The Savage
Mysterious and utterly mesmerizing, this graphic-novel-within-a-novel pairs the extraordinary prose of David Almond with the visual genius of Dave McKean.
Blue Baker is writing a story — not all that stuff about wizards and fairies and happily ever after — a real story, about blood and guts and adventures, because that's what life's really like. At least it is for Blue, since his dad died and Hopper, the town bully, started knocking him and the other kids around. But Blue's story has a life of its own — weird and wild and magic and dark — and when the savage pays a nighttime visit to Hopper, Blue starts to wonder where he ends and his creation begins.
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Community Reviews
After the sudden death of his father, Blue copes with his grief by writing a story about a savage boy who lives in the woods. The savage wields an axe, kills and eats small prey, and anyone who threatens him.
Told from the viewpoint of a much older Blue, he narrates selections from the writings of his younger self. He notes that once he started writing what he wanted - “blood and guts and adventures” - he just couldn’t stop. As Blue begins to share his story with his mother and younger sister, something strange happens. The savage in Blue’s story becomes real.
This seemingly simple story has great depth and substance - somewhat autobiographical even. Dave McKean’s blue-green ink illustrations with the scratchy handwriting text add yet another layer to this story.
I’m always challenged with finding books that appeal to boys, especially boys who don’t read. This one will be added to my list of recommendations.
Told from the viewpoint of a much older Blue, he narrates selections from the writings of his younger self. He notes that once he started writing what he wanted - “blood and guts and adventures” - he just couldn’t stop. As Blue begins to share his story with his mother and younger sister, something strange happens. The savage in Blue’s story becomes real.
This seemingly simple story has great depth and substance - somewhat autobiographical even. Dave McKean’s blue-green ink illustrations with the scratchy handwriting text add yet another layer to this story.
I’m always challenged with finding books that appeal to boys, especially boys who don’t read. This one will be added to my list of recommendations.
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