The Nameless Bird
A famous ornithologist is firmly attached to the certainties of life; everything is reassuringly classifiable. His library gives him a firm footing and also a place in the world. Until he sees a bird he doesn’t yet know, and everything is suddenly up in the air. The solid ground under his feet falls away – or is this his chance to look at life with fresh eyes?
A poetic and exceptionally beautiful story about knowledge, wonder and the unknownBlunder
Ben Gijsemans never stops experimenting and evolving. As regards form, ‘The Nameless Bird’ is more a picture book than a classic graphic novel. This arises from the slowness that the story demands, with the main character’s reflections given next to the illustrations. In those illustrations, nature consists of colourful organic forms, a kind of cheerful chaos that contrasts with the neatly outlined black-and-white ornithologist and his world. Based on an animated film by the author, ‘The Nameless Bird’ is a moving story about an adult who rediscovers his childlike sense of wonder.
High international level. OverwhelmingEnola on ‘Aaron’
International class *****Cutting Edge on ‘The Churchgoers’
