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Manhattan Murmures

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Quoi de mieux qu'une foule pour se couper du monde ?

Suite à une tragédie amoureuse, Sam part s installer à New York. Il profite de ce changement d'air pour réaliser un reportage photo commandé par son rédacteur en chef. Replié sur lui-même, focalisé sur son travail d'observation, Sam n'adresse la parole à personne et se perd progressivement dans l'anonymat des grandes villes. Il n'a même jamais été aussi seul qu'au milieu de cette foule. Mais peut-être est-ce justement ce qu'il recherchait ?
Giacomo Bevilacqua réussit le tour de force narratif d'immerger le lecteur tant dans l'intimité de son personnage que dans l'immensité des rues de Manhattan. Un récit introspectif et touchant sur la solitude, le deuil amoureux et la reconstruction.

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 14, 2016

17 people are currently reading
1021 people want to read

About the author

Giacomo Keison Bevilacqua

63 books161 followers

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5 stars
755 (27%)
4 stars
1,005 (37%)
3 stars
718 (26%)
2 stars
188 (6%)
1 star
38 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 390 reviews
Profile Image for Aneela ♒the_mystique_reader♒.
180 reviews126 followers
March 8, 2017
"There are people who would look for or judge their ideal partner according to astrological rules, astral schemes, planetary alignments and influences.

Still, I think the only star we can rely on where love is concerned is the star we can all see. Which, in my humble opinion, divides the world into two great categories.

- Those that would rather watch it rise at the dawn
- Those that prefer it as it sets in the evening

The ideal partner is the one you find in your same category.
Full stop."


Just wow!!! How beautiful is that!

A comic book with a beautiful story to tell. The story of a guy who stays silent throughout the book. To him and for him, the city speaks.

"I raise bridges of silence on rivers of words."


He is heartbroken. He moves to New York city for two months to run away from the memories of his beloved. He commits to not to talk to anyone during his stay in the New York City. By profession he is a photojournalist which makes it easier for him to do his job for the magazine without talking to anyone. Then strange things happen. To keep himself contented, he relies on music, numbers and memories. And then, his memories start to deceive him.

Positives:
The story is unique and totally unexpected. That is exactly what I like to read. A good story with characters that make you think about life, feelings, memories and little things like music and sunsets - the warmth of setting sun on your back.
In short, this book is 192 pages of good time spent.


Negatives:
The book was confusing at the start. At first, I was confused whether the character is talking to me or talking to himself or to someone else. But as soon as I got it, the story became clear and interesting. It is both. It took me sometime to understand that someone is telling his story as well as he is also telling his story. May be others won't find it confusing.

There were some unanswered questions too. I wished writer had shed some light on them.


An ARC of this comic book was provided by Diamond Book Distributors and Magnetic Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Natalie.
641 reviews3,850 followers
August 2, 2018
This graphic novel is set around Sam's commitment to write an article about his two months spent in NYC while having no verbal interaction with any other human being. The pressure is especially on since this is his first written article after a decade of photo reports.

The Sound of the World By Heart 3-- bookspoils
To be frank, I had no idea what to expect going into this, particularly where the art is concerned, since that cover doesn't give away much. But I was pleasantly and quickly surprised with the colors and illustrations in here.

The Sound of the World By Heart 1-- bookspoils


The Sound of the World By Heart 2-- bookspoils

The Sound of the World By Heart 4-- bookspoils

The Sound of the World By Heart 5-- bookspoils

The Sound of the World By Heart 7-- bookspoils


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The Sound of the World By Heart 8-- bookspoils

However, I was dismayed to find the commentary in this graphic novel feeling a bit off and irrelevant, which became harder to ignore when it seemed to occur on numerous occasions. Also, the narration itself bothered me immensely when it was unclear as to who was chronicling the story. It definitely managed to throw me for a loop in regards to that aspect.

