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Houses with a Story: A Dragon’s Den, a Ghostly Mansion, a Library of Lost Books, and 30 More Amazing Places to Explore
For fans of Studio Ghibli, artist Seiji Yoshida’s fantastical art book is a perfect gift that transports readers to imaginary houses, each with their own story to tell.
A dreamer’s tree house.
A mechanic’s cottage.
A submerged city.
In Houses with a Story , more than 30 imaginative houses and the people who make them home offer unexpected worlds to wander through and explore. Who is the mischievous bridge-tower keeper? What does the witch grow in her garden? How does the postal worker tame his delivery dragons? In each house, readers discover the contents of rooms and closets, what’s at the top of the stairs, and where shadowy hallways lead. Story text provides background and details about the lives of the residents and hints about their past and future.
Featuring lush, full-color illustrations including diagrams, elevations, and sectional drawings, along with detailed descriptions of each character and their pets, the homes’ architecture, design, location, and landscapes open doors to whimsy, wonder, and endless possibilities.
A dreamer’s tree house.
A mechanic’s cottage.
A submerged city.
In Houses with a Story , more than 30 imaginative houses and the people who make them home offer unexpected worlds to wander through and explore. Who is the mischievous bridge-tower keeper? What does the witch grow in her garden? How does the postal worker tame his delivery dragons? In each house, readers discover the contents of rooms and closets, what’s at the top of the stairs, and where shadowy hallways lead. Story text provides background and details about the lives of the residents and hints about their past and future.
Featuring lush, full-color illustrations including diagrams, elevations, and sectional drawings, along with detailed descriptions of each character and their pets, the homes’ architecture, design, location, and landscapes open doors to whimsy, wonder, and endless possibilities.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2020
70 people are currently reading
1099 people want to read
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April 4, 2024
If you need a artistic dose of quiet, calming joy, do I have a book for you!
Houses With a Story from Japanese illustrator Seiji Yoshida is a delightful collection about unique houses and the people who call them home. This is like poetry as a visual art you can hold in your hands and was given the 2024 American Library Association Awards Batchelder Award for the wonderful translation by Jan Mitsuko Cash. The artwork is supremely serene and reminds me a bit of Studio Ghibli and I love how each house is examined through small blurbs about various details that culminate as if to point the way towards a whimsical story just out of reach for your imagination to construct. For instance:
What does the solitary lighthouse keeper remember? Who is the mysterious knight in oversized armor in the guard tower? Can we climb into the Dreamer’s treehouse and paint with her? Can I please get a job in the library of lost books and from where do these books keep mysteriously appearing? The imagery is simply marvelous, both on the page and the worlds to which your mind will be transported.
Though perhaps my favorite aspect of this book is something that my childhood self would have also been overjoyed to look at again and again: the cross-sections of the houses. I LOVED those books that were cross sections of things like submarines or castles or airplanes that showed all the rooms and had little notes about the objects and people in them. This book does something similar and it is magical.
There are 33 adorable and awe-inspiring little homes to enjoy, and I quite enjoyed the later sections where Seiji Yoshida has a “making of” presentation discussing the ideas behind the book and shows us some concept art.
This is a marvelous and creative little art book that is sure to spark the imagination. A wonderful book to spend an afternoon with and turn to again and again. So step inside, there will be dragons!
5/5
Houses With a Story from Japanese illustrator Seiji Yoshida is a delightful collection about unique houses and the people who call them home. This is like poetry as a visual art you can hold in your hands and was given the 2024 American Library Association Awards Batchelder Award for the wonderful translation by Jan Mitsuko Cash. The artwork is supremely serene and reminds me a bit of Studio Ghibli and I love how each house is examined through small blurbs about various details that culminate as if to point the way towards a whimsical story just out of reach for your imagination to construct. For instance:
‘One day after a storm, the lighthouse keeper picks up a stick of driftwood. The flotsam is about as large as a human femur and glows with a pale light when a storm is approach-
ing. The lighthouse keeper, drawn by curiosity, observes the branch during a storm. As though in response to the branch, a faint voice from the lighthouse's cellar stirs memories from two decades ago that the keeper had forgotten…’
What does the solitary lighthouse keeper remember? Who is the mysterious knight in oversized armor in the guard tower? Can we climb into the Dreamer’s treehouse and paint with her? Can I please get a job in the library of lost books and from where do these books keep mysteriously appearing? The imagery is simply marvelous, both on the page and the worlds to which your mind will be transported.
