As I have written previously I got into graphic novels a few years ago and have been expanding my collection since then. A local bookshop has a big second hand section and they get a few of these books. I spotted this one in there and it was bought for me as a Christmas present as people struggle to know what to get me.
Snowpiercer is a French series dating back to the 1980s. Our world has gone into a new ice age and the survivors live on a huge train that travels the world. There is something about it having to keep moving to generate the energy they need, but I am not sure that is ever fully explained. This comic has inspired a movie that I have not seen and a TV series that I watched on Netflix. I have not seen the fourth and final series yet, but I am not sure where I could watch it.
I have not read the first book, but I will look out for it. There are three volume plus two more of prequels. This book has a timeline in the back to show where they all take place as well as the TV and movie versions. This one does not overlap with the TV show and so I was not familiar with the characters.
The art is all in monochrome that suits the icy environment they travel through. The people of the train are on various social levels (much like the train class system) with those in charge limiting information to the masses. They also exploit religion to keep control with an armed team to enforce it.
I will not reveal any more of the plot, but it is quite gripping with lots of action. It is very violent and so so aimed at adults.
You may notice a second book in the picture above. From Hell by the great Alan Moore is a spin on the Jack The Ripper murders of Victorian London. I found it in a wonderful bookshop in Whitley Bay. I have seen the movie version starring Johnny Depp, but that was a while ago and I have forgotten the details. Whilst the Snowpiercer book is quite slim From Hell runs to a few hundred pages. I am reading something else for now, but will report on this when I get to it. My stack of books to read is quite big.
I maintain my list of books read and to read at Rambling Readers that is federated on Bookwyrm. I previously used Goodreads, but prefer open alternatives.
 |
The man behind: | @tenkminnows: Helping good Hivers level up @proofofbrian: A bot that checks for tag typos #BritList: A monthly list of Hivers in the UK |