Thésée - Comment naissent les légendes

by Yvan Pommaux

Parce que deux jeunes plongeurs ont remonté de l'épave d'un navire grec un splendide vase qui représente le combat de Thésée contre le Minotaure, l'archéologue qui dirige l'expédition va passer la nuit à leur raconter, à la belle étoile, l'histoire de ce roi d'Athènes qui fut l'inventeur de la démocratie et le héros de tant de légendes et d'œuvres d'art. Avec précision, clarté, luxe de détails et... beaucoup d'humour, Yvan Pommaux nous offre sa version de ce grand mythe, et tout à coup, se promener dans le Labyrinthe devient simplement passionnant.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Mythology, Young Adult, Childrens, Fiction, Comics, Adventure

64 pages, Pocket Book

First published September 1, 2013

About the author

Yvan Pommaux is a beloved children's book author in France who is known for his detailed research and illustration style. In 1995 he was awarded the prestigious Grand Prix de la Ville de Paris. Three schools have been named after him as a testament to the joy and educational appeal of his work for children. Theseus and the Minotaur is Pommaux's first book in English.

Reviews

[Raghu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best illustrated Greek myth series I have found (so far). The stories are rendered near full complexity yet accessible to kids (~ 5+ year olds). TOON Graphics has some interesting books in its collection.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the first time I'm not terribly impressed with a TOON book. What I did like was the art. It amazingly captures the ancient Greek style to perfection. The story is true to the original myth, including even little details such as briefly mentioning leaving Ariadne on an island. It also doesn't skip over the adult themes often found in Greek mythology but manages to allude to them while keeping the book age appropriate. For example the story of how the Minotaur is born of a bull and human. As a great reader of the Greek myths I appreciate all this in good children's retellings. However I found the book an uncomfortable read, especially one labeled a graphic novel and wonder how appealing it actually is to kids. It is a large, picture book size and the story is mostly told in the narrative with illustrated frames and text bubbles which simply reaffirm what has already been told in the text. There are only a few places, mostly nearing the end, where the speech bubbles actually take over in telling the story. Also, since this is a Greek myth there are obviously a lot of strange Greek names that no child will know how to pronounce properly and the editorial decision here was an awkward one. Every time a new proper noun is introduced it is marked with an asterix and footnoted with a pronunciation guide. This ends up creating sentences with multiple asterixis and clusters of tiny phonetic dictionary pronunciations at the bottom of almost every page. It distracted heavily from the flow of reading, imho.

[MarineCAT · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading these stories, because they were a refresher on Greek Mythology without getting too detailed. The illustrations are also fun. I like how the narration comes from a grandfather telling the story to his grandchildren. In a future classroom you could expand on this to have your students retell the story as well.

[Vicki Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book of Greek mythology for kids. It's sort of a graphic novel with lots of illustrations. Also, each page has a pronunciation guide for the Greek names there, quite useful for names I was not familiar with. I'm going to look for others by the author.

[Cara Dore]

Title: Theseus and the Minotaur
Author: Yvan Pommaux
Illustrator: Yvan Pommaux, with digital coloring by Nicole Pommaux
Genre: Myth, Picture Book
Theme(s): Love, jealousy, greed, family, strength, democracy

Opening line/sentence: You asked me to tell you a story… This is an ancient one, a heroic tale that has been told thousands of times, transformed by generations of narrators with fertile imaginations.

Brief Book Summary: This “TOON Graphic” tells the Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur in comic book form. It features cartoon drawings of the events in the myth, complete with speech balloons, upfixes, and reduplications. This retelling of the Theseus myth is geared towards children, as it glosses over some of the gory and sexual components of this tale. An index of characters, trading cards of the characters, a map of Theseus’ journey, and possible discussion questions for teachers and librarians are included at the back of the book.

Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Peter Blenski (Booklist, Sep. 15, 2014 (Vol. 111, No. 2))
In this newest interpretation of the Theseus and Minotaur myth, French illustrator and author Pommaux highlights important moments, from his divine birth to his eventual creation of the first democracy. Pommaux s illustrations focus on light coloring and shading, making the sometimes brutal tale gentle enough for younger audiences. Large splash panels really draw the eye and give a great sense of the story, which should help students who may struggle with reading lengthy blocks of text. Although those looking for a more action-packed, comic book style adaptation may be a touch disappointed, teachers looking for a great resource on this myth will be pleased. Added at the end is an in-depth glossary that further explains characters and topics only briefly mentioned in the text, making it an ideal resource for those learning about this myth for the first time. Additional material such as discussion questions, trading cards of major characters, and a maze might make this useful for a lesson plan on Greek mythology all on its own. A good fit for visual learners. Grades 3-6
(PUBLISHER: TOON Graphics (New York:), PUBLISHED: [2014])

Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, July 15, 2014 (Vol. 82, No. 14))
The tale of Theseus, recast into graphic-novel form. Sound effects and wry dialogue ("Woe is us!" moan the young Athenian victims on their way to Crete) occasionally lighten the drama, but the art, which places small figures in rugged landscapes or period structures built to monumental scale, echoes the interspersed narrative's formal, remote tone. Though the Minotaur displays likewise monumental thews, Theseus looks almost puny by modern hero standards—so much so that his battles with the bull-headed monster and earlier outsized foes (each of which is confined to a single anticlimactic panel) seem less struggles than stylized rituals. Furthermore, the telling is hung about with pedagogical implements: pronunciation guides (in a tiny font), "character cards" for the major players, a wordy annotated index, maps and, on the rear cover, even suggested discussion questions. Robert Byrd's The Hero and the Minotaur (2005) lacks most such extras but tells more of the story, with considerably more vim. Pommaux's suggestion that Theseus neglected to change his ship's black sails because he was "distraught" over leaving Ariadne behind is a nice touch, but it's not enough to rescue this wooden rendition. A distant, uninvolving take on an archetypal hero tale. (bibliography) 2014, TOON/Candlewick, 56 pp., $16.95. Category: Graphic mythology. Ages 10 to 13. © 2014 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.
(PUBLISHER: TOON Graphics (New York:), PUBLISHED: [2014])

Response to Two Professional Reviews:
I am surprised by the negative Kirkus review of Theseus and the Minotaur— I would not call this kid-friendly, comic book-style rendition of an often inaccessible myth “wooden” or “distant.” I do agree with the Blenski review that the large splash panels “give a great sense of the story,” and that the gentle drawings make the brutal story more palatable. I remember feeling that the characters and events in Greek mythology seemed so far-fetched and that the grandiosity of events were not relatable. So, I really enjoyed Pommaux’s retelling because it did break down those “lengthy blocks of texts” into memorable sequences.

Evaluation of Literary Elements:
The comic book style of Theseus and the Minotaur adds expression and illuminating illustration to the story. For an ancient myth, this is a wonderful strength because it makes the tale more memorable and easier to parse. I think the word bubbles add humor and help the reader to understand what characters are thinking. The expressive faces and movements in the illustrations augment readers’ understanding, as well. The color palette is mostly pastel, which makes the read pleasing to the eye.

Consideration of Instructional Application:
Theseus and the Minotaur provides a wonderful example of how choice of format affects how readers understand the story. I would create a lesson in which students read just the printed text of this myth and then they compare it to this retelling. Then, I would have my students transmediate the myth into any medium they choose. In addition, the discussion questions at the end of the book as well as ones students can create on their own provide a strong basis for learning about comparative religions and cultures.

[Amandine - Des histoires et des mots · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un album qui clarifie la mythologie, mais plus difficile à saisir selon moi. A moins que ce ne soit pas dû à l'adaptation mais au mythe original ?
J'ai beaucoup aimé les illustrations au sujet du Minotaure

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Theseus and the Minotaur, by Yvan Pommaux
Pretty intense these Greek gods.
“There’s almost no thread left..”
This series is helpful in that they present much of the background, not just the well-known singular event that is associated with the lives of the personalities. ***

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the story because it was very interesting to see the real story of the Greek myth. I loved it very much. The Percy Jackson books are different because in those books Percy Jackson defeats the minotaur not Thesues.
PS I read this 3 times today

[Bookovaurus Rex · Rating 3 out of 5]

J'adore Pommaux et ça continuera, c'est bien écrit, mais bordel POURQUOI SYSTEMATIQUEMENT EXCLURE L ENLEVEMENT ET L'AGRESSION D HELENE DE SPARTE DE LA BIO DE THESEE LES ENFANTS ONT LE DROIT DE SAVOIR PTN

[Roryy]

Ariadna diosa potra la amo, Teseo una basuraaa

[Manon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Legende intéressante, c'était plaisant de re-découvrir cette histoire.

[Fr4ise I S A A C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Le banger ultime, Thésee mon fils

[Cindy Huskey · Rating 4 out of 5]

So here’s the thing: Theseus and the Minotaur takes one of the most iconic stories from Greek mythology and makes it even cooler. I know, I didn’t think it was possible either. But somehow, this comic does it. Like, it’s not just a retelling of a myth—oh no, it’s an experience. It’s like watching the original Greek myth in 3D, but without the popcorn or awkward theater seats.



Let’s talk about Theseus. The dude's a straight-up hero, right? He’s got that whole "I’m going to bravely walk into a labyrinth and fight a giant monster" thing down, which is just epic material. And honestly, he deserves a comic that actually does him justice. So, props to Theseus and the Minotaur for giving this ancient legend the visual upgrade it so richly deserves.

The art? Oh, it’s so good. French cartoonist Yvan Pommaux doesn’t just throw some doodles on the page. No, no. These illustrations are meticulously crafted with so much detail that you’ll find yourself wondering if you accidentally got a history lesson on ancient Greece and a graphic novel all in one go. Maps? Check. Character cards? Check. A labyrinth of knowledge? Absolutely. This book is like a Greek mythology class for people who are allergic to textbooks.

And can we talk about how this book is so helpful for young readers? Because nothing screams "fun" quite like an index of cited names. Seriously, though, the extra materials (like the maps and mazes) will keep readers coming back for more, so they can relive the glorious moment when Theseus kills the Minotaur. You know, because we all want to feel like we’re part of that victory. It’s basically like a victory lap, but with more mythology and fewer sweaty gym socks.

In short, this book is the comic book you didn’t know you needed to understand the complexities of ancient Greece and also be entertained. It’s like the perfect combo of learning and fun. Just like a good superhero story, but with better fashion and slightly more terrifying monsters. Highly recommend if you like mythological monsters, adventures in mazes, or, you know, anything that requires slaying something.

[Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theseus and the Minotaur is a Greek myth that needs no real introduction or explanation. Master French cartoonist, Yvan Pommaux, does a masterful job starting the story from the very beginning though. We learn of Theseus' mom, Princess Aethra, and how both Poseidon and King Aegeus, "had" her. We see a brief glimpse of her raising her son, Theseus, but during that time we learn a great deal about the background and bitter hatred between Aegeus, King of Athens, and Minos, King of Crete. We are then taught where the Minotaur came from. It wasn't explicit, but there were a few images that were surprising. After this, we see Theseus as an adult and learn of his feats, before he finally meets his father, Aegeus. Theseus then goes off to slay the Minotaur, and does so with some help that he received from King Minos' daughter.

There were things I liked and disliked about this book. Let me start with what I didn't like. For starters, it did not read like a comic book. There were text bubbles, but they were few and far between. It more felt like reading a narration than characters interacting. The other thing I didn't like was the sexual themes in the book. Yes, it's Greek mythology, so it is to be expected, but the suggested reading level is 8+. With these themes, it should be middle school, and probably late middle school at that. What I liked is that this adaptation stayed true to the mythology. I also liked that there was phonetic pronunciations of the hard to pronounce Greek names. This is helpful for kids and adults alike. The index and further readings at the ends were also a nice touch and super helpful. Last, but not least, the illustrations were great, but of course I knew they would be! Overall, a very good graphic novel, just use your judgment on what age to let your children read it.

[Rebecca Sofferman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The classic Greek myth Theseus and the Minotaur told in a graphic novel format. This book contains some great maps showing Theseus’ route, an index of characters and their relationships to each other, a list of further reading, and a set of Internet links. In addition, the book includes a guide for teachers and librarians about how to use the book in an educational setting, and a list of essential questions for discussion. This title could be used as a companion to any Greek mythology studies, or just as an independent reading book for students who are interested in mythology. The use guide and essential questions in the back are nice additions for teachers.

