The Doppleganger Chronicles: #1 The First Escape
By GP Taylor, adapted by Tony Lee and illustrated by Daniel Boultwood and Joseph Sapulich.
New in the UK from the lauded writer of Shadowmancer comes the first instalment of the Doppleganger chronicles, an adventure story combining danger, excitement and the supernatural.
Taylor, a former rock and roller turned Church of England Vicar, conjures up a strange but familiar world of grotesques and eccentrics in a written style which is complemented by a remarkable feat of illustration.
The entirety of the book is laid out in a combination of text, black and white photography and artwork, and full colour comic pages. Essentially the team have created a combination of graphic novel and illustrated story book.
The combination of short bursts of text, artwork and comic panels is one which will provide a great reading experience for all kinds of young readers.
My one complaint has to do with the adaptation process, which has I think taken a little too much detail out of the text, meaning that at times there is a slight lack of cohesion – for instance one of the main settings is Spaniard’s House, and yet this is never introduced in the text except for in a chapter heading. Some of the characters too suffer from a lack of introduction which appears to stem from the transition between plain text and comic panels.
Perhaps the text might be said to be a little too sparse at times.
But that is a minor irritation, and not one that is likely to concern younger readers who are bound to be caught up in the exciting story line and to enjoy the variety of illustration which varies from TV cartoon to classic Roald Dahl paperback style.
Taylor has been hailed as the ‘New C. S. Lewis’ but I am not sure that this is entirely appropriate, the text is more Scooby Doo than Narnia with the likes of ‘The house would have been mine if it weren’t for these kids!’
But that is no criticism, it’s still a great book, and its positive messages and subtle introduction to supernatural themes including under the radar Bible verses are to its credit.
The fact that it is on sale in supermarkets across the country is testament to its mass market appeal, and its certainly a good fun read which is likely to provoke discussion and exploration of its themes by young readers.
The book should appeal across the board to young people of all traditions and faiths, including those of none.
Published in the UK by Authentic Media.
Review by Simon Cross
{ 0 comments }
