The Fountain by Darren Aronofsky Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $10.65 You Save: $9.34 (47%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $7.60 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of The Fountain
Book Review: Fountain of Dreams
Summary: 5 Stars
I first read through the story, and simply scratched my head and said "Well, that was a good read." There was no more to it than that- I simply enjoyed the time I had just spent with the story, which spans centuries as though they were minutes, and nothing more. I was done with the story.
But the story wasn't done with me.
The ancient New World. . . the modern day, swathed in blues and oranges and other colors. . . the future, abstract and an amazing sight, with ghosts and dying stars abound; all these images stuck with me, haunting my waking eyes. Kent Williams has painted a dream, and the story sticks with you like a pleasant dream with echoes of pain in it as well. And in many instances, the images are works of art- the splash pages near the end, or the cover art are what proves it for me.
As far as the story goes, Aronofsky has written a beautiful and revelatory story about life and love and death itself. Many of these facets are not immediately apparent on the first reading, but with subsequent readings it becomes more and more apparent; there are so many levels working here that it takes time to process them all.
While the price of the book may discourage some, and the mere fact that this is a "graphic novel" by definition, if you are considering buying this then please give it a chance. After the first go around, you may not be immediately impressed. But give it a night or two, and I promise you that the story will resonate within you, thus justifying you purchase.
Deserves the 5 stars easily.
Book Review: Amazing, If A Little Confusing
Summary: 4 Stars
With the upcoming film version of The Fountain coming out soon, which is written and directed by Aronofsky, I decided to check out the graphic novel version, which has received enormous praise. Boasting a story by acclaimed writer/director Darren Aronofsky and artwork by Kent Williams, The Fountain tells the story of a man whose love knows no bounds, not even time.
Taking place across three different time periods (Spain and the New World in the 1500s, America in the present, and in a space-worthy pod in the distant future), Thomas Verde will do anything to save the love of his life Izzy. Drawing on ideas from the book of Genesis, Tom searches for the mythic Tree of Life in order to grant immortality to himself and Izzy, but when the tree begins to die, he must travel to a dying star in order to rejuvenate it.
While the story is simple to explain, it is a little confusing to read in the book. I should probably read it over again, just in case, though. A second reading is probably required.
The artwork is very distinctive, and, for the most part, very beautiful. The art from the past and the future is breathtaking, however, in my opinion, the stuff used for the story in the present is a little bland. It is fairly colorless compared to the brilliance of the 1500 storyline.
While the book wasn't everything I was expecting, it was still very good, and, now more than ever, I am eagerly awaiting the movie.
Book Review: Great stuff.
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm a big fan of Aronofsky's films and have been following the production of "The Fountain" since the beginning. I'm sure the endless delays will have been forth it after reading Kent Williams' comic adaptation of the script though.
I don't want to give anything away, because that would take away the joy of discovery. I'll simply say that it's a powerfully written, and exceedingly psychedelic story about love, death, and eternal life.
The art is wonderful. Broad water color looking strokes over sketches combined with at least two other styles of illustration. Very fitting for the story. Each section has its own visual continuity that can suddenly shift to reflect the mood. It's really quite an achievement. I paid well over what amazon is charging and I don't feel ripped off at all. It really is great.
If you have any love of good, powerful, character/idea driven science fiction I suggest you give this a shot. Yes, it's a graphic novel. Even if you're not versed in the particular vernacular of reading comics you'll still find much to love here. Something about the panel layout makes it feel more like a movie than any book I've read before. Go forth! Buy!