The Book of Imprudent Flora

by Claudio Romo

Claudio Romo is a revelation. Simply the most exciting discovery to come out of Chile since Roberto Bolao, Alejandro Zambra or Lina Meruane. Though one finds hints of Italo Calvino and a nod to Jules Verne, he deftly combines the narrative arts of literature and illustration to create a form all his own, part graphic novel, part imaginary bestiary. With stunning illustrations throughout, the book is written as a travel diary by Lzaro de Sahagn, eminent naturalist and explorer and concerns his voyage to a mysterious isle and subsequent cataloguing of the astonishing life forms, each with a unique history and mode of existence. Perhaps as Lzaro muses, if the earth is a living organism as he believes, places like this island are necessary for the planet to safeguard these marvelous species from future periods of global decadence. The Book of Imprudent Flora is a codex for the new millennium, full of the wonder of discovery and the sorrow of loss.

Genres: Fiction

64 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2018

About the author

Destacado ilustrador chileno, profesor de dibujo y grabado en la Universidad de Concepción.

Reviews

[Thijs Werkman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dit is een prachtig boek om te zien met prachtige afbeeldingen en zeer fantasievol. De reden dat ik er 3 sterren aan geef is de samenhang.

[Morpheus Lunae · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book doesn't really know what it wants to be. It sets its aims quite high but it also is quite short, the story isn't fully fleshed out, the texts describing the imaginary plants are quite shallow, and the illustrations are unfortunately a mixed bag as well. Some are amazing, others are bland. This book had quite some potential but ultimately it's just kinda "alright".

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Il libro parte con un naufragio su un'isola sperduta e si sviluppa come una descrizione dettagliata e corredata di immagini della flora immaginaria dell'isola. L'idea è carina, ma non sarebbe nulla di che se non fosse per i disegni dell'autore che rendono il libro davvero spettacolare!!!

[Pablocstl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un bellísimo trayecto abstracto e hipnótico.