Though perhaps my favorite aspect of this book is something that my childhood self would have also been overjoyed to look at again and again: the cross-sections of the houses. I LOVED those books that were cross sections of things like submarines or castles or airplanes that showed all the rooms and had little notes about the objects and people in them. This book does something similar and it is magical.
There are 33 adorable and awe-inspiring little homes to enjoy, and I quite enjoyed the later sections where Seiji Yoshida has a “making of” presentation discussing the ideas behind the book and shows us some concept art.
This is a marvelous and creative little art book that is sure to spark the imagination. A wonderful book to spend an afternoon with and turn to again and again. So step inside, there will be dragons!
5/5
August 14, 2024
عاشقش شدم رفت 😮💨
از وقتی یادم میاد، هروقت از جلوی یک خونه / ساختمان مسکونی رد میشم که برام شکلش جالبه، سعی میکنم معماری داخلش ، دیزاینش و آدم هایی که داخلش زندگی میکنن رو تصور کنم. اگه فرصت تماشا داشته باشم براشون قصه هم میسازم و خلاصه توی خیالم تبدیل به یه موجود نامریی میشم و سرک میکشم داخل خونه .
درمورد آدمایی که بهشون فکر میکنم هم این عادت رو دارم، و خیلی خیالبافی درباره خونه و اتاق شون و عادتهاشون برام لذت بخشه.
خلاصه خیلی کیف میده این کار بهم.
این کتاب هم اینجوریه که توی یک صفحه یک تصویر کلی از یک خونه رو از نمای بیرون نشون داده و توی صفحه بعد همون خونه رو از نمای داخلی نشون داده که دیزاینش به شغل و شخصیت صاحب خونه خیلی شباهت داره.
چون یجورایی انگار خیالبافی های منو به تصویر کشیده(البته خیلی خیلی بهتر قطعا) این کتابو به شدت دوست دارم و رفت توی دلم.
از وقتی یادم میاد، هروقت از جلوی یک خونه / ساختمان مسکونی رد میشم که برام شکلش جالبه، سعی میکنم معماری داخلش ، دیزاینش و آدم هایی که داخلش زندگی میکنن رو تصور کنم. اگه فرصت تماشا داشته باشم براشون قصه هم میسازم و خلاصه توی خیالم تبدیل به یه موجود نامریی میشم و سرک میکشم داخل خونه .
درمورد آدمایی که بهشون فکر میکنم هم این عادت رو دارم، و خیلی خیالبافی درباره خونه و اتاق شون و عادتهاشون برام لذت بخشه.
خلاصه خیلی کیف میده این کار بهم.
این کتاب هم اینجوریه که توی یک صفحه یک تصویر کلی از یک خونه رو از نمای بیرون نشون داده و توی صفحه بعد همون خونه رو از نمای داخلی نشون داده که دیزاینش به شغل و شخصیت صاحب خونه خیلی شباهت داره.
چون یجورایی انگار خیالبافی های منو به تصویر کشیده(البته خیلی خیلی بهتر قطعا) این کتابو به شدت دوست دارم و رفت توی دلم.
May 7, 2021
Videorecensione: https://youtu.be/jVi_CtPD95M
October 30, 2021
Un libro maravilloso, que quise comprar en cuanto me enteré de su existencia.
El autor pone la ilustración de un inmueble (y en algunos casos algunas habitaciones bastante móviles), su plano y un corte al interior para mostrarnos qué es lo que hay dentro. Casas excéntricas de escenarios de fantasía, históricas, de terror o futuristas. La gran mayoría habitadas por solitarios meditabundos, melancólicos, pícaros o excéntricos.