Speaking of which, that ending... since it wrapped up so quickly it took me a bit to gather and sort my thoughts to fully understand everything that went down. One thing I do know for sure: I have literally no clue as to what happened in the romantic stages of this graphic novel. Genuinely, I have no idea who this Joan is in Sam's life, and how the hell she managed to follow him around NYC so many times...

If nothing else - and this might be considered a spoiler - I did appreciate the addition of having deaf representation in here. But again, since it was talked about on the page only towards the end, I was sad to see it not fully delved into.

Overall, though, I'm still glad I tried my hand with this gorgeously illustrated graphic novel by Italian-born writer and cartoonist, Giacomo Bevilacqua.

ARC kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Expected publication: April 11th, 2017

3.5/5 stars

Note: I'm an Amazon Affiliate. If you're interested in buying The Sound of the World, just click on the image below to go through my link. I'll make a small commission!


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Profile Image for Dave Schaafsma.
Author 6 books32.1k followers
September 13, 2017
Described by the press as a "literary romance," and with that title what else could it be? This is a graphic novel, written and drawn by Giacomo Bevilacqua, a name which to my Dutch-American ears sounds like he must be automatically romantic, too. The story features a photojournalist recently dumped by his girlfriend, who goes to New York City on assignment for a couple months to just take pictures and not communicate (in spoken speech, at least) with anyone. This might be partly informed by the breakup, but the idea is to let the city he finds amazing "speak" to him.

The guy can talk to his editor/best friend via email/text at some limited times, but at some point he (it's a kind of romance, recall) meets a girl, and this disrupts his work. He can't quite see things the way he saw them before, thanks to his seeing her. Her image disrupts what he actually sees now. And from this point on he sees her everywhere. Is she stalking him? It's not clear, but she is ever-present. And when she finally confronts him, they immediately seem to communicate telepathically. It's not clear to me whether the point of her presence in the story is as a potential lover to help him heal from his breakup and/or as a kind of representation of the city he loves. Could be both. The conclusion points to both girl and city as his two loves, and sure enough, Bevilacqua moved to NYC at one point, so it might be a two-target love letter.

Photography? He sees in his mind what he photographs and doesn't even need to look at the prints. Then he sees her and his confidence in what he sees is broken. He doesn't see what is right in front of him. Hmm, interesting. Still trying to figure this out.

What's weird is that the last three books I have read have all been about extreme isolation: Alone, by Chaboute (about a guy living alone in a lighthouse for fifteen years after his parents have died, who has never seen another human being); Everywhere, Everywhere, a YA novel about a girl who has almost her entire life been isolated by her physician mother because of a diagnosis of SCID, which has her basically allergic to the world, and now this, a social experiment in communicative isolation. In each of the stories we can see some spiritual benefits from isolation, and in each of the three stories, isolation is ultimately not completely satisfying.
Profile Image for Roberto.
627 reviews1 follower
January 14, 2018

Splendida cornice, ma dov'è la tela?

Belle tavole, splendidamente realizzate e colorate, che ci restituiscono una New York un po' diversa, più attutita, e silenziosa piuttosto che caotica, piena di rumori, di vita, e di movimento.

Bei disegni, impreziositi da un'ottima confezione, che però descrivono una storia che non è riuscita minimamente a toccarmi.

I disegni per me devono aggiungere qualcosa alla storia o raccontarla (diversamente che non con le parole) per immagini. Qui non ho trovato né l'una né l'altra cosa.

Peccato.
Profile Image for Rae.
558 reviews42 followers
March 31, 2023
I think I'm getting harder to impress.

The art is undeniably sublime. Gorgeous depiction of New York, lots of stunning cityscapes. This is a stylish volume.

The story... less so. Maybe I didn't fully get it. I certainly have questions. And it seemed to be trying too hard to tug on my heart strings.

