Notes for a War Story

by Gipi

Book Overview

"The war arrived in our village on the 18th of January. Obviously there were other wars going on, but they didn't have anything to do with us. There were wars for blacks. Wars for Arabs. Wars for Slavs. Our war started on the 18th of January, and in a few days, everything had changed." So recounts Giuliano, a loner among outsiders, one of three young drifters caught up in the whirlwind of a war in the Balkans. The three boys are like passing shadows; they live in abandoned houses, dodge the occasional bomb, and steal car parts for money. Meeting Felix--a powerful, fast-talking mercenary--changes everything for them. Felix is an expert manipulator; he speaks to their ambition and to their desires for power, wealth, and purpose. They're instantly hooked, especially the trio's unofficial leader, Stefano, and they soon escalate from petty crime to working on behalf of a mafia-style militia, bullying and extorting money in Felix's name. But as Giuliano comes to realize, they don't know what they're fighting for--if they're even fighting for anything. Notes for a War Story is an astonishing look at life in a lawless, war-torn nation, heightened by the harsh, moving, pencil and watercolor artwork of Italy's best graphic novel author.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1596432616
• ISBN13: 9781596432611
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: First Second
• Length: 123 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.1" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 14 to 19 years
• Grade Range: Grade 9 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Master of storytelling

Its really hard to find a comic artist in the magnitude of the old masters in this pile of superhero and manga garbage of today but Gipi really gets close to the likes of Hugo Pratt, Moebius and the other gods imo. Not only he is as good but he lacks the superficialims and narcissism that some of these great artists had (Manara comes to mind). He doesnt draw just to make beautiful pictures but to make his characters and stories jump of the page. His lines are simple and flow incredibly with the motion, feelings and mood of his characters. His watercolors blend magically and add depth and atmopshere in a natural way. Storytelling and pace is excellent and I do love his complex characters and imaginative and lively dialogue. A true genious.

Gritty Reality of War Torn Life

I read this on the heals of watching "Children of God." In some ways there were similar themes of children turned to a life of guns, crime...war. This novel also brought to mind tales of my friends who experienced the war first hand in Bosnia and Croatia. And even of those who now have had to live with the war in Iraq on their turf. Gipi never stipulates place...because this could be anywhere. The style is unique. The story is gripping. A graphic novel which certainly stays with you long after you've set it down.

Amazing

This is probably one of the most amazing comics I've ever read. The watercolors are gorgeous and the story is compelling. Gipi is truly a master of his craft.