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Today I thought I’d take a closer look at the differences between fables and parables and come up with some recommendations for readers of all ages who enjoy a little learning with their leisure. A fable is: a short story that conveys a moral to the reader, typically with animals as characters. A parable is: a short story designed […]

This is one of those great novels that blends up truth and imagination so well that the lines between fact and fiction are so blurred you don’t even know where to begin trying to unravel it. It also doubles the intrigue especially the way Jesse Ball structures the story to unfurl piece by piece, layer by layer in such a way you are taken by surprise after surprise.

The story concerns the “Narito Disappearances”. A crime that baffled local authorities in Osaka where eight people had gone missing seemingly without a trace until one day a signed confession is handed in to police. The man who has made the confession is quickly arrested and doesn’t say another word. But this is not a whodunit because as the story goes on we see there is a much bigger and more important question that who.

“I am looking for this mystery. Not the mystery of what happened but the mystery of how”

One one level this is an ingenious crime novel. By telling the story in a different order the facts and “truth” aren’t revealed to us until we get to the beginning of the story. Rather than telling the story in chronological order we follow the path Jesse Ball’s investigation follows like a trail of breadcrumbs. Ball recounts his investigation through interview transcripts and internal notes as well as letters and other documents he is given along the way.  Each interview shines a little more light onto the story and leads Jesse to another piece of the puzzle.

I was so engrossed in this book it wasn’t until finishing it that I truly digested what I had read. In many ways this is a modern parable about the moral fallacies we place on our systems of justice but the skill and subtlety in which Jesse Ball tells the story gives it not just power but also emotional resonance. And by doing so Jesse Ball gets to the absolute core of what a crime story is and what it should mean when we read one.

Buy the book here…

Title: Fly, Eagle, Fly! An African Tale Retold by by Christopher Gregorowski Pictures by Niki Daly Foreword by Desmond Tutu Published by Margaret McLederry Books, 2000 Ages: 5-8 Themes: parables, eagles, freedom Quote, page 10:  He climbed up a gully in case the calf had … Continue reading →

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Something for Illustration Friday and the word prompt “kernel”.

Each drawing is a learning experience, in this case, how to personify a wheat kernel…a PENSIVE wheat kernel, at that. And then how I might, in general, go about illustrating this little mention of wheat in one of Jesus’ parables. Should I put legs on the kernel..? Should I show a whole wheat field verses one stalk..? The simpler the better, I think.

Since I was looking at  images of wheat kernels via Google, I also saw a number of photos of foods using whole wheat or the grain of a particular wheat.  I love bread–and all kinds of baked goods. And seeing photos of  these and these Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies made my moment. Yum.

Got to work this morning only to find my friend had laid a copy of The Parable Anthology on my desk to sign. I had not seen the final product yet. I am a stickler for quality and let me tell you, this is freakin' awesome. Printed beautiful, vibrant colors, crisp line work, awesome art. You need to buy a copy.

I posted a snap shot of the first 2 pages of Ben Avery and I's story, "The Little Debtor". The book is still $10 off til the end of January, so buy yourself and all your friends, coworkers, veterinarians, dentists, teachers, pastors, zoo-keepers, rocket scientists, loved ones, and comic geeks copies.

ORDER HERE.

PARABLE is a collection of modern parables from some of the world's best independent animators, web artists and comic creators. From personal introspectives to fantastic fictions, each short tale provides its own unique glimpse of the elusive (and eternal) truths of life. The result is a rich volume full of faith, love, grace and beautiful sequential art.

Featuring a foreword by Doug TenNapel and stories by: Ben Avery, Bryan Ballinger, Tim Baron, Tor Harald Blom, Monika Brozda, Paul Conrad, Rob Corley, Michelle Gorski, Ben Hatke, C Hill, Mike Laughead, Mike Maihack, James Mar, Stephen McCranie, Sarah Mensinga, Caleb Monroe, Caroline Parkinson, Dean Rankine, Jeremy Vanhoozer, and Rob Woodrum.

All orders placed before Jan 31st are 30% off and include a free digital download. Orders taken by Dec 9th will get their books in time for Christmas. Parable will also be available on Amazon and a few other places later this month, but the Lamp Post store is the only place to order the discounted bundled package. The ebook is also available separately.