Worth reading for the pictures alone, but it just didn't give me the feels like, for example, Dan & Sam.
Profile Image for Daisy.
283 reviews100 followers
May 6, 2024
I don’t read a lot of graphic novels but I made an exception for this. A beautiful story both visually and thematically of a man in great pain who goes to New York for an assignment where he attempts to spend two months in the city without speaking to anyone. He is a photographer and with a camera slung around his neck and a pair of headphones barring the approach of strangers he spends his days wandering around the city taking photos and using pre-written notes to make any necessary interactions. These notes end with the request not to speak to him.

Then he starts noticing something strange happening to his photographs and once the reader realises what is going it becomes something of a Richard Scarryesque find Goldbug exercise where one is driven to go back through the previous pages to find details missed the first time.
We discover the source of his pain and his reasons for wanting to retreat from the world, and yet all through his isolation his deep love for the city and its inhabitants is evident. The story ends in as hopeful and satisfying way as one could wish.


A beautiful, joyful treasure of a book which makes the world a little better for being in.
Profile Image for Frannie Pan.
341 reviews240 followers
August 2, 2017

Splendida. Semplicemente splendida.
E' intensa, toccante, ironica, commovente.

Credo che la particolarità e bellezza di questa graphic novel risiedano nei suoi diversi livelli di lettura possibili, nelle sfaccettate interpretazioni possibili nelle quali la mente curiosa si può addentrare.
E' la storia di un fotografo che decide di trasferirsi per due mesi a New York senza parlare con nessuno e scrivere un articolo sulla sua esperienza.
E' la storia di un uomo che ha sempre nutrito una profonda passione per la fotografia, che memorizza l'inquadratura e proietta l'immagine nella testa senza il bisogno di rivederla perché lui sa ciò che ha catturato in quanto impresso a fuoco nella sua memoria.
E' la storia di un'anima che soffre, che conta ogni cosa fino a quattro per poi ricominciare e ricominciare ancora; un'anima che si impone regole da rispettare, sfide da raggiungere senza arrendersi e limiti da non valicare per proteggersi dal dolore del mondo.
E' una storia in cui i protagonisti sono la città di New York, i suoni, i ricordi, le barriere che innalziamo contro la paura e la casualità e le gomitate che le abbattono incontrovertibilmente.
E' una storia d'amore tra due biglie che, anziché scontrarsi e cambiare la propria traiettoria, si sono attratte e unite e ne hanno creata una nuova insieme.

Le illustrazioni incredibili, da lasciare a bocca aperta e sbarrare gli occhi. C'è uno stile chiaro e determinante percepibile in ogni disegno che poi muta forma e sperimenta per adattarsi alle parole, ai sentimenti, ai pensieri e, completando il cerchio della vita, ritorna in sé stesso.

Splendida. Semplicemente splendida.
Profile Image for erigibbi.
1,128 reviews739 followers
January 17, 2018
Sam, fotografo di professione, sta passando un periodo particolarmente difficile.

Per affrontarlo decide di andare a New York per due mesi e non parlare con nessuno.

In questo suo viaggio lo accompagneranno la sua amica più fidata e dalla quale non si separa mai ovvero la macchina fotografica e un paio di cuffie che lo aiuteranno ad isolarsi dal caos metropolitano, rilassandolo con la canzone di Chat Baker, e così, al ritmo di 1.. 2.. 3.. 4.. Sam affronterà questa impresa.

Il suono del mondo a memoria è per Giacomo Bevilacqua non solo il suo primo graphic novel ma anche la sua prima esperienza a colori: pazzesco. Pazzesco perché leggendo e guardando questo capolavoro non avrei mai pensato che questa, per Bevilacqua, fosse la sua prima volta.

I colori usati dall’autore sono molto vari: ci sono tavole in bianco e nero, tavole con gradazioni di colori freddi e tavole con gradazioni di colori caldi. Queste ultime sono state le mie preferite e quelle a cui attualmente continuo a pensare.

