The protagonist of Pardalitagraphic novel created by Joana Estrelais a Portuguese girl who lives dividing her life between her divorced parents’ homes, spending her free time with her best friends, Luisa and Miguel, and attending school theater workshops.
The narrative unfolds from his point of view, punctuated by multiple episodes of his daily life, whose vignettes are anticipated by a page which, through a brief explanation, anticipates the content of the following chapter.
The illustrations, with soft and simple lines, in black and white, are accompanied by short and precise captions, which help the reader to identify with the events told and to gradually understand the feeling that binds the protagonist to one of her schoolmatesPardalita (“little sparrow”).Through an original combination of prose and poetry, the true cornerstone around which the comics take shape emerges: the first lovean adolescent crush, a pure, innocent and profound feeling, experienced withtypical intensity of youthwhich goes to tie two girls, thus going to present the image of homoerotic love in all its calm and sweet naturalness. The emotions felt, the lifestyle of the protagonist, as well as the conversations between friends, which range from films to music, from school to more purely political interests, inflamed by youthful ardor, are natural.
A light volume, which in a light and pleasant way presents topics that often embarrass adults, but which are absolutely within the reach of adults Boys, to whom the comic is addressed. A book that can give tender moments of lightheartedness through a fresh and atypical style, as new as the unexplored year that we have just begun.
We talked about:
Pardalita. Story of an encounter
Joana Estrela
Translation by Serena Tardioli
The Beaver, 2023
216 pages, paperback, black and white – €16.50
ISBN: 9791255330561
