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Hypericon
La meravigliosa storia d’amore tra Ruben e Teresa, nella Berlino di fine anni Novanta, si alterna con quella di Howard Carter che, nello scetticismo generale, nel 1922 porta alla luce la tomba di Tutankhamen avvolta nell’oscurità da oltre tremila anni. Il nuovo attesissimo graphic novel di uno dei più grandi autori di fumetto contemporanei. Con Hypericon, come già fatto in Cinquemila chilometri al secondo, Manuele Fior ritorna a raccontare le vibrazioni della giovinezza, le inquietudini del cuore, i legami più forti dello scorrere del tempo. La vita di Teresa è sempre stata una larga e confortevole linea retta. Un’autostrada che l’ha portata, nell’ammirazione generale, a centrare puntualmente tutti gli obiettivi che si era prefissa. E non è un caso se è stata scelta proprio lei, come assistente scientifica per l’allestimento della grande mostra a Berlino del tesoro di Tutankhamen. La linea retta, invece, è del tutto assente nella personalissima geometria di Ruben, giovane e velleitario artista italiano. Per lui, come per tanti coetanei, Berlino alla fine degli anni Novanta è un enorme parco giochi. Un labirinto magico disseminato di opportunità, in cui perdersi è facile e divertente. Quando Teresa e Rubens si incontrano, il destino cambierà per sempre la traiettoria delle loro esistenze.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published October 28, 2022
4 people are currently reading
457 people want to read
About the author
Manuele Fior
59 books127 followersManuele Fior is an Italian cartoonist and illustrator. He was born in Cesena in 1975 and studied architecture at the University of Venice. He worked as an architect, illustrator and comic book artist in Berlin, Oslo and Paris. He currently lives in Venice.
Fior has received recognition for his comics since the 1990s. His most recent graphic novels 5,000 KM Per Second (2009), The Interview (2013), Blackbird Days (2016), Celestia (2021) and Hypericon (2022) have been translated in English by Fantagraphics. His illustration work has been featured in The New Yorker, Le Monde, Vanity Fair, Sole 24 Ore, Internazionale, Rolling Stone Magazine, Les Inrocks.
Fior has received recognition for his comics since the 1990s. His most recent graphic novels 5,000 KM Per Second (2009), The Interview (2013), Blackbird Days (2016), Celestia (2021) and Hypericon (2022) have been translated in English by Fantagraphics. His illustration work has been featured in The New Yorker, Le Monde, Vanity Fair, Sole 24 Ore, Internazionale, Rolling Stone Magazine, Les Inrocks.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
March 31, 2023
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
Hypericon is a graphic novel about two characters in different lives; Howard Carter (an Egyptologist) on the verge of unearthing Tutankhamens tomb in the time period of 1922, and young woman, Theresa, straight off the bus working as an assistant scholar in Berlin working on the discoveries that were found in Tutankhamens tomb (in the year 2001).
I got rather confused in how these two stories gel together apart from being about the discoveries from the tomb. The graphics were great and drew my attention more than the storyline. I'm a little puzzled by this book, in all honesty.
Hypericon is a graphic novel about two characters in different lives; Howard Carter (an Egyptologist) on the verge of unearthing Tutankhamens tomb in the time period of 1922, and young woman, Theresa, straight off the bus working as an assistant scholar in Berlin working on the discoveries that were found in Tutankhamens tomb (in the year 2001).
I got rather confused in how these two stories gel together apart from being about the discoveries from the tomb. The graphics were great and drew my attention more than the storyline. I'm a little puzzled by this book, in all honesty.
March 16, 2023
In 1922, Egyptologist Howard Carter (white and British, of course) is on the brink of the discovery of a lifetime—Tutankhamen's intact tomb. In 2001, Teresa is fresh off the plane in Berlin, ready to start what is, for her, the opportunity of a lifetime—an assistantship working on an exhibition of the treasures in that tomb.
In Berlin, Teresa quickly develops a double life: in one life, she is a high-achieving, motivated professional, the consummate employee. In her other life, she is living in a squat with Ruben, a man about whom she knows little other than that his life is something of an antithesis to the ordered routine she's always followed. This is a Berlin that doesn't fully exist anymore—where the squatters haven't been evicted, and you can tell the former East and West Berlin by the smell of coal, and war-torn (and Soviet) buildings are still being torn down and rebuilt. Teresa mostly slots right in, falling into this odd relationship that she tells us is unusual for her (and then setting about trying to make Ruben change into something more appropriate).
