A Trio of Shaun Tan
If there’s one thing that I wish of Shaun Tan’s books, it’s that they were longer. He’s one of the most amazing modern artists that I’ve come across and his story telling is also beautiful. What makes his books for me are his paintings. There is something so unique and brilliant about him that he need not have any words to accompany them. A prime example of this is his book, The Arrival, which I reviewed a couple of years ago. A book with no words. I checked out three books illustrated by him from the library, two of which he also wrote, one of which he illustrated.
The Rabbits by John Marsden and Shaun Tan
32 pgs.
2003
5/5
The one that he just illustrated is The Rabbits by John Marsden and illustrated by Tan. The rabbits is a powerful books in it’s short length and covers a much darker subject matter than I had expected. I had expected happy, maybe bizzare, little rabbits frolicking around, but these are not the rabbits that we meet. The rabbits that we meet are conquerors and pillagers. The book opens with the line “The Rabbits came many grandparents ago”. It tells the story of land inhabited by strange creatures that are never named. Their land is fertile and beautiful, but one day “the rabbits” arrive with a different plan in mind. They want the land as their own. They cause war, famine, and kidnap the local children and destroy the world that one belonged to the others. It’s a tragic story in it’s few pages and is beautifully illustrated by the master, Shaun Tan. This one was quite relevant to all of the unnecessary wars going on today.
The Lost Thing by Shaun Tan
32 pgs.
2004
4/5
The Lost Thing, written and illustrated by Shaun Tan is a much lighter type of story. I suppose it’s a story about belonging, about finding a place where you belong, but like Tan says at the end, I’m not entirely sure there is a moral to be had here. It’s the story of a boy who is walking around one day looking for bottle caps for his collection when he comes upon a thing. It’s a giant red thing that looks somewhat like a tea kettle, but with lots of doors and bells. Him and the thing quickly become friends and enjoy each other’s company. But he realizes when he takes it home, that it doesn’t belong there. He has to find a home for it. The first option saddens him as it seems a place where the thing will be forgotten, a place where it also doesn’t belong. So he continues his search until he finds a place where it seems to fit the best. Once again, Tan’s drawings are top notch in this little story, though not quite as bold as they were in The Rabbits. One of the things I love about Tan’s artwork is the industrialization of everything. This one felt much more like The Arrival than The Rabbits did. I guess that’s because the story was actually written by Tan himself. The worlds that he creates through his paintings are so detailed oriented and they are worlds that are totally alien to us with all sorts of creatures and gadgets laden around. You could look at a Tan painting for hours and continually find new things in them. His books are certainly worth the price tag on them for that alone. They never lose their readability.
The Red Tree by Shaun Tan
32 pgs.
2003
5/5
This one is by far my favorite of the three Tan books that I read and if I could give it 10/5 stars, I would. Seriously, I think this is a little treasure that should be on every one’s book shelf. The story opens with a young girl awakening in her bed and being drowned by leaves. As the day progresses, things just get worse and worse as beautiful things pass her by. She feels like there is nowhere she belongs…there is a dark cloud following her. But a special little surprise awaits her in her room at the end of the day. Something beautiful that was spawned from the darkness of her day. This was such an amazing book. It captures perfectly those days when we all feel that we don’t belong, that nothing is going our way, that no one cares. We’ve all been there. This book sends a quiet message to look out for what’s good in the world during those dark times. To look for what good can become from the bad. This book also had my favorite illustrations of the three. They were simply captivating in how they showed the despair of the girl and the hope that waited for her. Please add this one to your library if you can find it!
“…if I could give it 10/5 stars, I would.”…You can!
And you completely sold me on all three of these books! In fact, I just got an e-mail from an old friend who’s going through a really rough patch. I think I may have to send her a copy of The Red Tree when I order one for myself. Thanks, Chris…I can’t wait to get my hands on all of these!
