Seeped in flamenco rhythms, a hero’s journey of love and hope
Antonia
is the sole inhabitant of a deserted town, with only a roaming pack of
dogs and her own worn out memories to keep her company. Nothing is new
in this world, the ponds are so still they are dead, and her
recollections feel more vivid than her surroundings. At times, the
isolation is unbearable. Until she meets her flower. Her flower gives
her purpose: a reason to get up each morning, to ring the bells of the
town, to wake up the fields, and to feel alive. And yet a relentless
thought eats away at her—what will happen once her flower dies?
Her
quest to save the flower begins alongside a charming traveler from the
land of mirrors.The pair embark on a journey filled with music, swimming
holes, and folk tales whispered late into the starry night. They march
through the fields to the beat of turtledove calls, occasionally
stopping to get drunk off the fruits of the strawberry tree. Slowly
Antonia opens up to the world beyond her town, to the people who inhabit
it—and to the endless possibilities of community and friendship.
One
of Spain’s most successful contemporary illustrators, María Medem’s
atmospheric storytelling bursts with sensorial delight—brimming with
engrossing sounds, flavors, and tactile sensations. With impeccable line
work and an enchanting use of color, Medem spins a heartfelt meditation
on loneliness, friendship, and the transformative power of love.
Translated from Spanish by Aleshia Jensen and Daniela Ortiz.
About the author:
María Medem
was born and lives in Seville, Spain. She began self-publishing
fanzines after completing her fine arts studies. She’s been published by
Terry Bleu (Netherlands), Studio Fidèle (France), and Apa Apa Cómics
(Spain). Her latest two books, Cénit and Por Culpa de una Flor, (the Spanish edition of Land of Mirrors),
were published by Apa Apa, the latter in collaboration with Blackie
Books. In between comics work, María also spends time illustrating,
animating, and going on walks with her greyhound.
María Medem will be in conversation with Warren Bernard.
Warren Bernard
is is the Executive Director of Small Press Expo and a comics
historian. Warren has lectured on various topics of comics history at
the Library of Congress, University of Pennsylvania, The Center for
Cartoon Studies and other institutions. His book Cartoons for Victory,was nominated for the prestigious Eisner Award, his second such nomination. Warren contributed articles to The Comics Journal, Military History and The Nib,
as well as providing research, writing and materials from his
collection to over 25 books on the subject of comics history. Warren has
curated exhibits at the Society of Illustrators, Chicago Historical
Society and Anne Arundel Community College, lending to those exhibitions
as well as others. Warren established The Warren Bernard Collection as
well as The Small Press Expo Collection, both at the Library of
Congress, as well as establishing a named collection at Columbia
University's Butler Library.
Accessibility
note: This event is up two flights of stairs and Lost City Books does
not have an elevator. Please contact events@lostcitybookstore.com with
questions.
Dato de
accesibilidad: Este evento toma lugar en el segundo piso y Lost City
Books no tiene ascensor. Favor de contactar events@lostcitybookstore.com
con cualquiera duda.