Dada la nacionalidad del autor no sorprende tampoco que los dibujos tengan un aire “ghibli-esco”.
A mí me encanta todo lo relacionado al espacio habitable, así que unida a la imaginación y al arte del autor viene una pasión por historias de todo tipo. Algunas son para soñar, otras para sentirse curiosos, otras intrigados, otras apesadumbrados y otras más incluso inquietados. Además, en este largo tiempo en el que nos hemos enfrentado más y más al espacio interior y que nos hemos volcado a hacerlo un habitáculo más acorde en un tiempo de ser eremitas forzados el libro se siente como un detalle bonito y nos confronta con el mensaje de que todo puede ser un hogar.
El autor pone la ilustración de un inmueble (y en algunos casos algunas habitaciones bastante móviles), su plano y un corte al interior para mostrarnos qué es lo que hay dentro. Casas excéntricas de escenarios de fantasía, históricas, de terror o futuristas. La gran mayoría habitadas por solitarios meditabundos, melancólicos, pícaros o excéntricos.
Dada la nacionalidad del autor no sorprende tampoco que los dibujos tengan un aire “ghibli-esco”.
A mí me encanta todo lo relacionado al espacio habitable, así que unida a la imaginación y al arte del autor viene una pasión por historias de todo tipo. Algunas son para soñar, otras para sentirse curiosos, otras intrigados, otras apesadumbrados y otras más incluso inquietados. Además, en este largo tiempo en el que nos hemos enfrentado más y más al espacio interior y que nos hemos volcado a hacerlo un habitáculo más acorde en un tiempo de ser eremitas forzados el libro se siente como un detalle bonito y nos confronta con el mensaje de que todo puede ser un hogar.
August 11, 2024
خیلی کتاب دوست داشتیای بود. اینطوریه که یک خونهس و صفحهی بعدش طراحی و چیدمان خونه رو نشون میده. هر کدومشون هم جزئیات خاص خودشون رو دارن که باعث میشه شبیه یک تیکه از داستان باشن. خیلی موقع خوندنش حس خوبی داشتم. به شدت هم تحت تاثیر انیمههای استودیو جیبلی بود.
September 12, 2021
En la introducción del libro el maestro Yoshida cuenta cómo desde niño ha sentido fascinación por los cuentos de hadas, las leyendas, el folklore de diversos países del mundo y por muchas otras historias. En esta maravilla de obra ha puesto toda esa fascinación poniendo especial interés en las casas que podían existir en aquellas historias y creando otras salidas de su propia imaginación o inspiradas por la vida cotidiana. Así pues las ilustraciones pueden ir desde una casa de un faro, una casa en un árbol, la casa de un cartero que vuela en dragón, una casa que podría ser de Noruega y algunos elementos cuya función inicial no era la de ser una casa pero que se han reintentado como un tren o un tanque.
En todas las ilustraciones se van dejando trocitos de información sobre la casa, que siempre viene dibujada y pintada desde el exterior y luego se crea una o varias imágenes sobre su interior. Los textos cuentan la utilidad de las habitaciones, la estructura de algún que otro mueble, o por qué el habitante de la casa vive en ella y cómo. La verdad es que es una auténtica delicia, un precioso viaje por bosques, mares, países, costumbres y vidas hogareñas, algunas más realistas otras más sacadas de un mundo de fantasía. Es muy Ghibli aunque también me recuerda a las películas de Mamoru Hosoda… es que incluso en lo occidental es muy japonés. Es precioso.
En todas las ilustraciones se van dejando trocitos de información sobre la casa, que siempre viene dibujada y pintada desde el exterior y luego se crea una o varias imágenes sobre su interior. Los textos cuentan la utilidad de las habitaciones, la estructura de algún que otro mueble, o por qué el habitante de la casa vive en ella y cómo. La verdad es que es una auténtica delicia, un precioso viaje por bosques, mares, países, costumbres y vidas hogareñas, algunas más realistas otras más sacadas de un mundo de fantasía. Es muy Ghibli aunque también me recuerda a las películas de Mamoru Hosoda… es que incluso en lo occidental es muy japonés. Es precioso.
