Le Chien Gardien D'étoiles (2008) - Plot & Excerpts
"Named after dogs that tend to stare at the stars wistfully. Just as we all wish for something that we will never possess..."Stargazing Dog came up as a read for a book club I'm in and given I'd heard good buzz and it was a single volume story I gave it a try knowing nothing about it, not even reading the book description. On one hand I'm glad I did - the description gives away a little too much in my opinion and it was nice to experience the story unfolding on its own. On the other hand I didn't know what to expect in tone, and it's not the easy going, light story the smiling dog in a field of sunflowers cover might indicate. The above opening quote and early pages set the scene and atmosphere quickly though. This story features all the emotions of life, from the content happiness on the face of the smiling dog to experiences more melancholy to the consequences and benefits of duty and loyalty. There's a lot to think about packed into Murakami's tale of a dog and his owners, all seamlessly woven into an account of the daily events of their lives.Stargazing Dog is actually a collection of the titular story and its sequel, "Sunflowers." The first story runs about 80 pages and is told from the point of view of a dog named Happie. The narrative technique is very well used as the reader gains insight via the difference in Happie's limited understanding of events and seeing the events themselves. Like the realities of life being depicted Happie's story is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, and progresses in a deliberate way that resonates strongly with the reader.The sequel is roughly the last third of the book (45 pages) and features an unrelated man that finds a connection to Happie's story. While I won't share further details to avoid spoilers, Sunflowers presents the perspective of another character that shares the wistfulness of the stargazing dogs and is a fitting follow up.The art is very distinctive in style, and the exaggerated way humans (particularly their faces) are drawn will be a bit off-putting for some. It fits in with the rest of the art though, and the backgrounds and little details are exquisite. All in all the art enhances the atmosphere and emotions of the story suitably.The short afterword is rather interesting, as the points the author makes didn't really come across while I was reading. I'm not sure how much those themes got into the work (or if that was even Murakami's intention or if they were just inspirational notes), nor if I agree with them, but it's still a nice treat to hear what the author sees in his own work and looking through the stories to catch the touches of those sentiments adds yet another nice layer to a comic already filled with depth.Introspective, unique and lovingly crafted, Stargazing Dog is an easy recommendation for anyone who doesn't mind slice-of-life stories with some philosophical bent. ¿Quién no se ha quedado mirando alguna vez las estrellas? En Japón existe la figura del Hoshimamoru Inu, la metáfora de que todos anhelamos lo imposible y que se podría traducir como “ser un perro enamorado de las estrellas”. De eso va esta pequeña historia de mismo título, creada por Takashi Murakami.El perro enamorado de las estrellas es uno de esos cómics tiernos, que pretenden ir al corazón del lector. Y según como sea este, lo consigue con mayor o menor facilidad. Murakami nos propone una serie de capítulos conectados, su nexo es la historia de amistad de un hombre que lo pierde todo y su perro Happy, pero también la gente que los rodea.En realidad, Murakami es muy astuto (como todo buen artista): contándonos estas historias sobre la fidelidad de unos animales, en realidad se nos están contando hechos que tratan de la propia humanidad: la lealtad, la bondad, el fin de la vida, la crueldad, los remordimientos…Además Murakami sabe también dibujar y narrar, a través de una línea que aunque a veces pueda tirar por cierta caricaturización (y eso no está nada mal, siendo máxima a la hora de expresar sentimientos), también juega a lo que juega todo El perro enamorado de la historia: la búsqueda de la ternura y ser un disparo a los sentimientos de todo lector.Un servidor siempre se asombrará por cómo el arte nos asombra. El cómic se compone de viñetas y tinta, el dibujo y la narración mezcla todo… y nos cuenta algo. ¿Por qué algo que no ha ocurrido nos llega tan profundamente? Es solo trazo y papel… Pero qué mágico es cuando el cómic o el manga nos alcanza, cuando ese halo que lo rodea nos hace un nudo en la garganta. Eso lo consigue Murakami y ese pequeño cachorro, estos relatos llenos de nostalgia que buscan que el lector se siente dentro de la trama y sea uno más, avivando sus recuerdos mientras lee. Murakami va directo a nuestra nostalgia y nuestros sentimientos hacia nuestras mascotas lo saca a la luz y no sería raro verlo reflejado en nuestras lágrimasEl perro enamorado de las estrellas puede que no sea perfecta, pero consigue su propósito: cada vez que alcemos la mirada, veremos las estrellas.
What do You think about Le Chien Gardien D'étoiles (2008)?
A bittersweet graphic novel about the bond between humans and their pets. Sweet though predictable.
—kadengreen4
Almost made me cry at the end. Shows how animals can be as endearing as humans.
—keokacheer
I hugged my dog after reading this. It reminds me a bit of Hachi. Cue tears.
—mjimenaflores
Well that was extremely, heart-wrenchingly depressing...
—Jan