Il rosso, l’arancio e il giallo usati da Bevilacqua hanno fatto sì che su New York ci fosse quasi un costante autunno e un costante tramonto: colori e sensazioni che si riflettevano sulle persone, sul paesaggio della Grande Mela e sugli edifici. Questo mi ha trasmesso calore e un sentimento di pace, serenità e tranquillità.

Ho avuto la fortuna di leggere Il suono del mondo a memoria proprio in una giornata particolarmente nera, in cui ero arrabbiata e nervosa. Questo libro mi ha trasmesso una tranquillità inaspettata; durante e alla fine della lettura stavo bene, mi sentivo bene, in pace con me stessa e con gli altri.

Quella narrata da Bevilacqua è stata per me una storia commovente, grazie alle parole, grazie ai silenzi ma anche e forse soprattutto grazie alle immagini che spesso sembravano più fotografie che disegni.

Ci ho pensato e ripensato ma non trovo un difetto in questo graphic novel.

Ho amato Sam, il suo ciuffo, il suo sguardo sfuggente, il suo essere introverso, il suo amore per la fotografia e quelle cuffie sempre con sé.

Ho amato New York, protagonista secondaria di questo fumetto e non semplice sfondo; ho amato Central Park: secondo Sam non esiste un unico Central Park perché esso varia e cambia a seconda della stagione, dell’orario e del proprio umore. Bevilacqua è riuscito perfettamente a trasmettere tutto ciò.

Ho amato i colori delle tavole.

Ho amato le conversazioni, la narrazione in prima e in terza persona, gli scambi tramite e-mail.

Ho amato i lunghi silenzi che mi hanno permesso di soffermarmi sulle tavole. Non sentivo l’esigenza di affrettarmi, provavo un naturale bisogno di osservare, guardare e soprattutto vedere; ho passato interi minuti sulle tavole, e più volte tornavo indietro perché avevo la necessità di guardare e vedere ancora.

Se guardi e non riesci a vedere, forse il problema è che in realtà non stai ascoltando te stesso.

Succede, quando si è convinti di conoscere il suono del mondo a memoria.

Ho amato tutto di questo graphic novel tanto che trovo veramente difficile parlarvene, come se le emozioni prendessero il sopravvento sui miei pensieri.

Voglio concludere questa recensione con il primo pensiero che ho avuto quando ho chiuso il libro: “Se fossi stata una fumettista, questo è il graphic novel che avrei voluto pensare, scrivere e disegnare“.
Profile Image for Sara Dahaabović.
280 reviews96 followers
March 27, 2017
whoever thinks there's one central park is wrong
there are thousands of central parks
one for every season, climate and weather
and one for every second, minute and hour in the day
one for every falling leaf
and one for every single ray of
sunshine filtering through the branches
there's a central park for every snow flake that settles
and one for every bit of horseshit stuck to a carriage
whoever thinks there's only one central park is wrong
and, in all honesty, I have never seen
the same park twice in my life
Profile Image for Narmeen.
500 reviews42 followers
February 15, 2017
I got a free copy of this from NetGalley.

If you were ever a fan of the movies: Serendipity and The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, you will be interested in this.

I really liked the art and the odd theme of the story; the counting of numbers, especially --it was a very movie like end. The constant replay of the question "What is your first memory" and the fact that he was and had one song playing in his head at all moments.

I liked how a simple story had many deep moments hidden away in the background of the pictures Sam took. I liked how the author used preternatural elements to describe the journey soulmates take to meet each other.

Don't let the 3 stars fool you into thinking this isn't worth a shot, because it is, I really do mean I liked it, when I rate it so.
Profile Image for Amanda.
1,574 reviews72 followers
February 15, 2017
Thank you to Netgalley, Diamond Book Distributors, and Magnetic Press for an ARC of Giacomo Bevilacqua's The Sound of the World By Heart.

