Pygmalion et la vierge d'ivoire by Serge Le TendreMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
You THINK you know the story of the sculptor whose statue comes alive. I thought I did. But we only know the barest bones of the story, if you grew up knowing only Edith Hamilton.
"Pygmalion and the Ivory Virgin" has a different impact, when seen visually. There is foreshadowing, there are layers that are NOT in the text, but are shown in the beautifully drawn panels. The impact of a sea monster that suddenly emerges is actually FELT like a blow upon turning a page, and so too are the animal activities that hint at echoes done by human counterparts later on. We also get to appreciate how Pygmalion's earlier sculptures are actually mediocrities, which makes one reflect on his frustration on sculpting women. Perhaps he was simply channeling his self-hatred to others, blaming innocent models and women in general for his own failings?
While Pygmalion is the title character, he comes across as a j*rk both in Hamilton's book and this one. It is Agape (*applauds name choice of author*), she who loves Pygmalion and is initially spurned, who shines. Although as a woman, I was just shaking my head at her, shouting: "Girl, HE'S NOT WORTH IT!!!"
To expect perfection by putting others on a pedestal... as a teacher, I was reminded of the Pygmalion effect in the classroom: when students have teachers who show high expectations of them, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Le Tendre's book shows us the build up and the consequences of the age old question: what happens after you find the perfect woman?
The font of the text took some getting used to, but after the first couple of pages I was so interested in the story that it no longer bothered me.
The ending felt a bit contrived for this reader, and also, a quick re-read of Hamilton's retelling shows inconsistencies. But of course, in the name of artistic license, all is forgiven.
Well worth the read! Le Tendre made an old tale new again.
FOR MATURE READERS ONLY.
(Grateful to Netgalley for a free download of this graphic novella!)
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