cover image The Prophet

The Prophet

Kahlil Gibran and Zeina Abirached. Interlink, $35 (366p) ISBN 978-1-62371-645-5

Lebanese artist Abirached (A Game for Swallows) presents a simple yet striking reinterpretation of Gibran’s 1923 classic. God’s chosen, Almustafa, has spent 12 years in Orphalese, awaiting a ship that will bring him home. As the vessel approaches, the townspeople gather to engage the prophet in a dialogue, during which he opines about marriage, work, and freedom. A seeress asks Almustafa about love, to which he responds that love should be all-encompassing. A rich man asks about giving, and the prophet advises the townsfolk to give of themselves rather than of their possessions. A priest inquires about religion, and the prophet reminds him that “your daily life is your temple and your religion.” Abirached gives faces and personalities to what were nameless townspeople in the original text, equating them with the prophet through a consistent black-and-white color palette and her curlicue detailing (hair and mustaches are prominent features). Marjane Satrapi’s influence on the artwork is evident, but Abirached’s style also recalls illustrated classics like C.C. Tsai’s Dao De Jing. Admirers of Gibran will want to add this attractive and accessible edition to their collection. (Nov.)