The Encyclopedia of Early Earth

The Encyclopedia of Early Earth is a graphic novel by Isabel Greenberg.

Background

Greenberg wrote a short story called "Love in a Very Cold Climate" that won the 2011 Graphic Short Story Prize. The Encyclopedia of Early Earth is an expansion of the story introduced in the short story.[1] The story draws heavily from the Hebrew Bible, Greek mythology, Norse mythology, and Arabian Nights.[2] The art style resembles Epileptic by David Beauchard as well as German Expressionist woodcuts.[3] The artwork also resembles the Bayeux Tapestry and Inuit art.[4] The plot of the story follows a Nord man and a woman from the South pole who fall in love.[5] However, a magnetic field prevents the two from coming within a couple feet of each other.[6] The book was published in 2013.[7]

Reception

The Globe and Mail compared the book's art style to Persepolis and the narrative to Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea.[8] George Pendle praised the books illustrations saying that the style compliments the subject, however, he criticized the book for lacking "structural cohesion".[9] Kirkus Reviews called the book "A beautiful, promising work that doesn't quite coalesce."[10] Library Journal praised the book saying it has "striking illustrations" and a "stunning denouement".[11] Common Sense Media gave the book 5 out of 5 stars for ages 10 and up.[12] Cory Doctorow recommended the book saying that it is "unpretentious and straightforward, but also complex, meaty, and ultimately very satisfying."[13] Joe Dell'Erba wrote in the Washington Independent Review of Books that the book is "entertaining, moving, and an utter pleasure to read."[14] Noah Cruickshank gave a mixed review in The A.V. Club, saying that the main story arc is a trope and "never has enough time to breathe" but that the ending is still impactful and the artwork is memorable.[15]

Awards

Award Date Category Result Ref.
Booklist Editors' Choice 2013 Fiction Included [16]
Eisner Awards 2014 Best Graphic Album—New Nominated [17]
Cartoonist Studio Prize 2014 Best Graphic Novel Shortlisted [18]

References

  1. ^ Armitage, Hugh (October 1, 2013). "Isabel Greenberg's Early Earth – review". Digital Spy. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  2. ^ O'Connell, Mark (December 3, 2013). "A Species of Scheherazades". Slate. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  3. ^ Day, Jennifer (February 21, 2014). "Visual Detective: 'The Encyclopedia of Early Earth' by Isabel Greenberg". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  4. ^ Weldon, Glen (December 3, 2013). "Moving Fables Of Gods, Men, Love And Monsters In 'Early Earth'". NPR. Archived from the original on April 4, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  5. ^ Richards, Jess (November 2, 2013). "The Encyclopedia of Early Earth by Isabel Greenberg – review". The Guardian. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  6. ^ Cooke, Rachel (October 14, 2013). "The Encyclopedia of Early Earth by Isabel Greenberg – review". The Guardian. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  7. ^ Dueben, Alex (February 17, 2014). "Mapping Out Isabel Greenberg's "The Encyclopedia of Early Earth"". CBR. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  8. ^ Rogers, Sean (January 3, 2014). "Origin stories: A vividly imagined mythology from Britain's comics scene". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  9. ^ Pendle, George (October 25, 2013). "The Encyclopedia of Early Earth, by Isabel Greenberg". Financial Times. Archived from the original on February 21, 2025. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  10. ^ "The Encyclopedia of Early Earth: A beautiful, promising work that doesn't quite coalesce". Kirkus Reviews. October 4, 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  11. ^ "The Encyclopedia of Early Earth". Library Journal. October 11, 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  12. ^ Beach, Andrea (2013). "The Encyclopedia of Early Earth Book Review | Common Sense Media". commonsensemedia.org. Archived from the original on February 21, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  13. ^ Doctorow, Cory (January 15, 2014). "The Encyclopedia of Early Earth, a graphic novel by Isabel Greenberg". Boing Boing. Archived from the original on February 12, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  14. ^ Dell'Erba, Joe (June 10, 2014). "The Encyclopedia of Early Earth". washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  15. ^ Cruickshank, Noah (November 25, 2013). "Re-creating myths as a meet-cute". AV Club. Archived from the original on December 11, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  16. ^ Kelley, Ann (January 1, 2014). "Booklist Online: Leading Book Discovery". booklistonline.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  17. ^ Cavna, Michael (April 16, 2014). "2014 EISNER AWARDS: From Aydin to Yang, nominees size up this year's list". Washington Post. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  18. ^ "The Best Graphic Novel and Web Comic of the Year". Slate Magazine. March 7, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
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