The Lagoon (Hardcover)

~ Lilli Carre (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Here’s an almost cozy story of how a creature from the literally black lagoon holds a spiritual connection to several generations of a small family. Carré’s black-and-white cartoons are a step away from Kim Deitch: a bit more wobbly, befitting the rural and often watery settings. Zoey, a young girl who lives near the woods-enshrouded lagoon with her parents and grandfather, becomes increasingly aware of the nocturnal activities involving the adults and the small, damp dragon-sprite. The symbol-rich tale offers readers a smorgasbord of sounds—piano, whistling, a metronome’s monotony, tapping fingers—in addition to the mysterious yet homely landscapes, which include corners of the house and a fire in the yard as well as the depths of the grassy lagoon. The narrative drive isn’t lost at the expense of all this symbolism; on the contrary, this slim volume packs abundant energy and demands regular revisiting. --Francisca Goldsmith

Review

The Lagoon is a horror story, if a low-key one; like much of the best horror it makes the connection between horror and the absurd... Carré's sinuous, snaking treatment of sound provides a through-line... but it still feels disconnected in ways that few writers today are gutsy enough to attempt. The overall effect is like Clive Barker fed through a twee filter. This'll stick to you. (Sean T. Collins )

The Lagoon is a peculiar book, continually confounding the reader's expectations. It starts out in many ways like a mystery or thriller novel does... But as the book progresses, it turns into a very different beast (no pun intended); a hidden romance, a story about longings, and family relationships... [T]his is a story that feels lush and moody in a way that comics often try to be but rarely succeed... a very solid, well-crafted book, and whatever Carré’s next project is, it’ll be one to keep an eye out for. (Greg McElhatton - Read About Comics )

An odd yet enchanting story…guaranteed to haunt you well after reading. (Pedro Cabzuelo )

Carré’s book suggest a sonata of melodic lines and flowing-panel rhythms, with just a hint of sexual menace. (Richard Gehr - The Village Voice )

Cryptic and metaphorical, a mystery that we are not invited to the core of—but the mood the book brings with it lingers on. (John E. Mitchell - North Adams Transcript )

Simultaneously matter of fact and otherworldly. (Kate Fitzsimons - Publishers Weekly )

This slim volume packs abundant energy and demands regular revisiting. (Francisca Goldsmith - Booklist )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 80 pages
• Publisher: Fantagraphics Books (October 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560979542
• ISBN-13: 978-1560979548
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: No customer reviews yet. Be the first.
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #281,540 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)