I consider this book to be barely a graphic novel. While the illustrations are fairly well done and definitely help to move the story along, each page has a significant amount of text that is not included in the graphic illustrations. I think text is meant to be captions for the illustrations, based on the way it is laid out on the page (pushed to the edges, with lots of blank space around them), but the text is really tiny and hard to read, and it just doesn’t work well to move the story along. I would rather have seen more of the story told in graphic format. The caption text is very detailed, and I don’t believe very engaging for the students. This would definitely only work for middle school or above. If you would like a better graphic novel of this myth, try the Nel Yomtov version.

[Tim Linder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good little teaser into the story of Theseus and the labyrinth/minotaur. The art is the big draw here and drives the story. Super illustrations; I really dig the artist's style. I had previously read about this Toon Graphics series that was geared at getting kids who are visual learners into different topics thru comics as the medium. I wish that it would have gone into some greater detail of the myths (why nothing about Minos' mother Europa, who was raped by Zeus in the form of the bull when so much of the story was full of bull motifs...was the story of Minos' wife seducing the white Cretan bull with the help of Daedalus enough human on bull action as it was?) such as Daedalus and Icarus and Medea's background, but the book did enough to whet the appetite and leave me wanting to track down some Bulfinch or Edith Hamilton Greek myths. I would certainly recommend this to tween/young teen readers who liked Percy Jackson and are looking for more stories of Greek myths in their original ancient setting.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This graphic novel version of the story of Theseus and his battle with the Minotaur is quite well done, especially in providing background about their parents and their reputations. The pencil and India ink illustrations have been colored digitally and are quite impressive, showing the full range of human emotions and bringing this myth and its characters to life. Depicted here are betrayal, love, and death, the whole range of human emotions. The battle scenes are particularly impressive. Anyone who enjoys mythology will relish this version of the story. By the time it ends, readers will feel quite sorry for the mighty Theseus who loses both father and would-be wife.

[Susanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The artwork is rich with information and feeling, the map at the end is really interesting, and I like the framework of a story within a story that allows the modern day storyteller to modify parts of the story to suit his audience (children) and also allows him to give this ancient tale some important historical context. What I did not like was the awkwardness of the layout and the text and pictures and speech bubbles not flowing together very well. It is easy to get lost on the page.
I would shelve this and also Orpheus in the Underworld with the Greek myths rather than with the graphic novels. I would recommend to 4th grade and up.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Older elementary kids and above will appreciate this graphic novel version of Theseus and the Minotaur. Younger kids will probably not enjoy it as much as there is a fair amount of text. Also, the well-done illustrations are done in a more classical style which is not always as appealing to young children. Not to mention that the subject matter of the classic myths are more likely to be understood by older kids.

[Tracy]

I've been introducing my kid to greek myths and ran across these at my job. Awesome job. Anyway, I'm trying to get my hands on as many of these books as I can. My 12 year old was incredibly interested and wanted me to read every bit of the book.

I enjoyed it.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

This text packed in the story--I felt nothing was left out or shortened. Often I find myself objecting to images artists set for me when they don't match up to the images in my head, but this volume expanded my appreciation for the myth. I especially enjoyed the look and color of the maze.

[Shelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love educational graphic novels! A wonderful resource for even the most reluctant of readers :) Theseus and the Minotaur is done very well including many components of this story that other shorter versions do not. A perfect addition to any elementary/middle school library or classroom.

[Shazzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very small print makes this somewhat inaccessible for emerging readers, but for older readers, fans of Percy Jackson or mythology in general, this is a fun and exciting read, with beautiful artwork.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good graphic retelling of the Greek myth but lacks awesomeness of the graphic retellings by George O'Connor.

[Jen]

helpful backmatter. small font. lots of text for a comic book.

[Lorraine Der]

Library Catalog

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too many characters, too past paced, unappealing characters.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.pussreboots.pair.com/blog/...

[Nica]

cool

[Killua445]

I like this book