Shuna's Journey - Book Review

Shuna's Journey - Book Review

Post
Subscribe

Posted 2024-09-21 by Marisa Quinn-Haisufollow

Miyazaki, H. Shuna's Journey . (2022). Dudok de Wit, A. (Translator). First Second Books. Image Link.

Shuna’s Journey is a New York Times bestselling graphic novel that was written and illustrated by Hayao Miyazaki and translated by Alex Dudok de Wit. It is 160 pages long and was published in English by First Second Books on 11 January 2022. The book tells the story of Shuna, a young prince from a kingdom nestled in a valley, who leaves his home behind to search for mythical golden grain to help his people who are suffering through famine.

Hayao Miyazaki is a Japanese animator, filmmaker, manga artist and co-founder of Studio Ghibli. During his impressive career, Miyazaki has written and directed twelve animated features. His filmography includes The Castle of Cagliostro (1979) , Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984), Laputa: Castle in the Sky (1986), My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Kiki's Delivery Service (1989), Porco Rosso (1992), Princess Mononoke (1997), Spirited Away (2001), Howl's Moving Castle (2004), Ponyo (2008), The Wind Rises (2013) and The Boy and the Heron (2023). Miyazaki has received a lot of award recognition for his work as a filmmaker. In 2002 Spirited Away won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival and Best Animated Feature at the 75th Academy Awards. Howl’s Moving Castle received the Golden Osella award at the Venice International Film Festival in 2004 and The Boy and the Heron won Best Animated Feature at the 96th Academy Awards in 2024.

Shuna’s Journey is one of the most beautifully illustrated books I have ever read. The illustrations were so richly detailed I felt like I was watching a Studio Ghibli movie or flipping through an art book. The world is vast and sprawling, filled with ancient gods, giant walled cities, and fields of golden corn that sway in waves. There are so many Studio Ghibli inspirations sprinkled throughout this book. There are echoes of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Tales of Earthsea, and Princess Mononoke. Miyazaki was inspired to write Shuna’s Journey after reading an old Tibetan folktale called “The Prince who Turned into a Dog.”

I really liked the character of Shuna and I was captivated by the world he inhabited but I felt disappointed by the plot. Shuna's Journey reads a lot like a folktale. It starts off strong but falters in the middle and then ends abruptly with no real conclusion. I still think the book is good though. It might even be a Masterpiece. It just needed a more satisfying ending that tied everything together.

Summary: Shuna's Journey is a graphic novel written and illustrated by Hayao Miyazaki about a young prince who leaves his home on a quest to bring back some golden grain to help feed his people.
Cost $49.99
Website: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250846525/shunasjourney
More Book Reviews by Marisa
The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish - Book Review
This is a Ball - Book Review
Taproot - Book Review
Fangs - Book Review
Seriously, Do Not Open This Book! - Book Review
Happily Ever After & Everything In Between - Book Review
Thelma the Unicorn - Book Review
Saving Sunshine - Book Review

#book_reviews
#random
#books_writing
#graphic_novels
#adventure
#fantasy

%wneverywhere
293911 - 2024-09-15 10:02:17

Tags

Music
Arts_culture
Film_tv_reviews
Free
Random
Family_friendly
Outdoor
Nightlife
Community
Food_drink
Festivals
Fundraisers
Educational
Classical_music
Holiday
Copyright 2024 OatLabs ABN 18113479226