The Sensualist by Barbara Hodgson

As an illustrated novel, The Sensualist contains a lot of eye-candy that specifically relates to the 16th century anatomist, Andreas Vesalius. I figure I should mention that right from the start, because it's eye-catching, and the first thing that I did before delving into the story was look at all of the beautiful pictures.

The story, itself, begins in Austria and makes it's way into both Hungary and Germany. The reader follows Helen, an art historian, who is searching for her missing husband and becomes entangled in a mystery involving murder, anatomical art forgeries, and missing Vesalius woodblocks.

It would be impossible to give a really accurate description of how this book reads. It's surreal, and I often felt like I was reading the screenplay of a Jeunet and Caro flick. The characters are beyond eccentric. The settings are visual, and Hodgson's descriptions of the five senses are numerous and interesting. It was well worth my time, and I'll be looking into her other work in the future.

9 comments:

bucket said...

This sounds like a really good book, I love graphic novels because I never grew up and still enjoy picture books.

Was it expensive?

moif said...

I wish Jeunot and Caro were still making films together!

Cyan said...

Bucket,

I bought a used copy from Amazon.com for about $3.00, and it's in really good condition, but the new price is around $12.00.

I don't know what your comfort level is in regards to giving out your address, but if you want it, I'd be willing to send my copy to you. Just let me know via private message on America's Debate.

Cyan said...

Moif,

I would be in seventh heaven if Jeunet and Caro were still working together. They had the most amazing chemisty.

Jeunet has done some wonderful things on his own, but it's not the kind of celluloid alchemy that happened when they were together. (Maybe with the acception of Amelie. That was pure Jeunet and it was gold.)

Cyan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cyan said...

Uh...that should read chemistry
and exception...

You would think that I would know English by now.

bucket said...

If you still have the book I would love to read it! Thank you. I will send you my addy by PM once AD is back up, it is down right now for me

Cyan said...

I still have the book, and I'll be happy to send it to you. :)

I'm having surgery tomorrow, so I'll be down for a few days, but if you PM your address to me, I'll get it out for you next week.

bucket said...

Thanks again, hope all is well let us know how you are doing :)