Kim (With Original Illustrations)
An Adventure Classic
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- €1.99
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- €1.99
Publisher Description
Rudyard Kipling's 'Kim' is a bildungsroman novel set in British India, following the adventures of an orphaned boy who becomes a spy. The book beautifully captures the essence of the Indian subcontinent, portraying its diverse cultures and landscapes with vivid descriptions. Kipling's literary style is characterized by his use of rich language and detailed imagery, keeping readers engaged throughout the story. 'Kim' is not only a coming-of-age tale but also a reflection of the author's own experiences living in India during the colonial period, offering a unique perspective on the country's history and society. The inclusion of original illustrations adds an extra layer of authenticity to the narrative, enhancing the reader's visual experience of the story.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Kipling's inspirational poem the one that begins, "If you can keep your head when all about you/ Are losing theirs" describes how to preserve one's honor by the principled avoidance of political and moral pitfalls. Italian artist Manna imagines the "you" of the poem as a boy journeying through a series of watercolor landscapes: fields under billowing clouds, misty nights, craggy mountaintops. To accompany the poem's first line, Manna paints the boy watching from a great green meadow as storm clouds approach; he stands and watches with a cool head, rather than running in fear. For "If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew/ To serve your turn long after they are gone," Manna shows the boy climbing a rocky pitch, the peaks of other mountains poking through the clouds below. Flying kites represent temptation, and dull-eyed marionettes represent allies who can't be trusted ("If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken/ Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools"). Though young readers may not fathom the poem's complexities, the grandeur of Manna's scenes conveys the loftiness of Kipling's sentiments. Ages 6 8.
