Thursday 29 June 2017

"Buddha: An Enlightened Life" by Keiron Moore and Rajesh Nagulakonda (Campfire)

Well, there's no doubt about it, this is certainly an entirely original title but thoroughly absorbing and enlightening indeed...!
Campfire really do buck the trend when it comes to tackling an amazingly eclectic mix of subjects.

We recently reviewed their awesome take on the Industrial Revolution in their history series (which was also a well deserved Book of the Week). Now it's the turn of spiritualism, and in particular the methods and faith of Buddhism.

Too meaty an intricate a subject for a graphic novel? Think again as this title delves into the origins of a religion that is the faith of 300 million people around the world today.

Beginning in the ancient city of Kapilavastu, the story begins with a prince named Siddhartha Gautama. When he was born, a wise man declared that he would grow up to be either a powerful king or a spiritual leader who would end suffering.

Though his father kept him sheltered, Siddhartha soon became aware of the pain and disease that plagued the world and so abandoned his noble life in order to find answers.

He'd eventually become the founder of a religion which persists today, and which has spread a message of compassion and understanding across the world. 

It was not an easy journey; Siddhartha faced the temptations of a demon, the outbreaks of war, and rebellion within his own order. 

Follow his journey from prince to pauper and from beggar to Buddha in an astonishingly detailed and beautifully illustrated comic novel that is only the start of a journey of discovery into what Buddhism means. 

Stunning, stunning stuff. 

"Buddha: An Enlightened Life" by Keiron Moore and Rajesh Nagulakonda is out now, published by Campfire Graphic Novels (kindly supplied for review).