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The Prophet: A Graphic Novel
A moving and thought-provoking adaptation of Kahlil Gibran’s classic poem.
An enduring and moving commentary on the human condition since its publication in 1923, Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet has been adapted as a graphic novel by award-winning illustrator Pete Katz. In this elegant thread-bound edition, Gibran’s classic poem is transformed into a narrative that shows how the words of the prophet Al Mustafa can help modern readers overcome personal struggles. Gibran's original poems are incorporated into full-color scenes so that readers can gain a deeper appreciation for one of the most popular books of the twentieth century.
An enduring and moving commentary on the human condition since its publication in 1923, Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet has been adapted as a graphic novel by award-winning illustrator Pete Katz. In this elegant thread-bound edition, Gibran’s classic poem is transformed into a narrative that shows how the words of the prophet Al Mustafa can help modern readers overcome personal struggles. Gibran's original poems are incorporated into full-color scenes so that readers can gain a deeper appreciation for one of the most popular books of the twentieth century.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published October 20, 2020
7 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Pete Katz
11 books22 followersPete Katz is a half-Irish, half-Greek illustrator & writer, born in the East End of London. He has been a freelance illustrator for almost twenty years and has worked for clients including; Image Comics, Oxfam, Harvey Nichols, Barnes & Noble and the British Museum. As well as illustrating his graphic novels, he wrote the scripts for; The Prophet, The Art of War, The Raven, Frankenstein and Beauty & The Beast. As well as working on graphic novels he also produces portraits, t-shirt graphics and other commissions.
YOU CAN FOLLOW HIM ON INSTAGRAM @nutkin
YOU CAN FOLLOW HIM ON INSTAGRAM @nutkin
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 23, 2020
I’ve had different reactions to various incarnations of the classic book THE PROPHET. The book itself, I was lukewarm about, because it seemed that for every thought that was clever or insightful, there was another that seemed pompous and full of mumbo jumbo. However, the 2016 animated version of the story absolutely destroyed me—and I very rarely have emotional reactions to movies. I can’t even listen to the soundtrack without losing it.
This graphic novel take on THE PROPHET seems, for me at least, to strike an ideal balance between words and imagery. The artwork is absolutely stunning. The illustrations are bordered by Gibran’s poetic words in a way that makes nearly every page appear as wall-ready art.
As THE PROPHET is a book about life’s questions large and small, perhaps it is fitting that the original text is framed with an original story of a middle-aged woman struggling with the serious illness of a parent. This struck me as something both meaningful and profoundly real; an example of the times in life when we wrestle with some of the biggest questions we can ask about ourselves and our loved ones, and when we might be attracted to a book such as THE PROPHET.
This isn’t to say that the presentation immediately erases the original text’s pretensions and silliness. Gibran’s meditation on eating makes me roll my eyes so far back in my head they almost stick there. It’s basically a poetic, early-20th-century version of "Defensive Omnivore Bingo." That said, the section boasts stunning artwork of a cow and a ram, and for those wont to ink themselves, it would make a fantastic tattoo.
Indeed, there are numerous gorgeous and meaningful images of animals throughout this book. The loving bond between humans and animal companions are used to illustrate the ideas of Giving, Joy & Sorrow, and Beauty. A vibrant bird escapes a small cage in a representation of Freedom. I could see these images as tattoos of significance to someone who has a strong sense of compassion for other creatures.
This graphic novel take on THE PROPHET seems, for me at least, to strike an ideal balance between words and imagery. The artwork is absolutely stunning. The illustrations are bordered by Gibran’s poetic words in a way that makes nearly every page appear as wall-ready art.
As THE PROPHET is a book about life’s questions large and small, perhaps it is fitting that the original text is framed with an original story of a middle-aged woman struggling with the serious illness of a parent. This struck me as something both meaningful and profoundly real; an example of the times in life when we wrestle with some of the biggest questions we can ask about ourselves and our loved ones, and when we might be attracted to a book such as THE PROPHET.
This isn’t to say that the presentation immediately erases the original text’s pretensions and silliness. Gibran’s meditation on eating makes me roll my eyes so far back in my head they almost stick there. It’s basically a poetic, early-20th-century version of "Defensive Omnivore Bingo." That said, the section boasts stunning artwork of a cow and a ram, and for those wont to ink themselves, it would make a fantastic tattoo.
Indeed, there are numerous gorgeous and meaningful images of animals throughout this book. The loving bond between humans and animal companions are used to illustrate the ideas of Giving, Joy & Sorrow, and Beauty. A vibrant bird escapes a small cage in a representation of Freedom. I could see these images as tattoos of significance to someone who has a strong sense of compassion for other creatures.
January 4, 2021
"The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran is considered a classic and since I owe a poster of the 100 ultimate books I wanted to give this classic a try.
Luckily, I decided on this pretty recently released Graphic Novel by Pete Katz (it kind of took me by surprise to read the thank you note dedicated to the front line workers of the coronavirus pandemic).
Pete Katz added a new story line to "The Prophet": A woman called Al is taking care of her sick father who lies unconscious in the hospital. Al receives "The Prophet" from a friend and reads it while going through this difficult in her life.
For me personally, this was big plus since I found it hart to connect to the original poetry text of "The Prophet". The original texts read like passages from the Bible. As an atheist I don't really read the Bible and this kind of expression is foreign to me, so it was difficult for me to build a connection to these passages. So thank you Al for making it easier for me :-)
My favorite part:
"What shall I say of these save that they too stand in the sunlight, but with their backs to the sun?
They see only they shadows, and their shadows are their laws.
And what is the sun to them but a caster of shadows?"
