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The Sun, The Idea & Story Without Words: Three Graphic Novels
Three wordless novels by a master, told in 206 Expressionistic woodcuts: The Sun, a struggle with destiny; The Idea, the triumph of an artistic concept over suppression; and Story Without Words, a poignant romance. "So compelling, so deeply felt, so rich in ideas, that one never tires of looking at them." Thomas Mann
224 pages, Paperback
First published August 21, 2009
About the author
Frans Masereel
118 books31 followersFrans Masereel was a Flemish painter and graphic artist who worked mainly in France. He is known especially for his woodcuts. His greatest work is generally said to be the wordless novel 'Passionate Journey'. He completed over 20 other wordless novels in his career.
His intense, foreboding woodcuts for Oscar Wilde's 'The Ballad of Reading Gaol' add to the drama and feeling of the poem.
His intense, foreboding woodcuts for Oscar Wilde's 'The Ballad of Reading Gaol' add to the drama and feeling of the poem.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 14, 2017
Within 10 minutes or less, I was able to finished browsing the riveting illustrations in this graphic novel. It's up to the reader's comprehension on how will interpret those poignant sequential artworks. Some are hard to decipher but if you will try to go back several pages, you can be able to understand what those drawings want to convey.
September 22, 2024
This is an anthology of Belgian-French woodcut artist, Frans Masereel. The three stories were published from 1918-1920. All three are wordless woodcuts with black ink.
“The Sun” - This one is a “modern” (well, 1918) retelling of the Icarus-Daedalus myth. It starts with Masereel himself at the drawing board. He falls asleep and seems to dream up the man flying to the sun and promptly falling back to earth. The story ends with a charming cut of Masereel smiling and throwing up his hands as if saying “How crazy was that?!”
“The Idea” - Like “The Sun,” this one begins with Masereel himself. He has writers’ block (no that’s not a woodcut pun!) when suddenly a nude woman springs from his head, like Athena from the forehead of Zeus. While the artist loves her, he puts her in an envelope and sends her out into the world. The world doesn’t understand her. They are scandalized by her, try to clothe her, they abuse her, and ultimately, try to kill her. The story ends with Masereel framing her and sending off another nude woman in an envelope.
The woman seems to be doing double duty as a symbol. On one hand, she clearly represents an artist’s idea (as the title implies). An artist shares the most intimate parts of themselves and their ideas are often misunderstood and abused. On the other hand, it seems like Masereel could be speaking about womanhood or at least the female body.
I enjoyed that this story was a bit different from all of the other woodcuts I’ve read. Most of the others feature a nameless man that goes on a journey, has illicit sex, and then is crushed by the wheels of capitalism. This one didn’t feature any of those tropes.
“Story without Words” - This is my least favorite of the Masereel books I’ve read. This one is supposed to be an allegorical tale that is similar to medieval art pieces. Essentially a man begs a woman to sleep with him throughout all the woodcuts. In the end, a pulls a knife on himself and threatens suicide. She gives in. However, the man turns away from her. Both end in tears.
“The Sun” - This one is a “modern” (well, 1918) retelling of the Icarus-Daedalus myth. It starts with Masereel himself at the drawing board. He falls asleep and seems to dream up the man flying to the sun and promptly falling back to earth. The story ends with a charming cut of Masereel smiling and throwing up his hands as if saying “How crazy was that?!”
“The Idea” - Like “The Sun,” this one begins with Masereel himself. He has writers’ block (no that’s not a woodcut pun!) when suddenly a nude woman springs from his head, like Athena from the forehead of Zeus. While the artist loves her, he puts her in an envelope and sends her out into the world. The world doesn’t understand her. They are scandalized by her, try to clothe her, they abuse her, and ultimately, try to kill her. The story ends with Masereel framing her and sending off another nude woman in an envelope.
The woman seems to be doing double duty as a symbol. On one hand, she clearly represents an artist’s idea (as the title implies). An artist shares the most intimate parts of themselves and their ideas are often misunderstood and abused. On the other hand, it seems like Masereel could be speaking about womanhood or at least the female body.
