The Amazing Remarkable Monsieur Leotard (Paperback)

~ (Author), Dan Best (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 10 Up—Etienne, nephew of Jules Leotard, "The Man on the Flying Trapeze," inherits his uncle's blank book and false mustache and creates a new life for himself built on his uncle's reputation. The story is organized into episodes, each a collage of images and text, imaginatively composed to tell the story. Captivating images fill pages, sidebars, and panel sequences. A spread of sheet music for the song "The Man on the Flying Trapeze" serves as the background for images of Leotard performing his acrobatic act across the page. Four square panels in the center of other pages tell the story, while exquisitely rendered background images of the Eiffel Tower, the Titanic, and other locations serve as settings for the action taking place. The story is also a strange montage of historical events including the Prussian siege of Paris and the sinking of the Titanic, historical figures such as John Sanger and Buffalo Bill, lyrics from old songs such as "After the Ball Is Over," numerous puns, and clever asides. With so many events, characters, and side references, this book requires follow-up readings to appreciate the story fully. A rather whimsical cover may give the impression that this is a book for young readers. However, references to historical figures and events, quotations from Nietzsche and Longfellow, as well as a running joke involving an aspect of female anatomy make it better suited to more mature readers.—Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY
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Review

Campbell is perhaps best known for illustrating Alan Moore’s acclaimed From Hell (2000), but the comics he writes as well as draws are equally accomplished if less monumental.  The strongest, such as The Fate of the Artist (2006), are quasi-autobiographical, while recent, more fanciful excursions have a cockeyed charm.  Case in point; this whimsical chronicle of young Etienne, who assumes his uncle’s identity as Monsieur Leotard, the original Man on the Flying Trapeze, as well as the leadership of his uncle’s motley traveling circus.  Etienne leads the troupe, which includes a quartet of performers reminiscent of a superpowered foursome that would hit the comics pages a century later, in a series of adventures coinciding with such epochal events as the Siege of Paris and the wreck of the Titanic.  Campbell’s deftly casual watercolors are as delightful as the freewheeling story, and his formal playfulness matches the tale’s whimsy, with action occurring on the margins and outside the panels and pages incorporating everything from ersatz newspaper accounts and sheet music to Etienne’s childlike notebook drawings.  -- Booklist

 

 

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Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: First Second; First edition. edition (August 5, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596433019
• ISBN-13: 978-1596433014
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #369,487 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Campbell's best in a long time, October 5, 2009

By	Jeffrey S. Nemic - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've read most if not all of Eddie Campbell's books, from his Deadface and Alec books to his most recent How to Be An Artist and The Black Diamond Detective Agency. I think this is one of his best books. It has all the things I love about his work -- great art, an interesting and amusing story, and a bit of whimsy. It was also touching -- something I wasn't expecting. I hope he does more like this...

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars pretty damn charming considering a lawyer co-wrote the thing, April 25, 2009

By	A. Gift For You "the anti-moniter" (New Orleans) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I don't have too much to say, I am sick today. But I saw no one had reviewed this and knew that the situation needed to be rectified. This is a really charming and well done book. I could tell you what I thought of the themes and whatnot, but none of you would care to hear any of that, I'm sure. This is good, buy it.