Yvain: The Knight of the Lion

Yvain is an idiot. He's an idiot in the original, he's an idiot in this very close retelling. I appreciate, however, the careful twists of irony that Anderson and Offermann draw out in this rendition. The illustrations are splendid beyond measure, the thoughtfulness of the text is wonderful, the ambiguity of the characters tells whole volumes of story offstage, and Yvain is an idiot.

I'd say that I feel bad for Lunette, as well, but honestly, she's got a mean streak, and seems to be doing quite well thankyouverymuch. ( )

While it initially reads like a standard Arthurian tale (knights in shining armor, deeds of bravery), it reveals itself as a subversive and tragic tale. Yvain marries the widowed Lady Laudine, in dire need of a champion after he kills her husband, and asks her permission to travel with his friend proving themselves in tournaments. She gives her permission, with the caveat that he must return after a year. Of course, he forgets, and is subsequently denounced in front of King Arthur by a messenger from Lady Laudine.

Driven mad, Yvain wanders in the wilderness until he comes upon a lion locked in battle with some kind of wyvern. He slays it and earns the lion's loyalty. He travels around, slaying monsters and dueling, believing he will win his lady's heart back. As he appears before her, Lady Laudine is tricked into marrying him again, and lashes out that she must keep her word and enter into a loveless marriage.

Truly, one of the best graphic novels I've read in a long time.

The art is gorgeous and wonderfully intuitive in the reading, and while M.T. Anderson's translation of the story of Yvain is pretty standard, it's clear that he loves the story and the characters. ( )

A sad poetic story, in word and image. ( )

I enjoyed the story, and the storytelling of this book. I didn't find the artwork compelling, and sometimes found it hard to understand what was being conveyed. The concept behind the book (graphic novel telling of an ancient story) is fantastic, and I hope to see more!

An odd tale of an asshole in love and the woman he inflicts that love on. The adaptation is fine, but the source material is just way too messed up for me to deal with. ( )