Clyde Fans: Book-1 (Bk.1) Hardcover – July 1, 2004

Some people say a picture says a thousand words. Fair enough, however with Seth you would have to double that. In the print media we have seen many classics especially in the standard printed novel media. Many literature classics as the big fat novels written by Charles Dickens seem to take forever to develop a plot and to reach a viable and entertaining conclusion. Other writers such as Hemingway are able to make short work with their prose and are to be commended. In Seth's graphic depiction of Clyde Fans Book One, we see the very best of all print media. Seth divides his work into two sections. The first book introduces the reader to Clyde Fans Company in 1997 through the narration of Abraham Matchcard and Seth's haunting graphic depiction of the old Company offices, apartment and city scenes. In utilizing old man Abraham ,Seth does remind me of what Thorton Wilder utilized in the use of the Stage Manager in his three act play "Our Town". Seth's prose and graphic scenes of Book One sets the scene for the subsequent Book Two set 40 years before in 1957 with the actions of his brother Simon . With Seth many of his scenes don't even need words, the graphic depictions hauntingly tell the story. This brings up another media comparison with Seth. His graphics are the best of all in the graphic novel genre. His background scenes of 1957 make you think you were living in that era. In fact his graphic illustrations can be compared to Edward Hopper. It's not that his art is like Hopper's but he brings the sense of isolation, loneliness and deep thought in all his illustrations. This sense of graphic illustration involves deep thought which emanates from the talented pen of Seth. I am looking forward to Book 2 of Clyde Fans. Seth sets the standard of all graphic novelists/artists. 10 Stars!! No Problem!!!

I am a huge Seth fan. This book is beautiful with beautiful artwork. I savored every panel of artwork. The artwork is so beautiful that I found myself lingering on many panels just to enjoy the view, unique perspective or mood.

A gorgeous graphic novel by Seth [http://www.drawnandquarterly.com/artStudio.php?artist=a3dff7dd55a576], this first volume of a two volume collection follows a man as he reflects on his career and his family as the booming industrial and civic entrepreneurship era expands in Palookaville (his beautiful and original shining city). It is beautifully illustrated and produced as a gorgeous volume that sucks the observer into the world that Seth has created on and off the page. After listening to an interview with him on The Virtual Memories Show (http://chimeraobscura.com/vm/podcast-archive), I was fascinated by looking him up as I have seen his work in The New Yorker and other media, yet have not entirely investigated his published texts.What is most admirable about the work is his ability to draw his audience into the story, and the fully realized cardboard city in his basement is entirely believable to his audience because it is three-dimensional in real life. Gorgeous illustrations and a captivating story bring the audience into the mood of the piece by simply inviting us into the anxieties and melancholy of the characters on the page. His artwork is captivating and simple, and it is a pleasure to be invited into experiencing the life of his fan-toting protagonist. We feel his anxieties, and understand the striking apocalypse of industry as globalization and the post-industrial era creeps into the life of our characters. A gorgeous and beautiful book, right down to the scent of the ink wafting from the page as you read.

"Clyde Fans, Book 1" is the first part of Seth's masterpiece. It follows the fortunes of the two Matchcard brothers in the fan business. The book is divided into two parts with the first part set in the present following the Clyde Fans business with the confident brother, Abraham Matchcard, talking to the reader about the business, how it started, how it fared, his life now, and his relationship with his brother.The second part is set in the past with Simon Matchcard, the shy brother, trying to become successful as a fan salesman like his brother and how he fares along the way. Simon's lack of experience shows and he doesn't sell any fans and hides out in a hotel. This second part is almost entirely wordless compared to the first part with masses of dialogue from Abraham. The ending leaves the reader wanting to see what Simon does as he ends up at night on an empty "Crazy Golf" course.I don't really want to criticise Seth as I adore his work. "It's a Good Life If You Don't Weaken" is brilliant, and "Wimbledon Green" is a comic masterwork. "Vernacular Drawings" is a gorgeously produced book of the artist's paintings and I can't wait to read "George Sprott" which is on order."Clyde Fans" though is a bit so so. Abraham's story is a bit mundane and follows the usual Seth gripe of "things were better in the past even though I know they probably weren't" and so we get anecdotes about how business was good and how technology has moved on and left small businesses in the dust, real John Steinbeck type stuff.But the artwork is as wonderful as always, especially in Simon's story where there are haunting images, perhaps indicative of Simon's state of mind, of ordinary landscapes given surreal beauty by Seth's hand. I guess I'm saying I liked it but it wasn't a gripping read. It is the first part mind and so sets up the story for the next part but as for it being Seth's supposed masterpiece, well, I'm hoping Part 2 picks up the pace a bit.

"Clyde Fans, Book 1" is the first part of Seth's masterpiece. It follows the fortunes of the two Matchcard brothers in the fan business. The book is divided into two parts with the first part set in the present following the Clyde Fans business with the confident brother, Abraham Matchcard, talking to the reader about the business, how it started, how it fared, his life now, and his relationship with his brother.The second part is set in the past with Simon Matchcard, the shy brother, trying to become successful as a fan salesman like his brother and how he fares along the way. Simon's lack of experience shows and he doesn't sell any fans and hides out in a hotel. This second part is almost entirely wordless compared to the first part with masses of dialogue from Abraham. The ending leaves the reader wanting to see what Simon does as he ends up at night on an empty "Crazy Golf" course.I don't really want to criticise Seth as I adore his work. "It's a Good Life If You Don't Weaken" is brilliant, and "Wimbledon Green" is a comic masterwork. "Vernacular Drawings" is a gorgeously produced book of the artist's paintings and I can't wait to read "George Sprott" which is on order."Clyde Fans" though is a bit so so. Abraham's story is a bit mundane and follows the usual Seth gripe of "things were better in the past even though I know they probably weren't" and so we get anecdotes about how business was good and how technology has moved on and left small businesses in the dust, real John Steinbeck type stuff.But the artwork is as wonderful as always, especially in Simon's story where there are haunting images, perhaps indicative of Simon's state of mind, of ordinary landscapes given surreal beauty by Seth's hand. I guess I'm saying I liked it but it wasn't a gripping read. It is the first part mind and so sets up the story for the next part but as for it being Seth's supposed masterpiece, well, I'm hoping Part 2 picks up the pace a bit.

Excellent

Non è la prima volta che acquisto un fumetto avendone solo sentito parlare, e in lingua inglese, quindi sapevo cosa mi avrebbe aspettato. Devo dire però che questo romanzo illustrato risulta abbastanza difficile come testi, e un po' noioso come trama. I disegni sono comunque molto belli. Consigliato, ma solo se lo trovate tradotto in italiano.

Une oeuvre maîtresse selon moi. Très bien illustrée. Narration remarquable! Un exemple.