Gripping and emotional from the start. An amazing story shown through gorgeous illustrations. It has some great metaphors and quotes.

Four and a half stars, for a great edition of a very good book. It's a short tale, of a young soldier who knows nothing else, stumbling on an elderly lighthousekeeper, who shows the lad through his determination (and his knowledge of literary quotes) how there is always something worth attaining just over the horizon, should you have the legs (or sails) to get there. The author must have this as a key issue, for the making-of section accompanies an essay regarding all the many small changes he makes of all his works from one edition to another, and with every new translation, forever with the goal of making a fully finished, perfect piece. This being the second book of his I've read (after the impressive Wrinkles) just makes me think he's a dab hand at getting it right first time, for the lovely quality of the blue and white artwork and the rhythm of the narrative are really most enjoyable. Whatever lengths the story went through to get to this position were well worth it.

'The Lighthouse' by Paco Roca was such a good graphic novel. This is the kind of book to recommend to people who think comics are for kids.

Francisco is young man fighting for the Republican guard during the Spanish Civil War. He has decided he has had enough and he deserts. He is helped by a lonely lighthouse keeper. The older man lives off of the flotsam that the sea brings him. The old man is joyful, but the young is cynical. The old man sings songs and quotes Moby Dick. He tends to the lighthouse, even though there is no bulb in the light. Someday soon, he may get a replacement and he wants the lighthouse to be ready.

I really loved this story. It's a quieter story and the relationship between the young man and the old man evolves over the story. There are some interesting twists and turns along the way. The art is very good. I'm glad I got a chance to read this.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Papercutz, NBM Publishing, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

I liked this graphic novel, even if, from time to time I found it a little bit unsubstantial, but still the illustrations and the whole story was worth a read. Not the best work by Paco Roca anyway.

Questa graphic novel mi é piaciuta, anche se a tratti era assolutamente insignificante, comunque la storia e i disegni la rendono sufficientemente valida, pur senza essere l'opera migliore di Paco Roca.

THANKS TO NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!

A beautiful, poignant book, infused with the essences of Moby Dick, Cervantes, and Boges. Such a human story, poetic, sad, and elegant. Not a wasted panel here.

Beautifully simple art work with a compelling story line.

We are touched by major events in our lives, and the lives of our country. The Spanish Civil War seems to have touched artists and cartoonists of Spain like nothing in the US, save, perhaps WWII.

This is a story of one soldier, based on one the cartoonist knew, who was on the losing side, and wanted to escape to France. Along the way he meets an old light house keeper who tells him tales of an island that they must sail to, and so together, as a way of healing, they build a ship to take them there.

It is a quiet tale, with the underpinnings of the war not too far away. Beautifully illustrated, and sad, or perhaps not sad, depending on how you interpret it.

Recommend this for those who want to read graphic novels from non-Americans, and see how others tell stories.

Thanks to NetGalley for making this book available for an honest review.