John Gruen (1926–2016)

Ever since I first encountered the surreal artistry of Rafał Olbiński, on the cover of Meredith Ann Pierce's Treasure at the Heart of the Tanglewood, I have been interested in his work, so when I discovered that he had illustrated a picture-book, I was curious to take a look. Flowers & Fables does not disappoint, at least insofar as the artwork is concerned.

Each of John Gruen's fourteen brief textual snippets, which the publisher is pleased to describe as "fables," is accompanied by a show more full-page, color illustration by Olbiński. Here are travelers, transformed into cypress trees; a lovely woman made of tears and tulips; poplars rising into the sky. Here, in short, are marvelous wonders, and anyone with an eye for beauty will savor the experience of looking through this book.

Unfortunately, as readers they will come away unsatisfied. Gruen's pieces, neither story nor fable, are slight, anemic little bits of text: uninteresting statements of events. That the events in question are fantastic, makes their lack of appeal all the more noticeable: one feels as if they should be evoking some sense of magic. All in all, this is a book I would recommend only to Rafał Olbiński devotees. show less

Each page of this book represents a different flower and a different fable. The flowers relate to each story in their own unique way.
Though I believe a younger student could physically read the tales in this book, I believe they would have trouble understanding it. I had trouble understanding it. I suppose the book is meant to be more poetic and symbolic (which is why I am rating it 2 stars instead one 1), but it was not my cup of tea. I prefer ideas to connect throughout a book, and one show more idea finished before beginning another. I also believe that we the readers are supposed to learn something from fables, but I don't believe I really learned anything. Another positive of the book was it's beautiful illustrations. show less

After an introductory essay on the history of ballet the author leads you on a tour of the greatest ballets over the course of almost a century and a half. Lovely pictures complement synopses that provide a welcome companion for listening, preparation for attendance at a performance, or reminiscing about one's own favorite ballets.

Gruen gives readers fourteen tales of flowers and fables. The unique paintings, sometimes haunting, will surely make readers hard to turn away.