere ciò che i personaggi dicono. Un po' riduttivo a mio parere, so che ci saranno milioni di persone che dissentiranno, ma io la vedo così.
Proverò a fare delle mini recensioni, o meglio vi dirò ciò che a me queste storie hanno trasmesso perché non penso di essere in grado di recensire delle graphic novel, a malapena penso di essere in grado di recensire dei libri, quindi....
La recensione prosegue qui: http://diariodiunacamionistaperbene.b...
Ho capito però che forse non è esattamente il mio, mi sono piaciute molto, ma forse forse preferisco i libri. Con i libri hai più possibilità di sognare e di immaginare il mondo come vuoi tu, le graphic novel invece, essendo disegnate, creano già un mondo, con dei personaggi caratterizzati dalle loro stesse immagini. Tutto ciò che un lettore deve dunque fare è osservare questi disegni e leggere ciò che i personaggi dicono. Un po' riduttivo a mio parere, so che ci saranno milioni di persone che dissentiranno, ma io la vedo così.
Proverò a fare delle mini recensioni, o meglio vi dirò ciò che a me queste storie hanno trasmesso perché non penso di essere in grado di recensire delle graphic novel, a malapena penso di essere in grado di recensire dei libri, quindi....
La recensione prosegue qui: http://diariodiunacamionistaperbene.b...
September 21, 2010
3 short graphic stories by Will Eisner about a spinster librarian who realized that at 40 years of age, she'd lost half her life by taking care of her ailing father, a laundry presser who was pronounced dead because of an error by the obituary clerk and the ramifications to every aspect of his life as a result of this error, and a man with healing powers but who couldn't heal his own life. They're all poignant stories about people who pretty much remain invisible to the world. They don't call attention to themselves and they could be people we pass everyday and just not see
June 6, 2012
Not Eisner's very best but neither was it his worst. As others reviewers say -- the plot-movers were somewhat implausible and the story-lines were not the best. At the same time, it still drew me in and kept me hooked more or less, with the stories of how pathetic, and also sometimes, how dramatic, regular old people's lives are. Also, have I mentioned before that I love Eisner's approach to panels/not actually having panels? I love it. He does it better than pretty much anybody.
August 20, 2015
3 depressing stories about the "invisible" people in New York. This is Eisner's most pessimistic work I've read, I wouldn't recommend to others if you are looking for something positive like his other works.
August 19, 2016
Just got introduced to a whole new way of Story telling. Amazing what graphic novels can accomplish.
Includes three stories : Sanctum, The Power and Mortal Combat that gives you the feeling of reading Kafka or Dostoevsky short story supported with amazing artwork.
Includes three stories : Sanctum, The Power and Mortal Combat that gives you the feeling of reading Kafka or Dostoevsky short story supported with amazing artwork.
January 8, 2017
I love that the Dropsie Avenue address returns here for these short sketches. Eisner has a way of taking a theme and spinning it around a few different ways that seem unrelated but ultimately come together in a poignant way.
July 22, 2007
i really dig will eisner.
April 15, 2010
amazing!!! Loved the last story!
February 11, 2011
My introduction to Eisner. Because I'm working backwards in time I can see where people drew from his work rather than where his inspirations came from. It's interesting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews