Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
‘Zen Pencils’ by Gavin Aung Than delivers exactly what its tagline promises: Cartoon Quotes from Inspirational Folks. I’ve enjoyed his art in the past, so when I saw it was included with Kindle Unlimited, downloading it was a no-brainer.
Most of Gavin Aung Than’s work is available on his website ‘Zen Pencils’ for free already, and this book just collects some of them. I love the creator’s cartoon-style interpretation of quotes by famous figures, ranging from ancient philosopher Confucius to physicist Marie Curie.
The most surprising inclusion in ‘Zen Pencils’ is perhaps the poem ‘Ithaca‘ by Greek poet Constantine P. Cavafy, illustrated joyously as a story filled with ships, monsters, and an epic voyage. At its heart, the classic poem reminds us not to lose sight of the joy in the journey toward our destination. And Gavin Aung Than illustrates this message with a playfully memorable touch. He makes timeless wisdom feel fresh, fun, and modern.
My only complaint with this collection is that it starts to feel a bit repetitive toward the end. Many of the illustrated quotes come across as variations of “don’t be afraid to do what you love” or reminders that persistence pays off. But well, if that’s the kind of encouragement you’re after, this little book is perfect for lifting your spirits on a gloomy day.
Ironically enough, even though I am not religious or spiritual, my favorite strip from ‘Zen Pencils’ was the following quote by Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity: “Man! Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”
I’d suggest that you go through Gavin Aung Than’s cartoons on his website, and if they put a smile on your face, then definitely grab this comic-book collection.
Rating: 5 on 5. ‘Zen Pencils’ is also on Kindle Unlimited.
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