The last launch…
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Feynman in the New York Review of Books
A review of our Feynman book appears in the current issue of The New York Review of Books.*
That this exists at all is wonderful in and of itself. What makes it more wonderful is that it’s a positive review, made apparently without reservation by its writer, who said (among other things that made me blush): “These images capture with remarkable sensitivity the essence of Feynman’s character.” and “The Ottaviani-Myrick book is the best example of this genre [graphic novels] that I have yet seen.”
But what blew the top of my head clean off is what you already figured out by looking at the cover…the reviewer is Freeman Dyson. If you don’t know who that is you can look him up now, or better still pick up a copy of his book Disturbing the Universe and dig in. Because even though he appears in our book too, you shouldn’t wait until August to read more about him.
Anyway, wow.
* Note that I don’t think you can read all of the article for free online unless you subscribe (or are at a library that subscribes) to the NYRB.
Jim Ottaviani at ALA, June 24-26 in New Orleans
If you’re a librarian (why aren’t you?), and going to the American Library Association’s Annual Conference in New Orleans this year (why wouldn’t you?), you’ll be able to find me in a bunch of places next week. I’ve never attended in this capacity before, and I’m excited about it!
My base of operations will be booth 1667 in the Graphic Novel Pavilion/Artist’s Alley. And have a look at my neighbors…what a line-up!
There’s more. I also have a bunch of public events scheduled, and I promise to talk about Feynman at every one of ’em. All are on Saturday, June 25:
10:00-10:30am
Interview w/Karen Green
Location: GN Pavilion Stage (on the exhibit floor)11:30-12:00
Signing
Location: Macmillan Children’s booth, #1115/11161:30-3:30pm
Graphic Novels: Bridging Generations, Bridging Cultures
Location: Convention Center, Room 3384:00-5:30pm
Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Information Science
Location: Convention Center, Auditorium A
I hope to see you there!
Feynman Trailer
[If the video doesn’t play for you via the embedded link, you can find it at
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kqyMr6vYZc. And though the Great and Powerful Trailer Gods decreed that showing a release date is not permitted within the video itself, they can’t stop me from telling you right here that the book comes out in August.]
TCAF 2011: The Coolest Thing (by Far) I Got There
No offense to the authors of all the great books I picked up at this year’s Toronto Comics Art Festival (new works by Chester Brown, Vera Brosgol, Stuart and Kathryn Immonen, Rina Piccolo, Jay Stephens, GB Tran, Jen Wang, and a bunch of nifty minicomics as well), but nothing compares to this:
Yes, an attractive box. But it’s more than that. When you open it, you find this:
And when you turn the box around and open it again, you find this:
Yes, I was given the gift of science and art and a lucky (or is it unlucky? or is it both?) cat with Xs for eyes…at least half the time.
Many of my friends write books that lend themselves to the creation of tangible, precious talismans. (Tokens is the usual word for this, but I think it’s too small a word.) Their readers present them with these as a thank you for the stories and it’s always warmed my heart to see it. I didn’t think my books lent themselves to such things, though.
Wrong again.
Emily and Skye: Thank you. I just about fell over when you handed this to me, and I still get goosebumps when I pick up the box and do an experiment concerning indeterminate quantum states.
Jim Ottaviani at TCAF, May 7-8 in Toronto
Another year, another Toronto Comics Art Festival. You can’t make that sound boring even if you try. And why would you try?
So, come visit the Toronto Reference Library and meet me Adrian Tomine, David Boswell, Natsume Ono, Lorenzo Mattotti and dozens of others great creators.
I’ll be there giving away advance copies of Feynman (yes, giving them away…but you’ll have to do a little reference work to get a free book), selling books (including, I think/hope, a new color minicomic!),
giving away other stuff, and I’m also
scheduled take part in a couple of panels. I hope to see you
there.
