The Moon Moth [graphic adaptation]
by Jack Vance, Humayoun Ibrahim (Illustrator)
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Edwer Thissell is having trouble adjusting to life on the planet Sirene. The Sirenese all wear masks to indicate their social status. They also communicate by playing instruments that are carefully selected for any social situation. (To make matters worse, errors of musical etiquette often prove fatal.) Shortly after Thissell arrives on Sirene, he finds himself embroiled in an unsolved murder made all the more mysterious by the fact that since everyone must always wear a mask, you can never show more be sure who you are dealing with. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
The Moon Moth is a story written once upon a time by the author Jack Vance, an icon of storytelling and science fiction alike. This graphic novel captures both the story, and in all honesty it also captures the author. Both in essence, in spirit and in art - though I should mention that one has to be familiar with either author or his works to instinctively recognise this.
If you are not familiar with the life and style of the author, that is not going to get in the way of enjoying this work. The illustrator, Humayoun Ibrahim, has not simply captured both story and author in all their aspects in his art, he has also managed to create a stage which captures your attention profoundly.
Be advised though, it is not your run of the mill artist show more adaptation, far from it. It is not simply an illustrated edition. It is a work of art, as each scene encapsulates the tale within in a style that is extremely suitable. And very well done.
I enjoyed this. Not simply because I had the opportunity to read this work as I was fortunate enough to receive a review copy from the publisher, but because to me the illustrator has managed to preserve the story, capturing it in a uniquely suited style, without tainting the memories I had of reading the original work. On the contrary, it provided a very captivating and refreshing taste to the whole.
Yes, as I said this is not a quick snap easy illustrated edition. It's much more than that. I dare say that if you give it the chance, and let it sink in with you page by page, you will see how this edition is a good example of how the whole can be even more than the sum of its parts. show less
If you are not familiar with the life and style of the author, that is not going to get in the way of enjoying this work. The illustrator, Humayoun Ibrahim, has not simply captured both story and author in all their aspects in his art, he has also managed to create a stage which captures your attention profoundly.
Be advised though, it is not your run of the mill artist show more adaptation, far from it. It is not simply an illustrated edition. It is a work of art, as each scene encapsulates the tale within in a style that is extremely suitable. And very well done.
I enjoyed this. Not simply because I had the opportunity to read this work as I was fortunate enough to receive a review copy from the publisher, but because to me the illustrator has managed to preserve the story, capturing it in a uniquely suited style, without tainting the memories I had of reading the original work. On the contrary, it provided a very captivating and refreshing taste to the whole.
Yes, as I said this is not a quick snap easy illustrated edition. It's much more than that. I dare say that if you give it the chance, and let it sink in with you page by page, you will see how this edition is a good example of how the whole can be even more than the sum of its parts. show less
"The Moon Moth" was my introduction to Jack Vance, a story I have read and enjoyed for many years. When I saw that a graphic novel adaptation was in the works, I put it on my wishlist, and upon reading it, was not disappointed.
Ibrahim's illustrations do justice to the source material, finally giving concrete form to the names of the masks, the instruments, and the culture of Sirene. I particularly appreciated the way that the dialogue bubbles changed depending on the instrumental accompaniment. It is the sort of thing that only a graphical medium can accomplish, and it was used unerringly.
I'm not sure how well the story would read to someone who was not already very familiar with the original. Much of the world building text in the show more story is left out, but the art captures and expands upon it nicely.
Recommended for fans of Vance, or anyone who enjoys good, detailed world building. show less
Ibrahim's illustrations do justice to the source material, finally giving concrete form to the names of the masks, the instruments, and the culture of Sirene. I particularly appreciated the way that the dialogue bubbles changed depending on the instrumental accompaniment. It is the sort of thing that only a graphical medium can accomplish, and it was used unerringly.
I'm not sure how well the story would read to someone who was not already very familiar with the original. Much of the world building text in the show more story is left out, but the art captures and expands upon it nicely.
Recommended for fans of Vance, or anyone who enjoys good, detailed world building. show less
A really fun adventure, ingenious world-building, and social commentary. I will definitely be reading more Jack Vance.
Wildly imaginative art and story. I suspect I would appreciate this book more if I were familiar with the short story from which this is adapted.
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Author Information

373+ Works 34,748 Members
John Holbrook Vance (August 28, 1916 - May 26, 2013) was an American mystery, fantasy and science fiction writer. Most of his work was published under the name Jack Vance. He also wrote 11 mystery novels as John Holbrook Vance and three as Ellery Queen, and once each used pseudonyms Alan Wade, Peter Held, John van See, and Jay Kavanse. Vance won show more the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 1984. The Science Fiction Hall of Fame inducted him in 2001. Among his awards for particular works were: Hugo Awards, in 1963 for The Dragon Masters, in 1967 for The Last Castle, and in 2010 for his memoir This is Me, Jack Vance!; a Nebula Award in 1966, also for The Last Castle; the Jupiter Award in 1975; the World Fantasy Award in 1990 for Lyonesse: Madouc. He also won an Edgar (the mystery equivalent of the Nebula) for the best first mystery novel in 1961 for The Man in the Cage. He died at his home in Oakland, California, on May 26, 2013, aged 96. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Moon Moth [graphic adaptation]
- Disambiguation notice
- This is a graphic novel based on the short story. Please do not combine with the short story itself.
Classifications
- Genres
- Graphic Novels & Comics, Teen
- DDC/MDS
- 741.5 — Arts & recreation Drawing & decorative arts Drawing and drawings Comic books, graphic novels, fotonovelas, cartoons, caricatures, comic strips
- LCC
- PN6727 .V359 .M66 — Language and Literature Literature (General) Literature (General) Collections of general literature Comic books, strips, etc.
- BISAC
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- Reviews
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- Rating
- (3.77)
- Languages
- English
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- Paper
- ISBNs
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