February 19, 2021
I just want to be clear: If you show me an isometric tiny pixel house, or a cutaway of a submarine with little people inside, a detailed map or maze, or a Where's Wally style busy street scene I WILL stare at it for hours in blissful rapture, I live for this kind of thing. This book is an exceptional example of that.
March 4, 2022
Seiji Yoshida nos enseña las entrañas de un puñado de casas fantásticas. Aunque la colección es un tanto irregular, todos las edificaciones tienen en común una invitación a imaginar su historia. Lo más flojo es quizá el diseño de personajes, ya que en esencia todos están cortados por el mismo patrón: personaje vivo o muerto solitario, a veces acompañado de algún animal fantástico. Se llega a hacer repetitivo, incluso espaciando la lectura. Asimismo, he echado de menos un proyecto, algo sólido detrás que dé coherencia al conjunto. No obstante, como suele pasar con este tipo de libros de arte, los extras son muy agradecidos y elevan la valoración final. En definitiva, un libro de ilustraciones que hará las delicias de quienes, como yo, se haya sentido fascinado desde niño por los hogares ajenos, los tejados, los sótanos, le haya picado la curiosidad una puerta diferente o cualquier elemento arquitectónico singular.
May 12, 2021
Uno dei libri illustrati più belli in assoluto che abbia mai letto.
(E ne ho letti davvero tanti!)
Curatissimo, dettagliatissimo, perfetto per chi ama immaginare i dettagli delle case e le vite di chi le abita.
Dimore fantasiose e ambienti più realistici si mischiano in un insieme magico, che sembra appena uscito da un film Ghibli.
(E ne ho letti davvero tanti!)
Curatissimo, dettagliatissimo, perfetto per chi ama immaginare i dettagli delle case e le vite di chi le abita.
Dimore fantasiose e ambienti più realistici si mischiano in un insieme magico, che sembra appena uscito da un film Ghibli.
February 15, 2025
Imaginative and wonderful!! Fantastic book that gives me nostalgia for drawing my own cross sections of buildings as a kid. I love the way the author/illustrator gives just enough detail to help imagine what the rest of the world must be like around each dwelling!
July 21, 2024
A beautiful book
Read
April 11, 2025beautiful!!! i want to live in so many of these non-existent houses
May 17, 2025
Un capolavoro di grafica di cui non ci si può non innamorare: una collezione di case possibili, raffigurate all'esterno e all'interno, ricche di dettagli e funzioni particolari, che rispecchiano chi le abita. Tra abitazioni improvvisate a dimore antiche, manieri infestati e negozi efficienti fino a stanze sospese o riadattate all'interno di mezzi di trasporto, alberi, rocce... Questo volume è un ponte per la fantasia, uno stimolante trampolino verso un mondo di sogni ad occhi aperti.
In conclusione viene mostrato il modus operandi dell'artista, completo di cenni storici e geografici da cui ha preso ispirazione per i suoi disegni.
In conclusione viene mostrato il modus operandi dell'artista, completo di cenni storici e geografici da cui ha preso ispirazione per i suoi disegni.
March 12, 2023
Nonii, lõpuks on piisavalt rahulik hetk, et Goodreadsi kirjutada. Ma ei saa öelda, et ma oleksin seda raamatut tehniliselt võttes lugenud, aga et see koosneb valdavalt piltidest (ja veel millistest!), siis enam-vähem ikka. Palju palju Ghibli-stiilis maju, millel on põrandaplaan ja väikesed selgitused nagu et mis sorti vannitoad sel ajal olid või et miks elutoas on riisihoidmise kast. Riisikirst? Väga detailne ja kaunis vaadata.
December 27, 2023
This is the most beautiful book I’ve ever had the pleasure to read. Everything about it is so cozy and lovely. I checked it out from my library, but I think I will have to buy it because it’s the kind of book you want to go back to again and again.