I read this for the setting and the cover, mostly. As it turns out, the art style doesn't really match the cover—the cover is far more detailed, realistic, and painting-like than most of the rest of the book. In places, especially in the wider shots of scenes set in Egypt, the art is like fresh watercolors; elsewhere, it tends to be a bit simpler. (I would have liked to know Teresa's age, because going by appearance she could be anywhere between 20 and 45.) I love the color palette, though, and especially the scenes featuring graffiti.
Parts of this, then, I really liked, like the view of punk Berlin and the look at the excavation (in particular, I loved the way the tomb map repeats throughout the story, getting more detailed as the excavation team learns more). But I don't really understand Teresa and Ruben, both of whom do get something akin to personality grafts near the end of the book, and whose relationship seems largely based on (quite explicit) sex. There's not enough of a plot outside their relationship to feel much in the way of stakes otherwise, which puts a lot of pressure on a relationship that I don't fully understand. And while I'm sure there's significance to Teresa finally overcoming her chronic insomnia just in time for (trying to avoid spoilers here) the big crisis at the end of the book, I'm not sure what that significance is, so the crisis ended up feeling a bit...arbitrary, or voyeuristic, or something. I'm glad I read this, but I'm not sure what to take away from it.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
In Berlin, Teresa quickly develops a double life: in one life, she is a high-achieving, motivated professional, the consummate employee. In her other life, she is living in a squat with Ruben, a man about whom she knows little other than that his life is something of an antithesis to the ordered routine she's always followed. This is a Berlin that doesn't fully exist anymore—where the squatters haven't been evicted, and you can tell the former East and West Berlin by the smell of coal, and war-torn (and Soviet) buildings are still being torn down and rebuilt. Teresa mostly slots right in, falling into this odd relationship that she tells us is unusual for her (and then setting about trying to make Ruben change into something more appropriate).
I read this for the setting and the cover, mostly. As it turns out, the art style doesn't really match the cover—the cover is far more detailed, realistic, and painting-like than most of the rest of the book. In places, especially in the wider shots of scenes set in Egypt, the art is like fresh watercolors; elsewhere, it tends to be a bit simpler. (I would have liked to know Teresa's age, because going by appearance she could be anywhere between 20 and 45.) I love the color palette, though, and especially the scenes featuring graffiti.
Parts of this, then, I really liked, like the view of punk Berlin and the look at the excavation (in particular, I loved the way the tomb map repeats throughout the story, getting more detailed as the excavation team learns more). But I don't really understand Teresa and Ruben, both of whom do get something akin to personality grafts near the end of the book, and whose relationship seems largely based on (quite explicit) sex. There's not enough of a plot outside their relationship to feel much in the way of stakes otherwise, which puts a lot of pressure on a relationship that I don't fully understand. And while I'm sure there's significance to Teresa finally overcoming her chronic insomnia just in time for (trying to avoid spoilers here) the big crisis at the end of the book, I'm not sure what that significance is, so the crisis ended up feeling a bit...arbitrary, or voyeuristic, or something. I'm glad I read this, but I'm not sure what to take away from it.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
February 15, 2023
Tavole bellissime; la storia, però, lascia molto a desiderare.
January 22, 2023
Uno dei migliori illustratori al mondo, ma Hypericon sembra scritto da una sedicenne che ha visto per la prima volta Berlino.
December 24, 2022
Probabilmente il miglior Fior che ho letto fino ad ora.
Meravigliosi i disegni sulla scoperta della tomba di Tutankhamon del 1922, molto vera la storia di Teresa, piena di nostalgia e malinconia la descrizione della Berlino degli anni '90 piena di speranza.
Meravigliosi i disegni sulla scoperta della tomba di Tutankhamon del 1922, molto vera la storia di Teresa, piena di nostalgia e malinconia la descrizione della Berlino degli anni '90 piena di speranza.
April 4, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Le tavole sono stupende, la storia inconsistente.
Le tavole sono stupende, la storia inconsistente.
March 17, 2023
1.5/5
Thank you to the author and the publisher for putting this title as a "read now" on NetGalley.
Unfortunately, I didn't get it.
I tried, but no.
I didn't get what all this meant, I didn't get where the plot was going, I didn't get the purpose of the book and I didn't get the whole Egypt parallelism.