I enjoyed that this story was a bit different from all of the other woodcuts I’ve read. Most of the others feature a nameless man that goes on a journey, has illicit sex, and then is crushed by the wheels of capitalism. This one didn’t feature any of those tropes.
“Story without Words” - This is my least favorite of the Masereel books I’ve read. This one is supposed to be an allegorical tale that is similar to medieval art pieces. Essentially a man begs a woman to sleep with him throughout all the woodcuts. In the end, a pulls a knife on himself and threatens suicide. She gives in. However, the man turns away from her. Both end in tears.
December 9, 2020
What’s better than a graphic novel by Frans Masereel? Three graphic novels by Frans Masereel!
June 17, 2020
Então, uma coleção de três em xilogravuras de um autor belga do início do século XX; o vintão não termina nunca.
A xilogravura é tipo um carimbo, a figura é feita em madeira e reproduzida em pequenos livros para a população que não sabia ler, o artista em questão, Frans Masereel, parece entender do assunto, porque, na época, não existia a tecnologia gráfica que temos hoje, então os desenhos, ainda que cheios de significados, parecem um tanto simples e até mesmo grosseiros, não há uma noção clara de perspectiva ou sequência de eventos, mas acredito que isso faça parte da busca pelo significado de cada gravura.
Em O Sol temos a busca de um homem pelo, bom, Sol. Claro, uma alegoria que parece questionar o que nós estamos dispostos a fazer em busca do que acreditamos.
Em A Ideia - lindíssima - temos a jornada de uma ideia - uma alegoria na forma de uma mulher - que é jogada ao mundo e uma série de coisas boas e ruins parece acontecer, mas demonstra o quão frágil e, paradoxalmente, resiliente uma ideia pode ser, por mais que tentem amordaçá-la, transformá-la, usá-la, ela sempre parece voltar, como diria o mago, ideias não morrem.
Já em História Sem Palavras temos as tentativas de um homem em conquistar uma mulher, as gravuras mostram as diversas promessas e propostas que o homem faz para conquistá-la sem sucesso, até uma reviravolta que talvez envolva a morte ou a transformação em que ele a conquista, paradoxalmente - admito que pode ser eu lendo a minha vida na falta de palavras do autor - eles parecem apenas conquistar a própria solidão.
É diferente, é bonitinho, mas é apenas uma curiosidade proporcionada pela teoria do vintão.
A xilogravura é tipo um carimbo, a figura é feita em madeira e reproduzida em pequenos livros para a população que não sabia ler, o artista em questão, Frans Masereel, parece entender do assunto, porque, na época, não existia a tecnologia gráfica que temos hoje, então os desenhos, ainda que cheios de significados, parecem um tanto simples e até mesmo grosseiros, não há uma noção clara de perspectiva ou sequência de eventos, mas acredito que isso faça parte da busca pelo significado de cada gravura.
Em O Sol temos a busca de um homem pelo, bom, Sol. Claro, uma alegoria que parece questionar o que nós estamos dispostos a fazer em busca do que acreditamos.
Em A Ideia - lindíssima - temos a jornada de uma ideia - uma alegoria na forma de uma mulher - que é jogada ao mundo e uma série de coisas boas e ruins parece acontecer, mas demonstra o quão frágil e, paradoxalmente, resiliente uma ideia pode ser, por mais que tentem amordaçá-la, transformá-la, usá-la, ela sempre parece voltar, como diria o mago, ideias não morrem.
Já em História Sem Palavras temos as tentativas de um homem em conquistar uma mulher, as gravuras mostram as diversas promessas e propostas que o homem faz para conquistá-la sem sucesso, até uma reviravolta que talvez envolva a morte ou a transformação em que ele a conquista, paradoxalmente - admito que pode ser eu lendo a minha vida na falta de palavras do autor - eles parecem apenas conquistar a própria solidão.
É diferente, é bonitinho, mas é apenas uma curiosidade proporcionada pela teoria do vintão.
