From Hell – an unnecessarily complex work ?
April 10, 2008
Like I promised before, this is my first review I post here.
First of all, some data :
| Author | Alan Moore |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Eddie Campbell |
| Cover artist | Eddie Campbell |
| Country | Australia & United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | graphic novel, true crime |
| Publisher | Eddie Campbell Comics & Top Shelf Productions |
| Publication date | 1999 (collected edition) |
| Media type | Print (paperback) |
| Pages | 572 |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-958-57834-6 |
( source : wikipedia )
Initially, the book impressed me very much. Moore did a very good job by using a meticulous research as a foundation. The explorations and insinuations are also courageous, despite being a little bit far – fetched in its speculations.
Now, the idea that Jack the Ripper murders were done to cover – up the birth of an illegitimate child of England royal family is not a new one. It was brought forth by Stephen Knight. Moore borrowed this idea as an open door into in – depth exploration of more complex factor involved in that era. This led into a study of medic, psychology, culture, sociology and even occultism at some part. Which is very sound and good, to do him some justice.
However, what makes it work also cause it shortfall. If you are looking for a good read to enjoy, From Hell simply could not do it. It does not entertain you like any good old ‘whodunnits’, but provokes you and makes you question some things you hold true.
I don’t know about you, but one of the reason I read fiction is to entertain. Clever works are enlightening, – but too heavy to enjoy if there is too much of it. It almost feels like reading a textbook.
Leave a comment if you have other thoughts. For Indonesian reader, feel free to leave yours in Bahasa Indonesia.
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Tags: comic, book, review, from hell, graphic novel