Have you read Tan’s Tales from Outer Suburbia? It is also fantastic. I got it as an ARC but I believe that it’s out now (at least it is here in Canada — not sure if it is in the US). Definitely worth reading if you can get it!
Wow…based on that last image alone, I MUST get The Red Tree! Of course, that you would give it 10/5 helps too
These all sound seriously amazing. I must put an end to the Shaun Tanless-ness in my life!
I loved The Red Tree! I haven’t read any more from him simply because of my whole page count versions price philosophy, but he is an amazing artist! I should get them from the library, really!
Those illustrations are absolutely stunning. I’ll certainly keep my eyes open for these books.
Well, I’m just gonna have to get my hands on one of these. The art looks amazing!
I must admit I’ve looked at The Arrival quite a few times in my local bookshop, but never quite bought it, but the artwork does look amazing! And now you tell me he’s got a book out with John Marsden? (who you may be aware is one of my favourite authors from last year…)
I can feel bad bloggers points coming on!
I’m at 2 on the queue for his story collection Tales From Outer Suburbia, but I didn’t even think about looking for more picture books. Thanks for such a great idea!
I poured over the Arrival for days…..loving every single page and taking my time looking at his beautiful drawings. I will definitely be looking up the other ones you listed that he wrote and illustrated…sounds and looks wonderful!!!
I love The Red Tree and The Arrival but hadn’t seen the others.
Thanks!
Debi, Well shoot, I should have! lol…I think the Red Tree would be perfect for your friend! Unfortunately, it seems to be kind of hard to find now. Let me know if you find a copy and where…I might just order one as a keeper for myself!
Christine, No, I haven’t read it yet, but it’s on my wishlist already! I really really want to check that one out…it sounds awesome!
Nymeth, yes! You must put an end to it. The Red Tree was by far my favorite of the three, but The Rabbits was pretty damn amazing too. You’ll enjoy these!
Kailana, Wasn’t it an incredible book? I really need to find a copy of that one. It just blew me away.
Jeane, Aren’t they? Unfortunately, they’re hard to find…I’ve been searching for them forever in book stores. Don’t know why I don’t just order them. His newer book, The Arrival, is pretty popular though! I’ve seen that one in stores and it’s fantastic!
Chartroose, The art really is amazing! Fell in love with it…they’re kind of like art books that just happen to have words :p
Bart, Bring on the bad blogger points! lol. The Arrival is really fantastic and is certainly worth owning. I think I’m going to break down and get a copy of The Red Tree too…It’s one I’ll want to read again and again.
Eva, Whoohoo! Can’t wait to see what you think of it. It’s sitting on my wishlist right now. Looking forward to that one!
Staci, The Arrival is just incredible! I did the same thing as you…just looked over it again and again. His work is wonderful.
Gavin, I think you’d really enjoy it if you’ve read the other two! Great books!
These sound wonderful! You sold me on all of them. Thanks!
Wow, that last image – it really looked like this dream I had once. Except that in my dream, I saw the scene from a bookstore window. I love Shaun Tan, but I’ve only read Tales from the Outer Suburbia.
You are a bad blogger! Thanks to you, I just ordered The Red Tree.
I love his books and illustrations, too. They always make me wonder what is going on inside his head! He must be a fascinating person, to have such vision and imagination.
The Arrival was my favourite book of 2007 – which is kind of strange given that there are no words, but what can I say. I was completely blown away by his work! I do mean to pick up more eventually to read as well.
I’m so glad you enjoyed these, particularly The Red Tree. It completely floored me the first time I read it. I couldn’t believe how powerful it was. I made several of the therapists who worked for me at the time come in and read it and they loved it as well. It packs such a strong emotional punch in so few pages and the artwork is wonderful.
After your description of The Red Tree, that final picture made me laugh and cry all at once. It made me all sad and my first thought was, Man, I’ve had days like that, and then I cracked up because, really, when have I ever had a day where I felt like there was a giant fish lurking in the street around the next block, waiting to ruin my day?? LOL!