November 16, 2023
Frans Masereel is a pioneer in not only woodcuts and wordless graphic novels but also of auto fiction. In two of the stories, he inserts himself into the story adding much needed commentary and perspective. His works are of notable importance furthering these genres and inspiring other artists. Through beautiful sculpted wood cuts, he draws attention to the rising apathy of modernity and cautions its effect on the human condition. The Idea in particular stands out as it shows the exploitative nature of humanity and the greedy desire to stand out from the crowd at all costs. All in all, Masereel paints the picture of the bleak world where the chase of something is greater than the contentment of having it and the hopeless of life as it were and will be.
However, his work failed to speak to me and felt repetitive in its themes. Definitely recommend it for a quick read!
However, his work failed to speak to me and felt repetitive in its themes. Definitely recommend it for a quick read!
January 2, 2015
✭✭✭½
Incorporates:
Le soleil [The Sun], Frans Masereel (1919). ✭✭✭✭
Idée: sa naissance, sa vie, sa mort [The Idea], Frans Masereel (1920). ✭✭✭
Histoire sans paroles: 60 images dessinées et gravées sur bois [Story without Words], Frans Masereel (1920). ✭✭✭½
Incorporates:
Le soleil [The Sun], Frans Masereel (1919). ✭✭✭✭
Idée: sa naissance, sa vie, sa mort [The Idea], Frans Masereel (1920). ✭✭✭
Histoire sans paroles: 60 images dessinées et gravées sur bois [Story without Words], Frans Masereel (1920). ✭✭✭½
August 8, 2023
Three really good silent comics. Not quite on the same level as Masereel's The City but well worth checking out if you're into the woodcut novels.
The Sun
Not as lushly illustrated as Frans Masereel's The City but this is a pretty fun and weird one. The writer at his writing desk (Masereel himself perhaps) spawns to life a little thought personified as a small man. And this man jumps out the window reaching towards the sun splattering on the concrete below. But this starts an epidemic of people trying to reach the sun. Climbing on to tall objects, getting in a plane, once the sun begins to set a person jumps on a boat to try and reach it. etc.
The Idea
This one is full of symbolism. The writer at his desk, as in The Sun, Masereel himself perhaps, thinks up an idea embodied in a nude woman. This idea is tossed around and goes through a ton during the story including being tried in the court of law, shot at, murdered, comes back to life. Later the writer comes into his own issues being thrown in jail, but the Idea literally nursing him back to health. The Idea gets transmitted through the world on electrical wire, newspaper etc. She goes back to the writer only to have him create a new Idea!
Story Without Words
The weaker of the three stories. This is a simple story of a man trying to court a young woman. Each panel is essentially just him presenting himself to her - peacocking if you will. Presenting gifts, money, nice meals, begging on his hands and knees. He's rebuked at each step until she finally gives in after he threatens suicide. But when the reality of a relationship sets in, he rejects her.
The Sun
Not as lushly illustrated as Frans Masereel's The City but this is a pretty fun and weird one. The writer at his writing desk (Masereel himself perhaps) spawns to life a little thought personified as a small man. And this man jumps out the window reaching towards the sun splattering on the concrete below. But this starts an epidemic of people trying to reach the sun. Climbing on to tall objects, getting in a plane, once the sun begins to set a person jumps on a boat to try and reach it. etc.
The Idea
This one is full of symbolism. The writer at his desk, as in The Sun, Masereel himself perhaps, thinks up an idea embodied in a nude woman. This idea is tossed around and goes through a ton during the story including being tried in the court of law, shot at, murdered, comes back to life. Later the writer comes into his own issues being thrown in jail, but the Idea literally nursing him back to health. The Idea gets transmitted through the world on electrical wire, newspaper etc. She goes back to the writer only to have him create a new Idea!
Story Without Words
The weaker of the three stories. This is a simple story of a man trying to court a young woman. Each panel is essentially just him presenting himself to her - peacocking if you will. Presenting gifts, money, nice meals, begging on his hands and knees. He's rebuked at each step until she finally gives in after he threatens suicide. But when the reality of a relationship sets in, he rejects her.