The art felt like a painting so it was visually good, even if not my favorite.
I'm sad, but oh well :(
Thank you to the author and the publisher for putting this title as a "read now" on NetGalley.
Unfortunately, I didn't get it.
I tried, but no.
I didn't get what all this meant, I didn't get where the plot was going, I didn't get the purpose of the book and I didn't get the whole Egypt parallelism.
The art felt like a painting so it was visually good, even if not my favorite.
I'm sad, but oh well :(
January 1, 2024
Duel storylines are happening in this graphic novel. One is with Carter finding the tomb of Tutankhamen in the Valley of the Kings. I’ve read about that discovery in several books but found it the less interesting storyline. The other story has an Italian woman named Teresa getting the opportunity of a lifetime to help an exhibition in Berlin of the Tutankhamen’s treasures in 2001. She struggles with insomnia and when housing is hard to find she finds herself sharing a room with an artist named Ruben. I was more interested in this storyline and had a hard time making the jumps between plots. There is intimacy depicted in the relationship so I’d say this is geared towards adult readers. Thank you to NetGalley and Fantagraphics Books for the temporary ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.
March 17, 2025
Consiglio al mio amico Giacomo per fargli amare ancora di più la capitale tedesca.
June 17, 2023
Wenn man (wie ich zur Zeit) in einem mittelschweren Reading Slump steckt, ist ja weniges angenehmer als die Lektüre einer richtig schönen Graphic Novel. So sagt man, wenn man als erwachsene Person noch Comics lesen, sich dabei aber trotzdem möglichst intellektuell fühlen will. "Graphic Novel".
"Hypericum" von Manuele Fior kam mir also mehr als gelegen. Die zielstrebige Teresa kommt aus Italien in das Berlin der Nachwendezeit, um einen Job im Museum anzutreten. In allem, was sie tut, ist sie bisher die beste gewesen - entsprechend gewissenhaft bereitet sie sich auf die Ausstellung zum Grab Tutanchamuns vor, die sie in den kommenden Monaten begleiten wird. Außerdem trifft sie Ruben, einen etwas verwahrlosten, linken Künstler, der von Zielstrebigkeit nicht besonders viel hält.
In zwei Zeitsträngen begleiten wir Teresa auf ihrem Weg durch Berlin und eine turbulente Romanze, und Howard Carter hinein in das Grab des Pharaos.
Ich will ehrlich sein: Die Story selbst konnte mich nicht so recht mitreißen. Klar, Themen und Settings sind spannend, aber die Charaktere bleiben in diesem eher kurzen Buch zu flach, um sie wirklich lieben lernen zu können. Wenn ich mir aber die restlichen Arbeiten von Manuele Fior so anschaue, glaube ich, dass der Kunststil hier über alles hinwegtröstet. Selten habe ich eine so schöne Graphic Novel gelesen - am liebsten würde ich mir jeden zweiten Frame in Postergröße ausdrucken und an die Wand hängen, thank you very much.
Wer also Bock hat auf ein bisschen altes Ägypten und alternative Berliner Szene um die Jahrtausendwende, der ist in "Hypericum" bestens aufgehoben. Ich hab's gern gelesen, und ich glaube, ein paar von euch würden's feiern.
Ein dickes Danke an den Avant Verlag für das Rezensionsexemplar!
"Hypericum" von Manuele Fior kam mir also mehr als gelegen. Die zielstrebige Teresa kommt aus Italien in das Berlin der Nachwendezeit, um einen Job im Museum anzutreten. In allem, was sie tut, ist sie bisher die beste gewesen - entsprechend gewissenhaft bereitet sie sich auf die Ausstellung zum Grab Tutanchamuns vor, die sie in den kommenden Monaten begleiten wird. Außerdem trifft sie Ruben, einen etwas verwahrlosten, linken Künstler, der von Zielstrebigkeit nicht besonders viel hält.
In zwei Zeitsträngen begleiten wir Teresa auf ihrem Weg durch Berlin und eine turbulente Romanze, und Howard Carter hinein in das Grab des Pharaos.
Ich will ehrlich sein: Die Story selbst konnte mich nicht so recht mitreißen. Klar, Themen und Settings sind spannend, aber die Charaktere bleiben in diesem eher kurzen Buch zu flach, um sie wirklich lieben lernen zu können. Wenn ich mir aber die restlichen Arbeiten von Manuele Fior so anschaue, glaube ich, dass der Kunststil hier über alles hinwegtröstet. Selten habe ich eine so schöne Graphic Novel gelesen - am liebsten würde ich mir jeden zweiten Frame in Postergröße ausdrucken und an die Wand hängen, thank you very much.
Wer also Bock hat auf ein bisschen altes Ägypten und alternative Berliner Szene um die Jahrtausendwende, der ist in "Hypericum" bestens aufgehoben. Ich hab's gern gelesen, und ich glaube, ein paar von euch würden's feiern.
Ein dickes Danke an den Avant Verlag für das Rezensionsexemplar!
December 30, 2023
This graphic novel follows Teresa, a scholar who travels to Berlin for an exhibition on Tutankhamen’s tomb. The story explores Teresa’s new life as she navigates her own ambitions and career, but also juggles her romantic entanglement with Ruben, a carefree man who’s attitude towards life directly opposes hers. Another story runs parallel to theirs, set in 1922 and depicts the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb by Egyptologist Howard Carter.
The art of this graphic novel suits the story well. The muted color palleted and movement lines appropriately engage the written story, and I’d say if this was replaced by a different art style I may not have enjoyed the reading experience as much. The use of Howard Carter’s notes from the original shows attention to detail and I appreciate the research and care that went into crafting the backdrop of this story.
Given this is really a woman’s journey of self discovery, I found the exploration of Teresa and Ruben’s relationship to be somewhat lacking. There’s a lot that is not said on the pages, and while as the reader I can fill in the gaps with a more hopeful take on a tense and manipulative relationship, I feel like Teresa’s journey would benefit from greater nuance prior to the resolution. But the story works well as it is and stays true to the core of the characters.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for this eARC.
The art of this graphic novel suits the story well. The muted color palleted and movement lines appropriately engage the written story, and I’d say if this was replaced by a different art style I may not have enjoyed the reading experience as much. The use of Howard Carter’s notes from the original shows attention to detail and I appreciate the research and care that went into crafting the backdrop of this story.
Given this is really a woman’s journey of self discovery, I found the exploration of Teresa and Ruben’s relationship to be somewhat lacking. There’s a lot that is not said on the pages, and while as the reader I can fill in the gaps with a more hopeful take on a tense and manipulative relationship, I feel like Teresa’s journey would benefit from greater nuance prior to the resolution. But the story works well as it is and stays true to the core of the characters.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for this eARC.
March 14, 2023
An interesting look at the world of museum exhibitions and museum archaeology but not for me i'm afraid
December 9, 2023
Toutankhamon - archéologie - indépendance
Fût un temps, j'étais libraire bd/manga et j'ai eu l'occasion de découvrir quelques pépites, dont celle-ci aux éditions Dargaud que j'ai adoré.
Le lieu prend place dans les années 90 à Berlin où Teresa, brillante étudiante en archéologie et absolument obsédée par le travail d'Howard Carter, a été acceptée pour la préparation d'une grande exposition sur Toutankhamon.
En parallèle, elle fait la rencontre de Ruben, un jeune homme assez fantasque qui est là pour profiter de la vie comme elle vient et avec une philosophie bien à lui.
La bande-dessinée suit deux périodes distinctes : celle de Teresa, entre son travail, sa romance et ses insomnies ; et celle de Howard Carter, à travers la retranscription de ses véritables écrits lors de la découverte du tombeau de Toutankhamon.
Tout le récit est parsemé d'histoires comme de découvertes. Celle avec un grand H, que l'on peut découvrir dans les livres et les musées ; celles qui se font au fil des rencontres, au fil des âges et parfois, des désaccords.
On y voit aussi l'évolution de notre société, à travers des choses devenues anecdotiques, comme la création des téléphones portables ; puis d'autres choses bien plus difficiles comme les attentats du 11 septembre.
Le plus important reste les découvertes de Teresa. Au plus elle creuse de son côté, avance dans son projet professionnel et plus elle se découvre aussi. Comme en parallèle avec les études de ce fameux archéologue, ils iront jusqu'au bout de leur passion.
En réalité, cela fait peu de temps que je visite réellement des musées, mais ça m'a donné plus envie encore d'en visiter ! Et, pourquoi pas, d'y travailler un jour ✨
Fût un temps, j'étais libraire bd/manga et j'ai eu l'occasion de découvrir quelques pépites, dont celle-ci aux éditions Dargaud que j'ai adoré.