Read
October 15, 2023Een ode aan de fantasie en het grafische vak.
link naar hele bespreking
link naar hele bespreking
August 27, 2024
Such a delight! If you grew up enjoying illustrations of homes or floor plans in books, then this book is such a fun one to read as an adult. It’s the perfect sort of book to dip in and out of or to read when you’re not quite sure what to pick up next. Loved it!
April 7, 2025
Cute designs. Each of the buildings felt like a little story
August 31, 2025
Maravilloso. Llena de detalles realistas en su diseño y de semillas para que empieces tu propia historia del personaje que allí vive.
Incluye bocetos con la explicación de la inspiración, y un extra del proceso creativo.
Incluye bocetos con la explicación de la inspiración, y un extra del proceso creativo.
October 12, 2022
Precioso de cabo a rabo. Me ha dado muchas ideas de casas para mis novelas y encima las historias de sus habitantes son de lo más variadas y pintorescas.
July 2, 2021
Questo per me non è stato solo un libro: è stata letteralmente una sezione di terapia.
Sono consapevole della cattiveria con cui ho massacrato i miei neuroni negli scorsi mesi (e di recente dato che sono riuscita a trovare la forza per concludere una recensione), ma prendere in mano questa piccola opera mi ha sorpreso nel profondo. Non solo non riuscivo a smettere di sorridere, ma solo nell’osservare le illustrazioni provavo un senso di frizzante felicità.
Sarà stato il tratto morbido dell’autore, l’uso del colore, l’insieme dell’impaginazione o le descrizioni magistrali, ma vi giuro che per tutto il tempo in cui l’ho tenuto in mano mi sono sentita bene.
Ippocampo… TAKE MY MONEY! (e grazie per pubblicare queste piccole meraviglie)
Il libro delle case straordinarie è un libro illustrato che unisce in modo ottimale brevi racconti di vita quotidiana a planimetrie di abitazioni reali quanto inventate. L’insieme è spettacolare, delicato e originale. In poche righe l’autore è riuscito non solo a rispecchiare la realtà, ma anche a crearne di immaginarie e a far trasparire la giusta atmosfera in tutte le case rappresentate, donando loro una storia e un senso di vissuto. Mi ha fatto venire voglia di viaggiare e di osservare il mondo.
Questo per me è un BIG YES che nessuno deve perdersi. Non ci sarà molto testo scritto, ma vi assicuro che descrizioni e illustrazioni compensano questa mancanza con tanto di bacio dello chef.
Nota: nelle ultime pagine, l’autore ci offre degli extra e ci racconta il processo con cui ha realizzato le varie tavole, con tanto di bozzetti e i vari passaggi della colorazione. Ciò mi ha fatto amare ancora di più questo libro, perché non solo ti cura l’anima, ma può essere un valido aiuto a chi si occupa di grafica o vuole sperimentare nuove tecniche col digitale. Insomma, un’opera d’arte in tutti i sensi.
Sono consapevole della cattiveria con cui ho massacrato i miei neuroni negli scorsi mesi (e di recente dato che sono riuscita a trovare la forza per concludere una recensione), ma prendere in mano questa piccola opera mi ha sorpreso nel profondo. Non solo non riuscivo a smettere di sorridere, ma solo nell’osservare le illustrazioni provavo un senso di frizzante felicità.
Sarà stato il tratto morbido dell’autore, l’uso del colore, l’insieme dell’impaginazione o le descrizioni magistrali, ma vi giuro che per tutto il tempo in cui l’ho tenuto in mano mi sono sentita bene.
Ippocampo… TAKE MY MONEY! (e grazie per pubblicare queste piccole meraviglie)
Il libro delle case straordinarie è un libro illustrato che unisce in modo ottimale brevi racconti di vita quotidiana a planimetrie di abitazioni reali quanto inventate. L’insieme è spettacolare, delicato e originale. In poche righe l’autore è riuscito non solo a rispecchiare la realtà, ma anche a crearne di immaginarie e a far trasparire la giusta atmosfera in tutte le case rappresentate, donando loro una storia e un senso di vissuto. Mi ha fatto venire voglia di viaggiare e di osservare il mondo.
