There is a curse associated with the famous painting known as the Mona Lisa, created by the Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci. This curse is believed to bring misfortune and tragedy to those who possess or come into contact with the painting. The curse is said to have originated from a legend surrounding the model of the painting, Lisa Gherardini. According to the legend, Gherardini lived a difficult life, facing hardships and personal tragedies. It is believed that the curse stems from her unhappiness and her desire to be set free from the painting. Over the centuries, many individuals who have owned or exhibited the Mona Lisa have experienced various misfortunes.
But the Mapmakers are long gone.
Cameron previously edited comics, including titles such as Mech Cadet Yu, the Eisner Award nominated graphic novel New World, and Jim Henson s The Power of the Dark Crystal. Until one night, on the run from the Night Coats again , after breaking another rule again , Alidade stumbles upon a secret door leading to a magical hideaway that belongs to the Mapmakers.
Over the centuries, many individuals who have owned or exhibited the Mona Lisa have experienced various misfortunes. For example, in the 16th century, the painting was lost and stolen multiple times, and each time it was recovered, the owners encountered misfortune. Later, in the 19th century, the Louvre Museum in Paris acquired the Mona Lisa, and since then, it has become a symbol of the museum and a tourist attraction.
MAPMAKERS AND THE LOST MAGIC
As the oppressive might of the Night Coats befalls the town of Alden, young Alidade must uncover her inner mapmaker to liberate her home and herself.
Trouble comes easily to Alidade, a brown-skinned, black-haired girl who routinely flouts the Night Coats’ rules forbidding anyone from traveling beyond Alden’s boundaries. During one of her prohibited excursions, she spots a tree with a doorknob. Sneaking through the door in the tree’s trunk, Alidade enters the mysterious Mapmakers’ Lodge, where she finds a degraded magical map of the whole Valley as well as Blue, a haughty, birdlike creature, or Memri, who is loyal to the mapmakers’ peace-seeking cause. With help from her best friend, Lewis, who has brown skin and sandy hair, and guided by Blue’s tutelage, Alidade acquires knowledge once celebrated by the now-gone mapmakers, working to restore the map and fight back against the Night Coats. In their debut, Chittock and Castillo weave a quaint tale of courage and friendship brimming with a fruitful sense of whimsy. The artwork—inked in a lovely ramshackle style—boasts a rich and earthy palette, scaled to match the journey that Alidade undertakes as she crosses the magical barrier. Alidade’s arc from eager troublemaker to determined mapmaker chugs along at a nice pace, dependent on a couple of wordless time lapses that prove crucial. Above all, it’s Alidade’s sweetly sketched friendship with Lewis that pulls the most weight in this trilogy starter.
Intriguingly good. (sketches, recipe, drawing lesson) (Graphic fantasy. 8-12)
Pub Date: April 26, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-17287-2
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Random House Graphic
Review Posted Online: Jan. 10, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2022
A young girl finds herself faced with an impossible choice—run away from her beloved valley, or unleash a hidden magic and become a Mapmaker to save her home from its new overlords.
However, even the museum has not been immune to the curse. In 1911, the painting was famously stolen from the Louvre by an Italian handyman named Vincenzo Peruggia. The theft brought notoriety to the painting and increased its value, but it also brought tragedy to those involved. Peruggia himself was eventually caught and sentenced to time in prison. Other incidents associated with the Mona Lisa curse include the mysterious deaths of several art experts who analyzed the painting and the strange occurrences reported by visitors to the museum. Some claim to have seen the painting's eyes following them or experienced a feeling of unease in its presence. While many dismiss the curse as mere superstition or coincidence, others believe in its power and caution against owning or being too close to the painting. The curse of the Mona Lisa remains an intriguing and mystifying aspect of this iconic artwork..
Reviews for "Decoding the Symbolism of the Mona Lisa's Curse"
1. John - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "The Curse Associated with the Mona Lisa". The plot was confusing and lacked depth, making it difficult to follow. The characters were poorly developed and had little to no motivation. Additionally, the writing style was dry and unengaging, making it a struggle to get through the book. Overall, I would not recommend this read for anyone looking for a captivating and intriguing story.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - "The Curse Associated with the Mona Lisa" was an underwhelming read for me. The pacing was slow, and I found myself losing interest multiple times throughout the book. The author tried to build suspense, but it felt forced and predictable. The resolution of the plot was unsatisfying and left many loose ends. While the concept of exploring a curse related to the Mona Lisa is intriguing, the execution fell short, making it a forgettable read for me.
3. Alex - 1 star - I regret picking up "The Curse Associated with the Mona Lisa". The writing was filled with cliches and lacked originality. The characters were one-dimensional, and their actions often felt unrealistic. The plot was predictable and failed to surprise me. Overall, it was a mediocre book that didn't live up to the hype surrounding it. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating and well-crafted story.
4. Emily - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "The Curse Associated with the Mona Lisa", but unfortunately, it was a letdown. The pacing was uneven, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The dialogue was stiff and unnatural, making it hard to connect with the characters. The ending felt rushed and lacked a satisfying resolution. Overall, it was a mediocre read that didn't meet the mark for me.
5. Michael - 1 star - I found "The Curse Associated with the Mona Lisa" to be a complete waste of time. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, jumping between different timelines without clear transitions. The writing style was clunky and filled with unnecessary descriptions, slowing down the pace even more. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard to care about their journey. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking an engaging and well-written story.