Le lieu prend place dans les années 90 à Berlin où Teresa, brillante étudiante en archéologie et absolument obsédée par le travail d'Howard Carter, a été acceptée pour la préparation d'une grande exposition sur Toutankhamon.
En parallèle, elle fait la rencontre de Ruben, un jeune homme assez fantasque qui est là pour profiter de la vie comme elle vient et avec une philosophie bien à lui.
La bande-dessinée suit deux périodes distinctes : celle de Teresa, entre son travail, sa romance et ses insomnies ; et celle de Howard Carter, à travers la retranscription de ses véritables écrits lors de la découverte du tombeau de Toutankhamon.
Tout le récit est parsemé d'histoires comme de découvertes. Celle avec un grand H, que l'on peut découvrir dans les livres et les musées ; celles qui se font au fil des rencontres, au fil des âges et parfois, des désaccords.
On y voit aussi l'évolution de notre société, à travers des choses devenues anecdotiques, comme la création des téléphones portables ; puis d'autres choses bien plus difficiles comme les attentats du 11 septembre.
Le plus important reste les découvertes de Teresa. Au plus elle creuse de son côté, avance dans son projet professionnel et plus elle se découvre aussi. Comme en parallèle avec les études de ce fameux archéologue, ils iront jusqu'au bout de leur passion.
En réalité, cela fait peu de temps que je visite réellement des musées, mais ça m'a donné plus envie encore d'en visiter ! Et, pourquoi pas, d'y travailler un jour ✨
January 27, 2023
La prima cosa che mi ha colpito è stata la copertina, il disegno è davvero meraviglioso!
Le tavole all'interno sono altrettanto belle, quelle che rappresentano le città e, in particolare, quelle della Berlino innevata sono tra le mie preferite.
Ho scoperto che rispetto ad altri lavori di Fior - che io leggo per la prima volta - questa graphic è leggermente inferiore.
A me è piaciuto come la storia di vita di Teresa si intreccia con quella della scoperta di Tutankhamon per mano di Howard Carter nel 1922 (vera, tra l'altro). Al contrario, la storia d'amore della protagonista non mi ha fatto impazzire.
3.5 🌟
Le tavole all'interno sono altrettanto belle, quelle che rappresentano le città e, in particolare, quelle della Berlino innevata sono tra le mie preferite.
Ho scoperto che rispetto ad altri lavori di Fior - che io leggo per la prima volta - questa graphic è leggermente inferiore.
A me è piaciuto come la storia di vita di Teresa si intreccia con quella della scoperta di Tutankhamon per mano di Howard Carter nel 1922 (vera, tra l'altro). Al contrario, la storia d'amore della protagonista non mi ha fatto impazzire.
3.5 🌟
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2023
"Le sommeil vous savez ce que c'est ? Une invention de l'homme pour qu'on ne remarque pas la durée de la nuit. Un couloir sécurisé qui préserve nos sens des effets du temps qui passe. [•••] Parce que moi, les démons de la nuit, je dois les affronter toute seule."
February 2, 2023
mi piace molto come disegna Fior però la storia è un po' troppo teen drama per i miei gusti
January 5, 2024
Review on Hypericum by Manuele Fior ( 3. 25 ⭐)
An Italian girl in her 20s, Teresa, moves to Berlin to organize the exhibit of King Tut’s treasure. A chance encounter with a bohemian wanna-be artist, Ruben, leads to an impulsive romance. As they explore the new city together, the romantic connection feels like an escape from responsibilities. It has moments of toxic codependence.
Another story depicted parallel to this is Carter’s Discovery of King Tut’s tomb.
What worked:
The beginning gave me a very Before Trilogy vibe, following a stranger impulsively and exploring an unknown city with them. The dual storylines allow the artist room to exhibit skill range. The archeological vibes were on point, and there was peace in the desert paintings while waiting for the tomb to reveal its secrets.
There was a conversation around the perception of time, the social commentary on changing Berlin, and the alienation of the night, I enjoyed that.
The hiding of inner Teresa’s journey of self-awareness in Carter’s external journey of discovering the tomb of Tutankhamun was a clever angle. The realistic and subtle description of love as a distraction from challenges in life was on point.
What didn’t work:
I liked Ruben. His curiosity, childlike loudness, going with-the-flow, and whimsical nature were likable, however, his evading doing the art made me like him less.
