Artaud for Beginners

Writers & Readers Documentary Comic Book #78

by Gabriela Stoppelman, Jorge Hardmeier (Illustrator)

A life of addictions and psychiatric confinement did nothing to deter this avant-garde artist from having a revolutionary impact on the world of theater.

Genres: Biography, Graphic Novels, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1998

Reviews

[Autoclette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This actually changed my aerial perspective on Artaud, as it condensed his life in a way that my readings of his works, and the mythology I held on to had not.

[G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Queda clara la mezcla de lucidez y padecimiento personal que hay en la obra de Artaud. La vida como doble del teatro. La lucidez como crueldad. El teatro como fuente de todo en una lógica que parece plotiniana. También se deja ver esa especie rara de autoritarismo megalomaníaco que contaminó toda la producción de Artaud. Muy buenos los dibujos y viñetas sobre los episodios institucionales. Una de las mejores, diagnóstico psiquiátrico: poeta.

[Alyosha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid introduction to Artaud and his thought.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tormented life of Antonin Artaud is told in this documentary comic book. His struggle to create plays with new and immersive techniques (that forced the audience to abandon passive observation) were never appreciated, much of his work was stifled by those who labeled him insane. A solid introduction to this important artist.

[Tosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a thing for these 'For Beginners" series that I think originally came out of the U.K. The Artaud one is really good. It sort of gives you the major highlights of Artaud's life and work.... in comic book or manga form. Very well written with superb illustrations. Sort of a manual for those who are on the go. A very good book to read in the bathtub.