Questo per me è un BIG YES che nessuno deve perdersi. Non ci sarà molto testo scritto, ma vi assicuro che descrizioni e illustrazioni compensano questa mancanza con tanto di bacio dello chef.
Nota: nelle ultime pagine, l’autore ci offre degli extra e ci racconta il processo con cui ha realizzato le varie tavole, con tanto di bozzetti e i vari passaggi della colorazione. Ciò mi ha fatto amare ancora di più questo libro, perché non solo ti cura l’anima, ma può essere un valido aiuto a chi si occupa di grafica o vuole sperimentare nuove tecniche col digitale. Insomma, un’opera d’arte in tutti i sensi.
January 12, 2022
Un piccolo gioiello... Bello sia esteticamente sia nel contenuto... La descrizione delle "case straordinarie" è dettagliata ma nello stesso tempo lascia spazio all'immaginazione in un modo per cui è impossibile non figurarsi esattamente il luogo che di volta in volta viene descritto... E ogni luogo rimanda a sua volta a tanti splendidi racconti, favole e letture. Consigliatissimo!
July 11, 2022
Un libro pieno di sogni.
Ogni pagina ti porta lontano.
Ogni pagina ti porta lontano.
January 29, 2024
What a freaking delight. I wish I had had the patience to look at one house a day and really dream on the story of the house and its inhabitant(s), but it was so beautiful, I couldn't slow down.
November 5, 2024
Che meraviglia 😍
August 18, 2025
Mlle Alice, pouvez-vous nous raconter votre rencontre avec Le Livres des Maisons Extraodinaires ?
"En farfouillant en ligne, sur les sites des libraires, comme souvent, je suis tombée sur cet ouvrage qui m'a tout de suite attirée, puis j'ai eu la chance de pouvoir le feuilleter en librairie, ce qui n'a fait que confirmer mon envie de le lire. Finalement, c'est mon amie Éléonore qui a été assez adorable pour me l'offrir pour mon anniversaire."
Dites-nous en un peu plus sur son histoire...
"L'auteur et illustrateur Seiji Yoshida propose de nous faire découvrir la maison de différents personnages imaginaires, comme celle du botaniste excentrique ou du facteur dompteur de dragons, et de nous laisser aller à inventer nous même leurs histoires..."
Mais que s'est-il exactement passé entre vous ?
"Ce livre est une merveille, un petit bijou d'imagination devant lequel je suis ébahie d'admiration. Je veux vivre dans toutes ces maisons, je veux vire dans ce livre. J'étais certaine que j'allais aimer mais en plus de m'être régalée, je me suis sentie accueillie et enveloppée dans un environnement douillet. Je suis partie à la rencontre de personnages excentriques, souvent solitaires et parfois, quelques pages étaient tristes également, mais chaque découverte était un nouveau voyage pour mon esprit. La vision du monde de Seiji Yoshida m'enchante totalement et j'irais jusqu'à me risquer à dire qu'il faudrait plus d'hommes comme lui pour équilibrer notre planète. J'ai essayé de ne pas dévorer trop vite cet ouvrage, de ne pas tourner les pages trop avidement et de ne pas le terminer trop tôt mais il a bien fallu que ça arrive et là encore, j'ai adoré toutes les dernières pages bonus offertes par l'auteur, le plan de son propre bureau, quelques planches supplémentaires sur l'un des personnages, l'époque et le lieu de chaque création... Un pur régal."
Et comment cela s'est-il fini ?
"Comment je fais moi maintenant pour revenir à la réalité ? C'est bien cruel pour dire la vérité."
http://booksaremywonderland.hautetfor...
