Tales from the Inner City

Tales from the Inner City is a gorgeously written and illustrated volume featuring Shaun Tan’s paintings and drawings, one that invites the reader into a wildly imaginative, surreal world. It explores the mysteries and wonders of the natural world, one that humans may never fully comprehend. In the world Tan creates, there are crocodiles living on the 87th floor of a skyscraper, pigs stranded in apartment backrooms, moonfish swimming the night skies, eagles hunting in airports, and a rooftop tree that blooms briefly once in a lifetime, among other stories. The artwork is luminous, the writing, lyrical. What the reader will discover in this latest offering by this amazing artist/author is a genuinely unconventional, exceptionally imaginative, and poetically presented world. Tales from the Inner City is a true gem and creative wonder in its own right, and a book that is well worth reading.

Each chapter responds to the world we are in with inspiring imagination and relationships.

I have never written a review. I'll make this short. Get this damn book. I'm stunned/shocked from how beautiful it is. His artwork alone, brought me to tears. I did not expect anything from this book, bought it on a whim. There is something here that I can't describe. Maybe, its just pure heart mixed with talent. I'm tempted to drain my entire bank account on this author. Just amazing. So, if you where once like me, trying to siphon through reviews...stop. Get this book.

Amazing book, I pick it up all the time and get something new out of it each time. Beautiful artwork and words. I love this kind of work that is engaging for people of any age.

So many wonderfully unique short stories and beautiful illustrations. In 6 sentences Tan can conjure an impossible reality that can be so readily accepted and imagined. Though his storytelling can work on different levels, from fanciful to thought provoking, I would characterize his stories in this book as the latter which, for me, makes it all the more enjoyable.

This book is beautiful and amazing. The stories and art are deeply moving. You will be transported to another world that is still very much of this one. Shaun Tan has put the intangible into words and images. Brilliant. Poetic. Lyrical. Simultaneously real and surreal.

This is a really unusual book.It's highly illustrated and the pictures are gorgeous. Most of the short stories are bizarrely, surreally beautiful…and sad. The language is poetic. I loved the one about fishing from the rooftops. The lost cat story was my favorite (though it wasn't surreal like the rest). Other greats: the one beginning "The monster of our nightmares was finally dead," the board member/frog one, the one about the boy wonder, the butterfly one, and the orca in the sky.Many of the other pieces were more like meditations, philosophy rambles, prose poetry, poetic rants, etc. I personally didn't enjoy those nearly as much, especially the ones that were really metaphorical or surreal. However, I think some people will really love them.Personal enjoyment of the actual stories: a strong 4 starsPersonal enjoyment of the other writing: 2-3 stars, depending on the piece—though I can see how others would rate them much higherArt: a strong 4 starsIf you like poetry (and things written as prose that feel like poetry), you should try this book.

An ode to animals. Frank, sad and beautiful.

Les illustrations sont magnifiques ! Univers particulier et beau coloriste !

beautiful book! imaginative stories and wonderfully made!

Quando é que este livro será traduzido?25 histórias com 25 animais diferentes na cidade grande. Histórias recheadas com reflexões, críticas, poesia, tudo e mais um pouco, sempre fazendo pensar. E as ilustrações são lindíssimas!A primeira é sobre crocodilos vivendo anonimamente no 87º andar de um prédio, exceto pelos construtores, caras da manutenção,... Com todo o conforto e necessidades de um crocodilo enquanto o ser humano ...A segunda é sobre borboletas e o instante. Incontáveis borboletas chegam na hora do almoço, pousando nas pessoas e tudo neste momento é este viver. Quando o instante passa, aí sim volta tudo, inclusive os incessantes questionamentos, preocupações e investigações.A terceira é sobre cachorro. Recheada de imagens (as anteriores tinham uma imagem por história). As muitas imagens e os textos também fragmentados pelas páginas, traçam um tempo maior para esta história e que se repete(cíclica), na relação do homem com o cão, que traz questionamento sobre a vida e o mundo, mas que segue em frente, o homem e o cão, unidos.Difícil explicar, tem que ser lida para se acompanhar no tempo exato, textos e imagens.Todas as histórias emocionam e fazem pensar e no mais eu não estou fazendo jus ao texto. É preciso ler o livro para se ter noção do que significa esta experiência. Imperdível!

This book, like all of Shaun Tan's work, is full of breathtakingly beautiful illustrations, and profound writing. It offers a sensitive portrayal of our complex relationships with animals and the habitats we share. Would highly recommend (I would say it's best suited for ages 12 and up--some of the topics are a little heavy and more abstract).

Shaun Tan ha una straordinaria sensibilità, i disegni sono centellinati, a coadiuvare la nostra fantasia, e bellissimi. Storie che creano un link con la profondità della cose.