This is a review. The author is responsible for the opinions in the text.
Picture novel
Caroline Merola
“My and the Beast”
Trans. Maya Joyce
Opal book publisher, ages six and up
The graphic novel is becoming increasingly popular among children’s readers. August winner Fabian Göranson, acclaimed author Maja Lunde and Norwegian fixture Nora Dåsnes are just a few of those who have explored and developed the genre in recent years.
This audience also includes the award-winning Canadian Caroline Merola. She made her debut as a cartoonist in 1986 and has now been translated into Swedish by Maja Joyce. “Mina and the Beast” is a page-turner, carefully carved in pencil and ink. It’s about six-year-old Mina and her older brother Jérôme, who one day find huge footprints in the snow. They are at least twice the size of bear tracks and lead around the house and up to the roof – where someone has also emptied and shoveled the compost.
What could have made such a big impression?
“Maybe a giant bear. Or a koala,” Mina suggests. “Someone must be playing a trick on us. No animal has such big feet,” answers Jérôme skeptically. Mine cannot be convinced.
Shortly thereafter As she goes to sleep, she sees the strange creature with the strikingly large feet. The beast stands in front of her window and peers in. It seems more curious than frightening, more sad than angry. She barely has time to get up before it’s gone again. Finally, Mina follows the beast’s trail into the ancient forest. The one that is now being demolished to make way for a new luxury hotel, for people who want to relax “in the heart of nature”.
With “Mina och odjuret”, 64-year-old Caroline Merola flirts with a classic fairy tale tradition, but places the action in the middle of the present. A slight eco-criticism simmers between the pages. The imagery is reminiscent of Maurice Sendak’s wonderful wild animals and Kitty Crowther’s expressive animation style. The curious child’s search – and the encounter with the unknown – becomes the driving force and core of the story.
What emerges is a strange saga that, despite its epic scale, is firmly rooted in the everyday. Mina and the Beast may not be a new work. The story has been told many times by other authors and in other terms.
Nevertheless, Caroline Merola has created an opinionated picture novel that is well worth reading.
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