Minor Miracles by Will Eisner - Revision history

Sue at 10:29, 6 September 2020

2020-09-06T10:29:15Z

Sue at 13:31, 20 March 2018

2018-03-20T13:31:16Z

Sue at 12:21, 30 December 2014

2014-12-30T12:21:39Z

Keith: 1 revision

2009-10-24T17:43:04Z

1 revision

Sue at 11:55, 4 September 2009

2009-09-04T11:55:24Z

New review

{{infobox
|title= Minor Miracles
|author= Will Eisner
|reviewer= John Lloyd
|genre=Graphic Novels
|summary= Jewish folklore is born from urban gossip and the unusual amongst the everyday, in this short story collection. Definitely one to relish.
|rating=4.5
|buy= Yes
|borrow= Yes
|format= Paperback
|pages=128
|publisher= W W Norton and Co
|date= September 2009
|isbn=978-0393328141
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0393328147</amazonuk>
|amazonus=<amazonus>0393328147</amazonus>
}}

This short story collection starts with two appetisers before getting on with two main courses, but as with the best meals even the smallest dishes can have the most depth. We start with the entire life cycle - rise, fall, rise, fall - of a hobo feeding pigeons in the park. Obviously he hasn't been doing that all his years - he's been keeping his dignity intact, with a huge amount of chutzpah and more. Next, a smart Alec defeats the older kids on the stoop with a bit of canny street wisdom.

The mains are certainly worth the cover charge, as well. The neighbourhood is affected by a strange, wordless young man, with unusual - and happily good - things seemingly following him around. Then a deaf young lady, struck mute, marries a disabled man, with the help of nagging mothers, and a blessing from a free diamond wedding ring.

The charming depth to the stories here shows in greater and minor detail what could extend gossip into urban myth and folklore. People become heroic, famous, otherwise noted - whether temporarily or permanently. Will Eisner has done this before - made a graphic collection of tales from the city, but here the theme works with his eye for variety to provide for a very pleasant volume.

This is not hindered at all of course by an artist who had found his metier long before this release. We can tell he could just as easily draw rustic rurality, alien landscapes, or superheroes, but are more than thankful he doesn't. (Especially as The Spirit, his early comic strip with a supernatural detective, is very naff from a 2009 viewpoint.) Instead we get a lovely clarity of expression, with just a few lines and seemingly painted shading and tones, that makes for some of his wittiest, prettiest, and best artwork.

This certainly deserves pride of place, alongside his own New York : The Big City, and [[The Dreamer by Will Eisner|The Dreamer]] as a classic from this artist. For further reading, it looks and feels very different to Eisner, but I cannot think of much better than [[Demo: v. 1 by Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan|Brian Wood's Demo]].

I must thank W W Norton's kind people for my review copy.

{{amazontext|amazon=0393328147}} {{waterstonestext|waterstones=6781470}}

{{commenthead}}
[[Category:Short Stories]]

@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 This is not hindered at all of course by an artist who had found his metier long before this release.  We can tell he could just as easily draw rustic rurality, alien landscapes, or superheroes, but are more than thankful he doesn't.  (Especially as The Spirit, his early comic strip with a supernatural detective, is very naff from a 2009 viewpoint.)  Instead we get a lovely clarity of expression, with just a few lines and seemingly painted shading and tones, that makes for some of his wittiest, prettiest, and best artwork.
-This certainly deserves pride of place, alongside his own New York : The Big City, and [[The Dreamer by Will Eisner|The Dreamer]] as a classic from this artist.  For further reading, it looks and feels very different to Eisner, but I cannot think of much better than [[Demo: v. 1 by Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan|Brian Wood's Demo]].
+This certainly deserves pride of place, alongside his own New York : The Big City, and [[The Dreamer by Will Eisner|The Dreamer]] as a classic from this artist.  For further reading, it looks and feels very different to Eisner, but I cannot think of much better than [[Demo: v. 1 by Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan|Brian Wood's Demo]].  We can also recommend [[Life on Another Planet by Will Eisner]].
 I must thank W W Norton's kind people for my review copy.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{infobox
+{{infobox1
 |title= Minor Miracles
 |author= Will Eisner
@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 |date= September 2009
 |isbn=978-0393328141
-|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0393328147</amazonuk>
+|cover=0393328147
-|amazonus=<amazonus>0393328147</amazonus>
+|aznuk=0393328147
 }}

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 |buy= Yes
 |borrow= Yes
 |pages=128
 |publisher= W W Norton and Co
@@ Line 29: / Line 28: @@
 I must thank W W Norton's kind people for my review copy.
-{{amazontext|amazon=0393328147}} {{waterstonestext|waterstones=6781470}}
+{{amazontext|amazon=0393328147}}
 {{commenthead}}
 [[Category:Short Stories]]

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