Sorry I haven’t been participating much on “Alas” — I’m just very busy this week. Primarily because I’m preparing for Thursday’s even at Powell’s on Hawthorne, which I hope any “Alas” readers in Portland will consider attending.
When: Thursday, November 4th, 7:30pm
What: The official premiere of the Hereville graphic novel. Cartoonist Barry Deutsch will narrate a slideshow about Hereville, to be followed by a book signing. Colorist Jake Richmond will also attend.
Where: Powell’s on Hawthorne in Portland, Oregon.
“What do you get when you cross Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Isaac Bashevis Singer?”
—The Washington Post on Hereville
Hereville, a new hardcover, color graphic novel is officially being released by Abrams on November 1st. The official premier event will take place at Powell’s on Hawthorne on November 4th.
Hereville is the story of Mirka, an 11-year-old girl being raised in an extremely traditional Jewish community. But all Mirka wants to do is fight monsters — which isn’t so traditional for a girl in her community. Hereville is about Mirka’s magical adventures (she meets a witch, a troll, and an extremely grumpy pig), and also about Mirka’s family and community. And reviewers are saying that Hereville is one of the best graphic novels of the year.
Hereville was originally a webcomic, and then a self-published floppy comic, with a first run of 100 copies. When the self-published comic was premiered at Stumptown Comics Fest, Hereville received serious interest from two different publishers and an agent. Two years later, the graphic novel of Hereville — much expanded and redrawn from the earlier comic — is finally in stores.
FOUR STARS for Hereville:
“Mirka is the heroine that girlhood dreams are made of… Hereville is pure enchantment.” —School Library Journal (starred review)
“Undoubtedly one of the cleverest graphic novels of the year.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“A terrific story, told with skill and lots of heart, that readers of all ages will enjoy.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“An elegant, subtle examination into the gender roles, deep religious roots, and everyday cultural elements of an Orthodox Jewish society, while also being a witty, enormously clever adventure quest featuring a girl who will happily and firmly inform you that she is, indeed, hero material.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)
For further information about Hereville please visit the Hereville website.
I wish I could be there to tell you in person how much I enjoyed the book and how much you deserve all those great reviews. I got my copy last week right before we had a huge storm that knocked the power out — which was perfect setting for reading the book. And even though I grew up in a kosher house, I still loved that homework-eating pig.
I’ll try to be there!
Oh, you must be so proud! Congrats and good luck!