The connection of Hypericum between the two stories felt fabricated, a means to an end. It ruined the impact of the small conversations I enjoyed in the book. The graphic sexual representations felt low-key redundant.
Vibes: archeological expedition, Before Trilogy, complicated feelings, realistic relationships.
I thank NetGalley and Fantagraphics Books for the eArc copy of this book. I am grateful for the opportunity, wishing you success with the release!
An Italian girl in her 20s, Teresa, moves to Berlin to organize the exhibit of King Tut’s treasure. A chance encounter with a bohemian wanna-be artist, Ruben, leads to an impulsive romance. As they explore the new city together, the romantic connection feels like an escape from responsibilities. It has moments of toxic codependence.
Another story depicted parallel to this is Carter’s Discovery of King Tut’s tomb.
What worked:
The beginning gave me a very Before Trilogy vibe, following a stranger impulsively and exploring an unknown city with them. The dual storylines allow the artist room to exhibit skill range. The archeological vibes were on point, and there was peace in the desert paintings while waiting for the tomb to reveal its secrets.
There was a conversation around the perception of time, the social commentary on changing Berlin, and the alienation of the night, I enjoyed that.
The hiding of inner Teresa’s journey of self-awareness in Carter’s external journey of discovering the tomb of Tutankhamun was a clever angle. The realistic and subtle description of love as a distraction from challenges in life was on point.
What didn’t work:
I liked Ruben. His curiosity, childlike loudness, going with-the-flow, and whimsical nature were likable, however, his evading doing the art made me like him less.
The connection of Hypericum between the two stories felt fabricated, a means to an end. It ruined the impact of the small conversations I enjoyed in the book. The graphic sexual representations felt low-key redundant.
Vibes: archeological expedition, Before Trilogy, complicated feelings, realistic relationships.
I thank NetGalley and Fantagraphics Books for the eArc copy of this book. I am grateful for the opportunity, wishing you success with the release!
December 27, 2023
Thank you Fantagraphics for a copy of Hypericum!
Hypericum by Manuele Fior is a good fit for those seeking a poignant and visually stunning exploration of love, history, and personal growth, with a focus on the transformative power of time and the interconnectedness of human experiences.
Hypericum is for anyone looking for...
- gorgeous art
- exploration of love
- personal growth
- interconnectedness of human experiences
Blurb: It's 2001, and Teresa, a young Italian suffering from insomnia and a generally fragile state of mind, has just arrived in Berlin with a grant to help organize an exhibit of Tutankhamen's treasure. Though she finds support in Ruben, a fellow Italian expat, she struggles to keep it together. Her one anchor is reading Howard Carter's book about his discovery of King Tut's tomb in 1922, finding solace in the Egyptologist's writing and the thought of that noble young pharaoh resting undisturbed for three thousand years.
Review:
The art is gorgeous in this graphic novel, especially the 1922 plot line. I do wish there was more emphasis on Carter and Teresa's interconnectedness; however, due to the romance plot, I felt it took away from the main story. Overall, a quick read on history and our connection to it!
Hypericum by Manuele Fior is a good fit for those seeking a poignant and visually stunning exploration of love, history, and personal growth, with a focus on the transformative power of time and the interconnectedness of human experiences.
Hypericum is for anyone looking for...
- gorgeous art
- exploration of love
- personal growth
- interconnectedness of human experiences
Blurb: It's 2001, and Teresa, a young Italian suffering from insomnia and a generally fragile state of mind, has just arrived in Berlin with a grant to help organize an exhibit of Tutankhamen's treasure. Though she finds support in Ruben, a fellow Italian expat, she struggles to keep it together. Her one anchor is reading Howard Carter's book about his discovery of King Tut's tomb in 1922, finding solace in the Egyptologist's writing and the thought of that noble young pharaoh resting undisturbed for three thousand years.
Review:
The art is gorgeous in this graphic novel, especially the 1922 plot line. I do wish there was more emphasis on Carter and Teresa's interconnectedness; however, due to the romance plot, I felt it took away from the main story. Overall, a quick read on history and our connection to it!
February 18, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book!
Love love love the style of this graphic novel. It does truly feel like art and I adore it.
The bits in German were nice because they help place the story and the struggles she’s facing
As a character a bit erratic because of her sleep which I understand because I had that too for so long. The way she snaps at him when they were almost found out in that place, the way she can be so hard were all things I found really relatable and very real in her.