Luckily, I decided on this pretty recently released Graphic Novel by Pete Katz (it kind of took me by surprise to read the thank you note dedicated to the front line workers of the coronavirus pandemic).
Pete Katz added a new story line to "The Prophet": A woman called Al is taking care of her sick father who lies unconscious in the hospital. Al receives "The Prophet" from a friend and reads it while going through this difficult in her life.
For me personally, this was big plus since I found it hart to connect to the original poetry text of "The Prophet". The original texts read like passages from the Bible. As an atheist I don't really read the Bible and this kind of expression is foreign to me, so it was difficult for me to build a connection to these passages. So thank you Al for making it easier for me :-)
My favorite part:
"What shall I say of these save that they too stand in the sunlight, but with their backs to the sun?
They see only they shadows, and their shadows are their laws.
And what is the sun to them but a caster of shadows?"
October 30, 2020
Pete Katz' adaptation of Gibran's The Prophet is absolutely stunning. This classic poem is newly brought to life in the form of beautiful illustrations told alongside of a modern narrative that works to provide an interpretation of Gibran's poetry. I am definitely going to be gifting this version of the text to at least a couple of people. I can't get over how beautiful it was. Such a lovely, moving piece of work.
May 3, 2022
95%
"The Prophet" is one of my all-time favourite books, so I was very excited to see a graphic novel version of it come out. Generally, I felt that the art wonderfully supported Gibran's passages, however the additional story that was added to 'modernize' it or make it relatable to modern readers felt unnecessary. Luckily since it was an addition, those sections can be easily skipped without consequence.
"For reason, ruling alone, is a force confining and passion, unattended, is a flame that burns to its own destruction."
"Work is love made visible"
"For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill? Seek him always with hours to live."
"But regret is the beclouding of the mind and not its chastisement."
"Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping. For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts. And stand together, yet not too near together: For the pillars of the temple stand apart, And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow."
"And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair."
"The Prophet" is one of my all-time favourite books, so I was very excited to see a graphic novel version of it come out. Generally, I felt that the art wonderfully supported Gibran's passages, however the additional story that was added to 'modernize' it or make it relatable to modern readers felt unnecessary. Luckily since it was an addition, those sections can be easily skipped without consequence.
"For reason, ruling alone, is a force confining and passion, unattended, is a flame that burns to its own destruction."
"Work is love made visible"
"For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill? Seek him always with hours to live."
"But regret is the beclouding of the mind and not its chastisement."
"Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping. For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts. And stand together, yet not too near together: For the pillars of the temple stand apart, And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow."
"And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair."
April 21, 2025
rating: g
recommend: interested in the prophet but a little intimidated, too? read the GN ;)
I have to say, there was something about SEEING the prophet that made him ... a little annoying, somehow.
BUT all the aphorisms and proverbs were there. It's an excellent introduction to the real text. (I did not love the art. But I DID like the story of the daughter and her sick father, her despair, her friends who came alongside her as she worked through her pain. It helped ground the pontificating for me.)
recommend: interested in the prophet but a little intimidated, too? read the GN ;)
I have to say, there was something about SEEING the prophet that made him ... a little annoying, somehow.
BUT all the aphorisms and proverbs were there. It's an excellent introduction to the real text. (I did not love the art. But I DID like the story of the daughter and her sick father, her despair, her friends who came alongside her as she worked through her pain. It helped ground the pontificating for me.)
December 11, 2023
Disclaimer at the beginning regardless, this book is not a gateway into Gibran's work, it's a means with questionable goals of co-opting someone else's effort, funneling the power of the original work by manipulating the order of the text and adding insipid existential BS to create a narrow, weak, predetermined vision rather than letting Gibran's words impact the reader directly in their own reality.
May 9, 2025
Meh. Not my thing, I guess. Art was okay, not great and not terrible. Faces were somewhat inconsistent throughout the book. Gibran's text was also merely okay, saying everything and nothing at the same time. While I don't regret having read it, it certainly didn't change my life, and I wouldn't read it again.
June 12, 2021
O que se pode dizer de um livro que só descreve aquilo que já sabemos? Genial!
E a história leve de alguém no quotidiano, consegue criar o ritmo e atualidade.
Vale mesmo a pena guardar na mesinha de cabeceira.
E a história leve de alguém no quotidiano, consegue criar o ritmo e atualidade.
Vale mesmo a pena guardar na mesinha de cabeceira.
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April 11, 2022It's a lovely book. I struggled because graphic novels typically read really fast, but Gibran's words cry for deep contemplation. Consider taking this book in a few pages at a time. My twelve year old wants me to get the original text.
January 27, 2021
The beautiful illustrations were a feast for the eyes! The classic words were wonderfully portrayed.
February 4, 2024
Nice artwork accompanying a wonderful classic. The "connecting" story was somewhat unnecessary, yet not overly intrusive.
June 18, 2024
A beautiful rendition of a moving book that features gorgeous artwork and a simple but effective connecting story that gives it a little extra depth.
June 29, 2024
Beautifully illustrated. Interesting that it puts the original text inside a new story.
February 7, 2025
Worth rereading.
February 8, 2025
Flowery poetry with some feel-good new aged messaging. Some vibrant colors in a handsome hardcover package.
September 3, 2025
Beautiful poetry. However, the order of poems should have been structured better.
April 3, 2023
Não consegui ler este livro na totalidade. Acho que não faz mesmo o meu estilo... Saltei as partrs dedicadas ao profeta propriamenre dito e acabei por dar atenção apenas à parte da mulher que tem o pai hospitalizado. Provavelmente esta é uma boa adaptação do livro original, eu é que simplesmente não consegui perceber as mensagens proféticas. Problema meu, talvez! As ilustrações são bonitas!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews