The Mysteries Hardcover – October 10, 2023

This is a lovely book that answers to no one. I admire it for what it is, and nothing else. The very critical reviews here make me rather sad. This is a work of art. If you enjoy it, that's wonderful. If you do not, then perhaps it's not meant for you.The story is an allegory, and while many reviewers have made attempts to make its meaning explicit, I will do no such thing. Honestly, I feel that to do so would be in direct opposition of what I just read.Suffice it to say that it's a beautiful, haunting book that can be read in only a few minutes if you really want, with just a few words on each page; or it can be lingered on for longer, to slowly absorb the precisely worded story and darkly enchanting artwork. The whole thing feels like the embodiment of a dream, or (long shot) if anyone's familiar with Marillion's 21st Century, like something manifested from that song.It's physically smaller than I expected, well made, and has a hard, cloth cover that feels good to hold.While it's called a fable for adults, there's no reason is can't be read by children who happen to find it lying around.Personally, I'm glad it exists.

Artful in every detail, The Mysteries is both a timeless and timely parable. A little book with a big message.It invites us to look within.This is a cautionary tale of few words. The text is concise and accessible. I would think that anyone over the age of eight would find it easy going. It seems to me to be an enjoyable and worthwhile read for children and adults.The format serves well the telling. Against a stark, white background each line of the unfolding story appears in the center of its own left-hand page. On the right, a full page image illuminates the words, like pictorial adjectives and adverbs. The largely white pages to the left juxtaposed with the richly detailed full page pictures on the right is striking.Those who give these wonderful images no more than a cursory glance will be missing much. Cast in black & white and shades between, the pictures are on the dark side, as befits the fable, but they’re certainly not dreary!I found myself chuckling at the outlandish characters who inhabit this land, at once far off and close by.With their hyperbolic heads—the facial expressions alone are worth the price of admission—and their peculiarly proportioned bodies, along with their various and sundry personal effects, the figures are fantastical and filled with humor.I loved The Mysteries and it has left me thinking, not necessarily of things I’ve not thought of before, but thinking, nonetheless. The Mysteries are not so mysterious, after all.

After an almost 3-decade absence, Bill Watterson is back but in a new and mysterious way. I absolutely loved this collaboration, as well as the simplicity and the depth with which it was delivered. The artwork is mesmerizing, unsettling, and is calling for your attention in a way that makes it hard to put down. This book has been definitely following me around the house as its own mysterious entity.This is not a book for everyone, and definitely not the kind of book that will relieve your itch for another comic. This is a tale of darkness and light, a mix of meditation and unsettling questions. This is perfect for those who love metaphor, prefer to live with the questions (as opposed to having everything answered on the spot), and who feel comfortable in the mythopoetic realm. What a gem!For those who want to know more about the creative process behind this wonderful collaboration, I suggest looking up "Collaborating on The Mysteries - Bill Watterson and John Kascht" on youtube. It definitely made me appreciate this book even more, seeing how all the elements came together. Simply wonderful!

"The Mysteries" is the latest work of one of the greatest artists of the 20th century, over 10 years in the making.And I don't know what to do with it.Surprisingly, I think John Kascht maybe the real star here, although I'm not sure how much input Watterson had on the visuals.I read it once, I enjoyed the story and the illustrations. That's where this work really shines. I almost wish the story had been written in some style of calligraphy, or been implemented into the artwork somehow, like The Book of Kells, or an illuminated manuscript. A missed opportunity I think.The pages are very sparse. This would have worked fine if it was in some form of poetry. Instead it's written like a children's book, but is clearly targeted towards adults. I appreciate the message, though. I could imagine this being narrated by Christopher Lee.Now that I've read it, what do I do with it? Put it on the coffee table for guests to read? Give it to my toddler to read? Read it and reread it and reread it over and over again? I don't want to do any of these things with it. It's cool, but not that cool. The illustrations are great, but no better than a lot of the things I've seen in children's books I read to my kids. Children read and reread books like this over and over again, not adults.Other than looking at the pictures a few more times, or maybe rereading the story one more time just to kind of ponder, I think I'm done with it. It'll sit on my shelf for the rest of my life I suppose.If I want to share how much I love Bill Watterson with someone, "The Mysteries" will definitely not be my go-to. Only a footnote in the career of a legend.I don't think it's the story (which is clever, but nothing new) or the lush artwork that makes this uninteresting, I think it's the medium. I think it would have been much more interesting as a short stop motion film. Short meaning 3 to 5 minutes, max. Shakespeare this is not. John Kascht's visuals are gorgeous, and beg to be in motion.As a hardcover coffee table type book, it just doesn't seem to serve much of a purpose. That being said I am glad I bought it.I think.If for no other reason just to show Bill Watterson how much the world wants to hear his voice again. I think I'm a fan of John Kascht now though.