I have a love for graphic novels formed both from my first job ever being a comic store manager and from my absolute adoration with anything containing a Narrative Arc (thank you, English Degree thing one and thing two), but I was absolutely drawn in by the idea of a story being told, in a graphic novel, about a character who would not be speaking throughout the whole of the novel itself.

I loved that it was about pictures, memory, and feelings, how these intersected, defined, and defide language all at once. I do feel a little like the end of the story cheats the challenge, and the author lets the character off a little too easy with "giving him the right to cheat and end it earlier on, because it was just a personal challenge" (even though we're told in grand detail how much it is for the city and the magazine, especially with how much money is being paid to him and each day of the two months.

I feel like the "communication" that takes part and makes itself a conversation changes all of the end and the challenge for me, leaving it a little off kilter. But not quite enough to take away all poignant feelings I have about this world and how it moved into my heart, my chest and my head for the time while I was reading it.
Profile Image for Jefi Sevilay.
794 reviews93 followers
June 21, 2021
İlk kez bir çizgiromanın hikayesine ve çizimlerine ayrı ayrı puan vermek istiyorum.
Hikaye: 3 yıldız
Çizimler ve renklendirme: 9 yıldız.

Hikayeyi beğendiğimi söyleyemeyeceğim. Çizim ve renklerin mükemmelliğinin çok gölgesinde kaldı. Birşey hissettirmedi. Hissettirmediği için de ana karakter Samuel Page ile bağ kurdurmadı. Chet Baker güzel bir dokunuş oldu. Belki hikayesel anlamda kalbi en pıtlatan yeriydi.

Ama çizimler? Adeta bir görsel şölen. Bu yarım yamalak karantina günlerinde New York'u ve yeni yerler keşfetmeyi ne kadar özlediğimi bir kez daha hatırlattı. İki sayfayı kaplayan paneller wallpaper yapacak kadar güzeldi. Söylemeden geçmem Çizgi Düşler'in uyarlaması da çok başarılıydı. Powerpoint'te bir beyaz kare açıp "metin ekle" diyerek oluşturulan çizgi roman basımlarını çok gördüğüm için bu tarz emek verilen işler ayrı bir değer kazanıyor.

Kulağımda Dünyanın Sesi'ni alın ve iki kez bitirin. İlk elinize aldığınızda çizimlere, New York'a, her bir detaya hayran kalın. İyice özümsediğiniz ve artık görecek detay bulamadığınızda bir sonraki kareye geçin. Bitirdikten sonra iyice tatmin olduysanız başa dönün ve hikayesiyle tekrar okuyun. Hikaye anlamında birşey kaybetmediğinizi göreceksiniz ama en azından iki kez Giacomo'nun çizimlerine hayran kalacaksınız.

Herkese keyifli okumalar!
Profile Image for Alina.
865 reviews313 followers
August 28, 2017
***Note: I received a copy curtesy of Netgalley and
Diamond Book Distributors/Magnetic Press in exchange for an honest review.


A beautiful graphic work, about a heartbroken young photojournalist who temporarily moves to NY with his job and starts an experiment of total silence. The graphics and colors are very beautiful, perfectly capturing the city’s atmosphere, but the ‘dialogues’ (more monologues, as actually the character is talking to himself wordlessly) are sometimes a little confusing.
"There are people who would look for or judge their ideal partner according to astrological rules, astral schemes, planetary alignments and influences.
Still, I think the only star we can rely on where love is concerned is the star we can all see. Which, in my humble opinion, divides the world into two great categories:

* Those that would rather watch it rise at the dawn
* Those that prefer it as it sets in the evening

The ideal partner is the one you find in your same category.
Full stop."