January 6, 2020
These are reprints of three of Frans Masereel woodcut novels from the 1920s. While inspired by ancient techniques, he also inspired other artists and a new fad of the old craft sprung up in the 1920s. Unfortunately, the Great Depression ended the fad as it ended so many other things. It must be pointed out that these graphic novels came before the advent of Superman, and they are mainly commentaries on the condition of man.
Many people have an idea that old-time literature was filled with Victorian era attitudes and forced to be a squeaky clean as 1950s Tv. Not so. Sexuality and nudity are openly discussed (or displayed) in these stories.
Many people have an idea that old-time literature was filled with Victorian era attitudes and forced to be a squeaky clean as 1950s Tv. Not so. Sexuality and nudity are openly discussed (or displayed) in these stories.
January 23, 2021
The archetypes of heroes who defy gravity to chase the sun. From the Greek Icarus and the Chinese Kua Fu--one died by drowning, the other died of thirst--to Masereel's modern take in The Sun, in which the hero, the helpless romantic, perhaps embodies all artists' desire for the ultimate freedom--death?
October 20, 2021
The Sun and Story Without Words are good, but The Idea is some great shit. Masereel's art is nicely compact, but without losing an unhigned clutter of details that makes his images so entertaining to look at. Wasn't too big a fan of his before, but now I'm thinking of revisiting some of his other stuff.
April 8, 2020
I give 5 stars just for the Story Without Words, while the first two stories are good, the third is the really great one.
I also appreciated the explanation of each story given at the outset so that daft people like myself could understand what they are looking at.
I also appreciated the explanation of each story given at the outset so that daft people like myself could understand what they are looking at.
June 1, 2025
Fascinating, especially after reading the intro. Every year I do the Seattle Summer Book Bingo and read something I probably wouldn’t have otherwise, and it really enriches my reading life. ❤️
August 17, 2025
nuanced, mysterious, iconic
very black metal ⚡️✨🌚
very black metal ⚡️✨🌚
October 7, 2025
Simply not good.
May 10, 2011
While Masereel may have created these back in the 1919 and 1920s, they remain timeless. Without words to date these expressionistic woodcuts, they are also international. Briefly put, The Sun is a struggle with destiny; The Idea depicts the triumph of an artistic concept over suppression; and Story Without Words is a tragic romance. They are also much more detailed and interesting than such short descriptions do justice to.
Masereel, one of the greatest woodcut artists of the 20th century, lived from 1889 until 1972 creating over 20 wordless novels.
Thomas Mann, who he drew illustrations for, put it much better when he commented they are "So compelling, so deeply felt, so rich in ideas, that one never tires of looking at them." I heartily agree and think you will too. So how about taking a break from reading words by reading pictures instead?
The Sun is an all out attempt to reach the sun no matter what and then what happens.
The Idea is the havic of offering a new idea to the general public that does all sorts of things to it.
A Story Without Words is the endless wooing of a women by a man in every way until having bed her, he casts her aside and leaves.
Very interesting and dark.
Masereel, one of the greatest woodcut artists of the 20th century, lived from 1889 until 1972 creating over 20 wordless novels.
Thomas Mann, who he drew illustrations for, put it much better when he commented they are "So compelling, so deeply felt, so rich in ideas, that one never tires of looking at them." I heartily agree and think you will too. So how about taking a break from reading words by reading pictures instead?
The Sun is an all out attempt to reach the sun no matter what and then what happens.
The Idea is the havic of offering a new idea to the general public that does all sorts of things to it.
A Story Without Words is the endless wooing of a women by a man in every way until having bed her, he casts her aside and leaves.
Very interesting and dark.
December 15, 2016
Thumbs go up or down based on whether or not a book was worth the time once the reading, or in this case viewing, is over. None of the stories here reached me, though I have some regard for the endless variations of the first. In every case, I got the point long before the point is made. If context matters, these early attempts to tell stories in pictures alone show an important development, but I finished all three stories not really caring.
November 5, 2015
The idea may be the single best woodcut novel I've read. Beautifully executed expressionist woodcut stories
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews