A young boy stumbles across a Punch and Judy show at the pier one day and thus enters a world of extraordinary magic. A story unfolds in which the boy is forced to confront family secrets, strange puppets and a nightmarish world of violence and betrayal in this dark fable of childhood and growing up.
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Product Description
About the Author
Neil Gaiman is world famous for his extraordinary stories told in graphic novel and traditional forms. He lives in the USA with his family. Dave McKean similarly is held in the highest regard as an artist and film maker. He lives in Kent, England with his family.
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First Sentence
My grandfather arthur once took me fishing. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
My grandfather arthur once took me fishing. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Neil Gaiman is my hero. I always have, and always will be intrigued by Punch & Judy. Therefore, Gaiman's Mr. Punch is one of the greatest works I've ever read. Though it is unfair to say "Gaiman's Mr. Punch", as it is equally Dave McKean's, for without him, I'm sure Mr. Punch would lose part of its eerie, strange, subtle power. Mr. Punch is an odd book. I read it in a single sitting, and afterwards, I was actually at a loss for words trying to describe what it is. This was a first; I can praise Neil Gaiman for hours on end, but I was stuck with Mr. Punch. I've seen it classified as Horror, Science Fiction, normal Fiction, and just as a Comic. But it is much more. It sent something through me - something that I am also at a loss of words about. This is a really great story, much like a dream (or nightmare, depending) it is surreal, yet uncommonly realistic; it is disturbing, but also soothing. It's more of an experience than a reading. McKean's artwork and Gaiman's words send you into something of a trance, where you enjoy yourself, get disturbed (actually, more troubled, as the young protangonist would say), and subtly reminded of your own childhood. A must read for any Gaiman or McKean fan, and also a must read for any Punch & Judy enthusiast, or anyone looking for a great read.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I have a vague recollection of watching a Punch and Judy show when I was very young. The only tangible memory is of Punch beating Judy - repeatedly. I don't remember the story or the other characters.
This book, "The Comical Tragedy or Tragical Comedy of Mr Punch" had the unnerving ability to bring trace memories back to vivid recollection. This, in itself, makes the book quite brilliant.
But, it is the art of Dave McKean with his juxtaposition of styles and elements that makes this book wonderfully macabre.
I switched on to McKean before Gaiman. His work on 'Arkham Asylum' transcended the constraints of the 'comic book' medium and, because of it, he has been accused of being inaccessible by some so-called 'comic book' purists.
Which isn't really surprising because McKean's influences owe much more to modern art and, in particular, the Dada movement of the early decades of the last century than to the Kirby school of thinking. But, this falls far short of defining McKean's art because his art is impossible to define.
And as a result his version of the Joker was, in my opinion, the best ever.
Dave McKean has given Mr Punch the same eerie sensibilities as he gave to the Joker. Just the right mixture of jest and malevolence to make a brutal story even more disturbing.
It's difficult to nail down precisely the intent of Mr Punch. It partly revolves around a young boy's growing awareness of evil in the world with Mr Punch as the catalyst but, as with McKean's art, it is impossible to define.
And because of this, it has to be read.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
The artwork is in the mood of looking through an old attic closet in the neighborhood's junk dealers house after he dies.
It has the feeling of touching a piece of the past that you may
or may not have ever been in contact with. The story is as innocent as a child and as guilty as a scary clown. I liked it very much.
It has the feeling of touching a piece of the past that you may
or may not have ever been in contact with. The story is as innocent as a child and as guilty as a scary clown. I liked it very much.
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4.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Thumbs Up!
This is a part remembered, part imagined childhood memory. It beautifully illustrates the fog of youth created by the uncertainty of recollection and the mystery of adults. Read more
Published 1 month ago by 365 Graphic Novels
5.0 out of 5 stars
SUPERB.
SUPERB? YOU BETCHA! THIS BOOK WAS ABSOLUTELY,UTTERLY,TOTALLY,UNARGUABLY,COMPLETELY SUPERB!
IN FACT IT WAS SO SUPERB IT WAS BEYOND SUPERB. SUPERBLY SUPER-SUPER SUPERB!!
IN FACT IT WAS SO SUPERB IT WAS BEYOND SUPERB. SUPERBLY SUPER-SUPER SUPERB!!
Published 2 months ago by Jeffrey R. Reed
5.0 out of 5 stars
Games of memory
I will openly admit that I have never seen the Punch and Judy story, and I haven't got the faintest idea how it goes. Read more
Published on 1 May 2011 by E. A Solinas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sinister!
This is a really sinister book... beautifully written and illustrated.
It's packed full of haunting imagery and words.
Well worth a purchase in my eyes.
It's packed full of haunting imagery and words.
Well worth a purchase in my eyes.
Published on 27 July 2010 by Fraught
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enigmatic Mr Punch
This dark graphic novel captures perfectly the disquiet that surrounds Punch. Half-remembered family secrets seen through the eyes of a child... Read more
Published on 28 Jan 2010 by R. E. Bennett
4.0 out of 5 stars
Exciting stuff!
This is a really interesting book. I bought it after visiting a great exhibition of McKean's graphic works. Read more
Published on 2 July 2009 by Alisdair Fleming
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing piece of work!
The art in this book is just totally brilliant and the story is a fantastic psychological and historical investigation into the violence of Punch and Judy as well as in the family. Read more
Published on 27 May 2009 by Ms. C. L. Moody
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not up to Gaiman's usual standards
I do love Neil Gaiman's work, but Mr. Punch is not one of his better efforts, in my opinion.
It was loosely put together, and failed to offer up the blurbed promises of "A... Read more
Published on 17 Mar 2004 by Schtinky
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not for kids
Utterly excellent. Both lyrically and graphically. Punch and Judy a kids tale? Apparently not!
Published on 9 Sep 2003 by Mr. D. Stewart
5.0 out of 5 stars
A return to childhood.
The easiest thing to say about this book is that it looks simply fantastic, but this doesn't do it true justice. Read more
Published on 23 July 2003 by Mr A W Jones
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