Profile Image for Simona.
974 reviews228 followers
December 10, 2017
Di New York ne abbiamo sentito parlare ovunque: dalle serie televisive ai film, ma questa graphic novel di Bevilacqua le dà un tocco diverso. La New York qui descritta è una metropoli, per certi versi, struggente, caratterizzata da scenari autunnali che rendono ancora più magica la storia. Questa graphic novel è poesia pura, è accogliente come un tè caldo nelle giornate invernali. Immergetevi e sono sicura la amerete.
Profile Image for Lör K..
Author 3 books94 followers
March 27, 2017
Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Publication Date:
11th April 2017
Review Date: 27th March 2017

An experiment in social isolation turns into a journey of self-discovery as a photojournalist commits to chronicle 60 days in New York city without talking to a single person. More than just an exercise in observation and self-control, he's hoping to forget a troubled past and mend a broken heart. But the city has a sneaky way of throwing the best laid plans and noble efforts to waste revealing secrets that lie right in front of him. All he has to do is open his eyes ... A touching, vividly illustrated journey through contemporary modern New York, exploring what it takes to find yourself- and maybe your soulmate - in the middle of a crowded, bustling modern world.

I saw this on Netgalley and I loved the cover. Looking more into the book, I read the descriptions and my heart was stolen. I was so intrigued by this story. I knew I had to read this, whether I got it early or had to wait for publication date. Luckily, I managed to get an ARC of this beautiful piece.

I’ve mentioned the artwork already but it was the artwork that made this graphic novel for me. This was absolutely STUNNING. I couldn’t get enough of it. I flicked through, flicked back, reread pages over and over just because I couldn’t get enough of the artwork. I cannot explain ENOUGH how much I love this artwork. It’s not 100% correct, it’s in a strange style, but it works. It’s so beautiful. I love the detailing in this.



I am totally taken aback by this graphic novel. Never have I read one that has taken a hold of my heart before and completely wrecked me. This gets a solid five out of five stars from me. Everyone should read this. Absolutely everyone.
Profile Image for Alessia.
317 reviews6 followers
June 16, 2024
Storie che parlano di sensazioni ed emozioni, con un pizzico di assurdità, di caos e di dubbio. I libri che non danno risposte ma che parlano di domande, quelle che ci facciamo guardando un tramonto, o un alba, dipende. Voi di che segno siete? Io sono un tramonto 🌇
Profile Image for Mehsi.
15.1k reviews454 followers
July 13, 2020
WAUW. Prachtig geschreven al waren er wat elementen die ik vreemd vond, maar verder echt ik zat er helemaal in. Dit gaat over een man, Sam, die voor zijn werk 60 dagen naar New York gaat... en niks mag zeggen tegen niemand. Het zal een mooie reportage worden en ook niet de makkelijkste want we zien dat Sam liefdesverdriet heeft (al dacht ik eigenlijk dat het om een ander soort liefdesverdriet ging dus moest ik nog harder huilen toen we achter de werkelijkheid kwamen, OMG). Maar terwijl Sam foto's maakt komt hij op heel veel van deze een vrouw tegen. En ik had dan ook het grootste plezier om, terwijl Sam bezig was, haar te zoeken in de tekeningen. Ik kan me ook voorstellen dat Sam enerzijds nieuwsgierig was, maar anderzijds huiverig. Hij wilde niet zijn vriendin vergeten, het is zo vers. Maar gelukkig hebben ze toch een kans om te "praten". En dat punt vond ik toch wel jammer. Plus gaf een verhaal dat zo met de voeten in de grond stond een magisch tintje en ik vond het er niet bij passen.
De tekeningen zijn mooi gedaan, en het verhaal (en het idee van de reportage) vond ik goed gedaan. Alleen jammer van dat laatste stukje.
Profile Image for Artù.
225 reviews7 followers
February 8, 2023
Ogni tanto un fumetto ci vuole.
Si legge in un'oretta ed è stata una lettura piacevole.
Bella l'idea iniziale, che è stata sviluppata in modo surreale.
Quali sono i problemi di questo fumetto?
All'inizio si fa un po' fatica ad entrare nella storia, poi capito come funzionano i testi diventa piacevole.
Non è il classimo fumetto in cui le immagini accompagnano i testi, per la maggior parte è scritto utilizzando una voce fuori campo, quindi molte tavole sono illustrative e si crea una doppia narrazione sia testuale che visiva.
Nel complesso ripensando alla trama è stata una lettura piacevole. Belli i colori ed i disegni.
Profile Image for Larnacouer  de SH.
890 reviews199 followers
December 29, 2024
This one is about the direct effect our actions and decisions have on the lives of others. The chaotic atmosphere of New York, with it’s noise and energy is beautifully conveyed and I really enjoyed the story. However, unlike most people, I wasn’t particularly fond of the illustrations.