All in all, love it!
Love love love the style of this graphic novel. It does truly feel like art and I adore it.
The bits in German were nice because they help place the story and the struggles she’s facing
As a character a bit erratic because of her sleep which I understand because I had that too for so long. The way she snaps at him when they were almost found out in that place, the way she can be so hard were all things I found really relatable and very real in her.
All in all, love it!
July 24, 2025
I think I'm going to be chewing on this one for a while in my head.
Beautifully illustrated and complex. It's a large book with large, hand-painted illustrations, the better to help bridge the gap between times.
Also I appreciate that a graphic novel for adults isn't afraid to depict sex in all its messiness.
Beautifully illustrated and complex. It's a large book with large, hand-painted illustrations, the better to help bridge the gap between times.
Also I appreciate that a graphic novel for adults isn't afraid to depict sex in all its messiness.
October 25, 2025
Història d'autodescobriment i d'amor turbulenta que entén les relacions de parella i el temps d'una forma molt similar: com un llenguatge propi que evoluciona, ens modela, ens acosta i ens allunya. Dota als paisatges urbans i a la pròpia història d'una organicitat tangible que cohesiona el relat d'una manera molt bella i original.
I quin estil més bonic i cuidat!
I quin estil més bonic i cuidat!
July 17, 2023
Grosse Entdeckungen des 20. Jahrhunderts und der Anbruch des neuen Jahrtausends werden in der Graphic Novel «Hypericum» von Manuele Fior in wunderschönen Bildern zusammengebracht.
Als Teresas nach Berlin geladen wird, um als wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin bei der Tutanchamun-Ausstellung mitzuarbeiten, hat die junge Frau ein weiteres Ziel in ihrem Leben erreicht. Scheinbar ohne Anstrengung, doch die Augenringe in ihrem Gesicht sagen etwas anderes. Schlaflose Nächte, Selbstzweifel und die chaotische Beziehung zu Ruben gestalten die Tage unberechenbar.
(...)
Die gesamte Kritik jetzt bei Phosphor Kultur.
Als Teresas nach Berlin geladen wird, um als wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin bei der Tutanchamun-Ausstellung mitzuarbeiten, hat die junge Frau ein weiteres Ziel in ihrem Leben erreicht. Scheinbar ohne Anstrengung, doch die Augenringe in ihrem Gesicht sagen etwas anderes. Schlaflose Nächte, Selbstzweifel und die chaotische Beziehung zu Ruben gestalten die Tage unberechenbar.
(...)
Die gesamte Kritik jetzt bei Phosphor Kultur.
November 15, 2023
Sterk verhaal, meerlagig en knap vorm gegeven. Hedendaags Berlijn en vroeg 20ste eeuws Egypte, de archeologische vondst in 1922 van Toetanchamons graf en de moeizame relatie van een slapeloze onderzoekster met een punk/kraker/graficus/fils-à-papa. Wat egyptologie op de koop toe, intrigerend.
December 28, 2024
Un trabajo inocuo, que no deja poso alguno. Las analogías entre la relación de los protagonistas y el descubrimiento de la tumba de Tutankamon son tan ingenuas como forzadas. Se lee rápido y se olvida aun más rápido. Decepcionante.
March 24, 2023
إسلوب الرسم والألوان المستعملة جميلة.... كل شيء ثاني ؟ ما عيبني :|
July 29, 2024
"Weet je waarom mensen slapen? Om niet te merken hoe lang de nacht duurt."
August 13, 2024
Beautiful.
January 29, 2023
Lettura serale perfetta
October 5, 2024
Non c’è modo migliore di illustrare la nostalgia raccontando di quella volta in cui il tempo non ha distrutto, non ha schiacciato, non ha causato il crollo né ha discolorato, ma, fallendo la sua usuale opera certosina, per una volta ha preservato, intatto, un eterno presente...
Potete leggere la mia recensione completa su "L'Amletico", cliccando sul link qui sotto:
https://www.lamletico.it/articoli/man...
Potete leggere la mia recensione completa su "L'Amletico", cliccando sul link qui sotto:
https://www.lamletico.it/articoli/man...
October 30, 2024
Zou zeggen 3 sterren maar er worden zaken bijgehaald die niets met het verhaal te maken hebben daarom eentje minder
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