Joann Sfar
The Rabbi’s Cat (2005)
Author: Joann Sfar
Genre: Graphic Novel
Plot Summary:
This adult graphic novel is a collection of three stories previously published separately and then put together in the author’s country of France before later being translated by Alexis Siegel and Anjali Singh and published in English. The story is told from the point of view of a rabbi’s cat in Algeria who gains the ability to speak after eating a talking parrot. He then wants to learn the ways of Judaism, from the kabbala to the Torah and have his own bar mitzvah. He looses his ability to speak when he breaks one of the 10 commandments. Later, a rabbi from France comes to Algeria and falls in love with the rabbi’s daughter. They get married and go on a honeymoon in France, taking the elder rabbi with them. The result is a humorous clash of French, Jewish, and Arab culture. The book is nominated for and Eisner award for best new graphic album.
Geographical Setting: Algeria and France
Time Period: 1930s
Appeal Characteristics:
Perhaps the biggest appeal characteristic is the fact that it is Jewish. There are several references and teachings of the Torah and Jewish customs in addition to the story of a rabbi and his daughter. It might have an attraction to female readers because of the daughter and the cat. The fact that it is foreign and has a foreign setting where one can learn about that culture may be an appeal. The somewhat dark and humorous tone might also be an appeal. This tone mainly comes from the characters, especially the cat and his humorous point of view. It might also be another attraction to females. The artwork is richly done in colors of Northern Africa; however, it is mainly a complement to the story. The main story is told through the words and talk bubbles rather than the artwork.
Read-alikes: A graphic novel for the female who likes foreign novels or foreign settings would be anything by Marjane Satripi. Her Persepolis series talks about growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution and Embroideries is about a bunch of Iranian women gathering together talking about life and love. For those who like the Jewish theme, Will Eisner’s Fagin the Jew: A Graphic Novel might be a good one. This tells the story of the Jewish thief in Charles Dickens’Oliver. His A Contract with God about Jewish life in the Bronx at different time periods might also be a possibity. For those who liked Sfar’s artwork, you might try another one of his graphic novels such as Klezmer: Tales of the Wild East. However, there is extreme violence and some nudity in this one. Finally, on a more serious note for those who are interested in Judaism, Vittorio Giardino’s series A Jew in Communist Prague might be something to look into.
Red Flags: sexual references, some adult themes, brief nudity
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