I want to thank my friend M. btw. I really love it when you guys suddenly whispers the name of a book in my ear. I don't know, it's like a song lyric or just any sentence you hear that brings a memory to your mind and then shares it with you: I always find this feeling is so special.
So, I’d give the story a three, but the concept and the experience of this read a five.

Nuff said.
Profile Image for Suni.
546 reviews47 followers
April 6, 2018
I disegni sono magnifici ed è incredibile che questa sia la prima esperienza dell'autore con il colore.
La storia per certi versi mi è piaciuta molto, non avevo visto arrivare la grossa rivelazione (che mi ha colpita in pieno) e la "poesia" di certi passaggi mi è parsa genuina, non pretenziosa.
Però più ci penso e più certe cose non mi tornano. In particolare due (cercando di non fare spoiler): 1) che senso ha la sfida, soprattutto alla luce della rivelazione di cui sopra? 2) chi è davvero Joan e cosa è successo davvero alle foto? E se alla seconda domanda forse ognuno può dare la risposta che vuole, la prima secondo me è più che altro frutto di un buchetto di trama.
Comunque è un signor libro e fa venire una voglia insostenibile di tornare (o a maggior ragione andare per la prima volta) a New York.
Profile Image for Fenny.
34 reviews32 followers
October 2, 2016
Se mi seguite da un po' avrete sicuramente notato la mia propensione a scrivere recensioni a caldo solo di certi volumi che leggo, perché solo di certi volumi mi sento di scrivere qualcosa, anzi, sarebbe meglio dire che solo di certi ho bisogno di dire qualcosa, di esternare al mondo quello che provo.
Così eccomi qui a scrivere qualche riga senza senso su una graphic novel che ho finito di leggere nemmeno 5 minuti fa (il tempo di accendere il computer insomma).
Questa è un'opera che ultimamente ho sentito nominare e recensire positivamente da parecchie persone, ovviamente ne sono rimasta molto colpita tanto da fondarmi in libreria a comprarne una copia.
Mai avrei immaginato che una graphic novel del genere mi avrebbe segnata in questo modo. Dico questo perché dalle recensioni avevo intuito che la trama verteva su una storia d'amore. Effettivamente è così, ma non è stato quello che mi ha portato ad amare l'opera, bensì sono state le tavole dell'autore sulla magnifica città di New York.
Sinceramente non so se una persona che non è mai stata in questa città potrà capire quello che sto dicendo, probabilmente mi prenderà per matta, ma la sola vista delle immagini mi ha scossa profondamente, perché attraverso esse ho vissuto di nuovo le stesse emozioni che ho provato vedendo i paesaggi in prima persona. Vi assicuro che è stato sconvolgente. Più in particolare mi riferisco alla tavola contenuta tra le pagine 110 e 111, la vista di una piccola porzione di New York dall'alto verso il basso, lo scorrere incessante delle macchine tra il reticolato di strade in mezzo agli immensi palazzi. In quel momento, durante la lettura, ho rivissuto quello che ho provato di fronte a quella vista, mi sono sentita impotente per un attimo, una piccola formica in mezzo al mondo che scorre irrefrenabile, infischiandosene della tua misera esistenza. Ma non è così in realtà. Più guardi il mondo da quella prospettiva più riesci a percepire che tu sei un piccolo pezzo del grande puzzle che è la vita che vedi brulicante sotto ai tuoi occhi, senza di te non si completerebbe... Questo perché le nostre azioni, le nostre decisioni, volenti o nolenti, andranno ad intaccare la vita di un'altra persona, che a sua volta influenzerà quella di un'altra persona ancora e così via... Quella vista ti fa sentire una piccola formica, ma mai insignificante nel suo piccolo. Ti fa sentire parte di un qualcosa più grande di te.
E dopo queste parole buttate giù di fretta e furia, torno alle mie faccende quotidiane, consapevole di essere importante per completare il puzzle.
Profile Image for Blixen .
205 reviews76 followers
January 11, 2023
Un libro meraviglioso per i disegni, mai visti prima di così belli su New York, ma la valutazione si abbassa per la storia. Ho avuto l'impressione che a un certo punto l'autore si sia perso. È un libro sulla città di New York, la storia fa solo da corollario, offre solo la scusa all'autore per disegnarla. Onestamente ne sono contenta perché Bevilacqua realizza dei fotogrammi emotivi coinvolgenti. La trama, invece, è buttata lì e non convince per niente.
Profile Image for Marcello S.
647 reviews291 followers
January 5, 2018
A livello grafico molto nelle mie corde: tratto, colori, prospettive, ambientazione.
Merito anche della confezione Bao, che è di per sé una garanzia.
A livello narrativo forse un po' pretenzioso, comunque decisamente piacevole. [70/100]
Profile Image for Seher Andaç.
345 reviews33 followers
April 23, 2022
Müthiş müthiş! Üstelik beni oturduğum masada olduğum yere çakan bir benzerliğimiz de varmış:) Görünce hadi be demekten kendimi alamadığım:)
Sema Kaygusuz'dan bir cümle durumumu ve kitabı özetleyiveriyor:
" ... tesadüfün özündeki şaşmaz nedensellik..."
Profile Image for Toni FGMAMTC.
2,098 reviews26 followers
April 30, 2017
I'm not an expert, but I think the artwork is very good in this graphic novel. A+ The story is sort of wistful and a bit spiritual. It talks about deep things like the heart of a city and it's people. I don't believe that I understood the message it's trying to give, but I did find it uplifting. The premise is that the main character is doing an experiment in New York City. He's trying to not have actual interaction with anyone. He's getting over a break up and sort of finding himself while doing this social experiment article. Things get a little mystical when he and someone connect by their thoughts. I recommend it for the graphics, and if you're into new age thinking the storyline is something worth checking out.


