Three Shadows (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Rarely has the succulent appeal of quiet country life been portrayed with such sensual skill as it is in Pedrosa's limpid graphic novel about a boy, his parents and the trio of hooded riders who watch them. Pedrosa adeptly establishes the mood of timeless bucolic idyll immediately, with his swirling, sometimes harshly etched, black-and-white renderings of the land cultivated by hulking farmer Louis; his wife, Lise; and their scampering boy, Joachim. The family's playful antics are overshadowed first by ruminative narration, then by three riders, who watch the family with unnerving patience from the foggy distance. A local witch tells Lise that the shadows have come for Joachim, after which Louis impetuously makes a run for it with his son, warned that he must treasure every moment with the boy. The resulting story is more Appointment in Samarra–style dream than chase, with Louis and Joachim floundering from one mysterious episode to the next, the implacable shadows following, as in a nightmare. French artist Pedrosa's background as a Disney animator is clearest in his exaggerated movements and facial expressions, but the story (inspired by the death of a close friend's young child) is a glorious and revelatory fable, beautiful in its grief. (Apr.)
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From Booklist

Country life is simple and sweet for young Joachim and his parents, Louis and Lise—filled with cozy winter nights, lazy summer days, and, always, the chores associated with running the orchards. One day three Shadows appear on the horizon, and everything changes. Louis and Lise know that these shadowy fates have come for Joachim. Determined to save the boy, Louis flees with Joachim, desperate to stay one step ahead of the deathly Shadows. Pedrosa’s intriguing, poignant fable unfolds beautifully in both words and pictures. The fluidity of the art reflects Pedrosa’s roots in animation, and the high-contrast shading effectively underscores the tension and emotion of the narrative. One brief instance of nonsexualized nudity should be noted, but that detracts not at all from this dark, well-crafted tale. Grades 9-12. --Tina Coleman

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: First Second (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159643239X
• ISBN-13: 978-1596432390
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #231,432 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars TOUCHING, VIVIDLY IMAGINED, & BEAUTIFULLY DRAWN, June 12, 2008

By	Jamie S. Rich (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book reminds me of the early work of Scott Morse, particularly SOULWIND, both in terms of some of the fantasy elements but also in the storytelling influences Cyril Pedrosa brings into his narrative. You will see shades of Disney, European comics, and traditional Japanese painting.

The story involves a family living on a remote farm in an imaginary country who one day see three horses and riders in the distance. Believing they have come for his son, the father tries to take the boy far away, hoping to outrun these dark harbingers. The plot is largely about the bonds of family and the strange people along their journey who run counter to their beliefs and their mission. At times, the structure meanders a bit, particularly in a side story near the end that actually follows the three shadows on a misadventure, but these are forgivable quirks. THREE SHADOWS is otherwise touching, vividily imagined, and beautifully drawn.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique and touching, March 4, 2009

By	Urban Alchemy Press (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews

Every once in a while, among the sea of graphic novels flooding the market, one hits you right between the eyes. As the father of a young child (and son, no less) Three Shadows did just that. Using a real-life tragedy, Cyril Pedrosa successfully pours his emotions on the pages and takes the reader on a journey that runs the gamut of emotions. I don't usually purchase GN's (one read from the library is usually enough), but I bought and have read this story three times so far, finding more depth each time. It's unfortunate that the loss of a child can bring out such a touching work, but Pedrosa can rest assured that through that loss I have contemplated what it means to be a father and (I hope) it has made me a better one. Highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible, October 17, 2009

By	Timothy Livingston (Pensacola, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've read a lot of graphic novels an comics in my life. This may be the best one ever.