Carnet De Voyage (Travel Journal)

Craig Thompson's epic 600 page graphic novel, BLANKETS is one of the most beautiful comics I've ever read. I was astounded at the breadth and depth of the book and wondered how someone in his mid twenties could have crafted such a massive achievement so early in his career.With the publication of CARNET DE VOYAGE, I now understand a little bit more about Thompson's work habits... he is a nonstop drawing machine. But no... machine is wrong... there's nothing mechanical about his work. Art flows out of Thompson's brush pens with the organic fluidity of a true master. He may well be the greatest natural cartoonist of his generation... hell, even a handful of others.CARNET DE VOYAGE wasn't even supposed to be a book. While traveling through France, Barcelona, the Alps and Morocco last Spring to promote BLANKETS, Thompson's omnipresent sketchbook suddenly became his next project. In his introduction, the typically self-effacing artist dismisses it as "a rather self-indulgent side project."Yes, there's lots of self-indulgence, but no more than any other writer or artist's work is self indulgent. Smarting from a recent breakup, suffering from crippling rheumatoid arthritis exacerbated by nonstop signings, sketches and portraits of locals (many of whom demand money for the privilege of being models), Thompson's travelogue is filled with the kind of subjective experience that's only interesting to others if it's told well.And in CARNET DE VOYAGE, it's told beautifully. Mixing his two styles, the cartoony whimsy of GOODBYE, CHUNKY RICE with the more naturalistic impressionism of BLANKETS, Thompson allows us to experience everything he does: The homesickness, the culture shock, the thrill of the new and the comfort of other people. His passion for beauty, be it architectural, arboreal, feline, culinary or (often) feminine is all delineated with an artistic embellishment that's more effective than any photograph could be.That's the power of comics; They can be (in the right hands) surreal and realistic at the same time. Thompson is as much a master of capturing the empirical world as he is conveying his inner demons (and he's got a lot of `em... this boy is one tortured, sensitive artiste). He may dismiss CARNET DE VOYAGE as "not (his) next book," but it's the richest, most rewarding graphic novel I've read since... well, since BLANKETS.

First I should start by mentioning that I am a fan of Thompson's works, so my review may be a tiny bit biased.Carnet de Voyage is essentially an illustrated travel diary of Thompson's time in France and parts of the Middle East. The style is unconventional (compared to what you see in most mainstream comics) and is refreshing. It is entirely in black and white, but is well illustrated. The writing is entirely in Thompson's hand (as opposed to pre-set type), but still very easy to read.It is, in essence, not just his travel diary, but a glimpse into a part of his life in which he did some soul searching and it comes across (in my opinion), very well in this account. The only reason I gave it 4 out of 5 stars and not 5 is that I happen to like some of his other works better and this book is a slight departure from his traditional storytelling (it's about himself using an illustrated persona).However, as mentioned, the art is up to par and is well worth turning every page. A very enjoyable read for people who might enjoy a departure from typical western comics.

and it doesn't pretend to be, but I found it very worthwhile. I like CHUNKY RICE and I think BLANKETS is one of the great American novels, graphic or otherwise. I felt I needed a Thompson fix, and hoped this would help while I wait for the Next Book. Thinking it would be bedside reading, a few pages at a time, I read it in one sitting. His voice is as true as ever and his art is wonderful. You will meet many interesting people and suffer through his mishaps with him. It was just what I had hoped it would be, a good solid Craig Thompson fix.

Carnet de Voyage is a melancholy, interesting travel diary (as the name implies), and as such doesn't have as much of a narrative drive as Thompson's other works. If you're expecting Blankets you'll be disappointed, but you shouldn't pass up on Carnet. It is a touching look into the author's psyche and experiences, and as someone who lived/grew up in many of the places he visits, I greatly enjoyed seeing my world through the author's eyes. It's a bit disconnected at times, but then so is life.

This little book shows what a masterful artist can do with his immediate surroundings. Drawing comes so naturally to Craig Thompson that he can easily and effectively capture anything he happens to be looking at -- landscape, buildings, and people. More than his other books, I paused to study his lines in these drawings. I look at my own scenery differently now, as if strokes of my pen could capture my world too. This small episodic journal is a revelation of his inner sight and innate talent. It's interesting knowing that he was thinking about Habibi as he traveled through the Arabic-speaking countries.

Craig's Carnet de Voyage way a treat. It took me to places I had never been ( and some I had(, while he worked out his angst about being dumped, life in general etc. I do think he could have left out some of the repetitive bits, even though they would have been true for him. Surely also he saw more of the manners and customs and countryside than he presents. Worth having anyway.

Got this book way after I read Blankets and Habibi. Great addition to my collection from the same author. Very satisfied.

This was a gift,so I don't know if it was any good, but the transaction was fine

I am a huge fan of Craig Thompson's work. Not only is he an artist of supreme talent but his writing and scene setting have a huge power to move. This book has Craig's usual high standard of drawing but also has plenty of soul searching about Craig's loneliness in travelling alone while promoting his books and doing research. As a fellow lone traveller I can relate to the isolation one can feel watching people going about their daily lives while you feel as though you are drifting through. Craig captures this but he also manages to capture the happiness and joys of travel too and the pictures give a real atmosphere of place, especially those covering Craig's time in Morocco. I

Was tut der getriebene Künstler zwischen zwei Werken, wenn er einerseits sein neuestes Buch recherchieren, und andererseits seinen vorherigen Erfolg promoten soll?Richtig, er zeichnet, zeichnet, zeichnet bis zur Sehnenscheidenetzündung und weiter ... und hält all das in einem Buch fest. Thompsons kleines Reisetagebuch ist genau das: ein Zwischenwerk zwischen der erschöpfenden Europa-Promotour für Blankets und seinen Rechechen für sein kommendes Werk Habibi.Was man nicht erwarten sollte: eine kohärente Geschichte, die ausgefeilten Arrangements oder den emotionalen Tiefgang der Vorgänger ... dazu ist Carnet zu sehr Sikzze, zu spontan und zu bruchstückhaft.Was man aber erwarten kann: Thompsons gewohnt schräg-melancholische Perspektive, die die Reise letzten Endes eher wie eine Tour de Force wirken lässt, viele spontane Skizzen von fremden Menschen, Plätzen und Ländern, kleine Reiseanekdoten und interessante Einsichten über Reise und Reisenden, sowie einen ausgiebigen Blick auf die Schattenseiten des Erfolges ...FAZIT: wer Thompson, seine tapsige Melancholie, seinen Stil und seine Sicht der Dinge mag, wird Carnet verschlingen und mit einem Heißhunger auf das hoffentlich bald fertiggestellte Habibi zurückgelassen. Wer weder Good-Bye Chunky Rice noch Blankets gelesen hat, sollte dies eher nachholen, bevor zu Carnet de Voyage gegriffen wird ... denn wie der Titel bereits ankündigt: dies ist keine Graphic Novel(la), sondern ein Graphic Notizbuch

I'm an artist, and this book makes me want to draw everything around me. I adore Craig Thompson, and can't wait for Habibi!

My favorite book by Craig Thompson so far

Nice piece