***Copy given in exchange for an honest review***

Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

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Profile Image for etelium.
25 reviews6 followers
June 18, 2022
kitabı bitirir bitirmez içerisinde geçen “I’ve grown accustomed to her face” parçasının chet baker yorumunu açıp dinledim. bazı kitaplar ve şarkılar insana çok iyi geliyor.
Profile Image for Bernadett.
411 reviews12 followers
February 18, 2017

The story follows Samuel Page, who isolates himself from the world by carrying a piece of paper that says he is deaf and people should not talk to him. It is a new project he set off to New York to work on, financed by his friend and co-founder of their publication.
He deals with immerse grieve after loosing his girlfriend to an illness she wouldn't overcome.
He carries around a headphones and blocks out most of the sound of the city. He carried his camera and takes photos influenced by his own self imaginary vision and intuition. He develops the pictures he has taken and usually goes to places with only few or no people at all around him.
After receiving the developed pictures his world turns upside down as his viewfinder continuously captures a girl with ginger hair passing by. From there on he is forced to be aware of himself and take in his surroundings and take a moment to look for the girl and when they don't just slip by each other but he notices her and she notices him he is scared off by the very thought of confrontation.

There are a few pages with nudity in it so if anyone is sensitive to that they should just skip a few pages in it.
My overall thought is that this was this years most refreshing love story with a really detailed story and characters. I very much hope that it will have more than one volume.
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