"En farfouillant en ligne, sur les sites des libraires, comme souvent, je suis tombée sur cet ouvrage qui m'a tout de suite attirée, puis j'ai eu la chance de pouvoir le feuilleter en librairie, ce qui n'a fait que confirmer mon envie de le lire. Finalement, c'est mon amie Éléonore qui a été assez adorable pour me l'offrir pour mon anniversaire."
Dites-nous en un peu plus sur son histoire...
"L'auteur et illustrateur Seiji Yoshida propose de nous faire découvrir la maison de différents personnages imaginaires, comme celle du botaniste excentrique ou du facteur dompteur de dragons, et de nous laisser aller à inventer nous même leurs histoires..."
Mais que s'est-il exactement passé entre vous ?
"Ce livre est une merveille, un petit bijou d'imagination devant lequel je suis ébahie d'admiration. Je veux vivre dans toutes ces maisons, je veux vire dans ce livre. J'étais certaine que j'allais aimer mais en plus de m'être régalée, je me suis sentie accueillie et enveloppée dans un environnement douillet. Je suis partie à la rencontre de personnages excentriques, souvent solitaires et parfois, quelques pages étaient tristes également, mais chaque découverte était un nouveau voyage pour mon esprit. La vision du monde de Seiji Yoshida m'enchante totalement et j'irais jusqu'à me risquer à dire qu'il faudrait plus d'hommes comme lui pour équilibrer notre planète. J'ai essayé de ne pas dévorer trop vite cet ouvrage, de ne pas tourner les pages trop avidement et de ne pas le terminer trop tôt mais il a bien fallu que ça arrive et là encore, j'ai adoré toutes les dernières pages bonus offertes par l'auteur, le plan de son propre bureau, quelques planches supplémentaires sur l'un des personnages, l'époque et le lieu de chaque création... Un pur régal."
Et comment cela s'est-il fini ?
"Comment je fais moi maintenant pour revenir à la réalité ? C'est bien cruel pour dire la vérité."
http://booksaremywonderland.hautetfor...
July 21, 2024
This is not a novel, but a series of beautiful cross-section plans and illustrations of homes of people which would make amazing settings and characters of novels. When I first watched Kiki's Delivery service, I was entranced at the rendering of a quasi-European culture and buildings through Japanese eyes. This book gave me that same feeling, though some of the houses are in Japanese settings as well.
Infinite library? Astrologer's tower? House of a woman obsessed with dolls? Apartment of a girl in a flooded city? This and so much more! I pored over this book for days, savoring each page and the commentary added by the illustrator. And I know I will do so again.
I found this at Kinokuniya in Japanese, with the art books. At Powell's the English version was shelved in Children's Graphic Novels. It is apparently also available in Spanish. If you are into anime illustration style or read a lot of speculative fiction, this book is bursting with beauty and imagination and absolutely worth your time. I am so glad I bought it - and I am 99.9% a library book person.
Infinite library? Astrologer's tower? House of a woman obsessed with dolls? Apartment of a girl in a flooded city? This and so much more! I pored over this book for days, savoring each page and the commentary added by the illustrator. And I know I will do so again.
I found this at Kinokuniya in Japanese, with the art books. At Powell's the English version was shelved in Children's Graphic Novels. It is apparently also available in Spanish. If you are into anime illustration style or read a lot of speculative fiction, this book is bursting with beauty and imagination and absolutely worth your time. I am so glad I bought it - and I am 99.9% a library book person.
August 21, 2024
This was such a sweet, calming, enjoyable comic. Think Studio Ghibli-esque art with interesting and creative homes, locations, and slight insights into those living in the homes. If you're into drawing and how comics are created, there's even detailed information in the back on how the artist researched and created each home.
August 28, 2024
I absolutely loved this book. Already planning on making it into a library program. Would be amazing to reference in an art class or creative writing class, even an architect would find it an enjoyable title.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2025
Wat een fantastisch informatief boek met een creative twist: over 30 huizen en hun bijzondere bewoners die misschien wel of niet bestaan. Je blijft bladeren, lezen en ontdekken. Echt een boek om veel en vooral breed aan te raden. Tipje voor de schoolbieb!
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