STOLEN SPIRIT
Peter Hays, STOLEN SPIRITPeter HaysBrazilian artist Lima carries this volume about a 14-year-old Guarani Indian who, during a vision quest, foresees the Portuguese invasion of his land. Her primivitist drawings, which appear to be oil pastels on colored paper, capture the jewel-like colors of her setting while evoking a rough-hewn beauty. In the opening illustration, the young man stretches out against a tree, his body echoing the tree's shape, its trunk a flame-red. Other trees mimic the pose, and all of nature seems to be in synch. By contrast, the accompanying text sounds banal: "While alone, I will chant a song and dance a special dance. It's a dance they teach all boys when they learn to become men." Often, the narrative breaks from the boy's internal voice to instruct ("I am also afraid to receive the labret.... My lower lip will have to stretch and stretch before this wooden disk can fit between my lip and teeth"). At its strongest points, the text underscores the recurring motif—introduced in the artwork—of the boy's spirit conjoined with that of the tree. For instance, when the boy sees the giant Portuguese boat, he remarks, "So many trees, so many spirits, were cut down to make this boat." The fates of the Guarani Indians and the trees coincide—both are used at the whim of the invaders. Other memorable illustrations depict the hero in Lisbon, awestruck by a vast stone church; Lima shows him dwarfed by giant blue spires on a black background—in a place devoid of trees. Ages 8-12. (Apr.)
closeDetailsReviewed on: 04/16/2001
Genre: Children's
Brazilian artist Lima carries this volume about a 14-year-old Guarani Indian who, during a vision quest, foresees the Portuguese invasion of his land. Her primivitist drawings, which appear to be oil pastels on colored paper, capture the jewel-like colors of her setting while evoking a rough-hewn beauty. In the opening illustration, the young man stretches out against a tree, his body echoing the tree's shape, its trunk a flame-red. Other trees mimic the pose, and all of nature seems to be in synch. By contrast, the accompanying text sounds banal: "While alone, I will chant a song and dance a special dance. It's a dance they teach all boys when they learn to become men." Often, the narrative breaks from the boy's internal voice to instruct ("I am also afraid to receive the labret.... My lower lip will have to stretch and stretch before this wooden disk can fit between my lip and teeth"). At its strongest points, the text underscores the recurring motif—introduced in the artwork—of the boy's spirit conjoined with that of the tree. For instance, when the boy sees the giant Portuguese boat, he remarks, "So many trees, so many spirits, were cut down to make this boat." The fates of the Guarani Indians and the trees coincide—both are used at the whim of the invaders. Other memorable illustrations depict the hero in Lisbon, awestruck by a vast stone church; Lima shows him dwarfed by giant blue spires on a black background—in a place devoid of trees. Ages 8-12.
Reviewed on: 04/16/2001
Genre: Children's
