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bravorock
Dec 16, 2015bravorock rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Illustrator: Strzelecki makes use of a monochromatic color scheme. If his illustrations were photographs they would give you the impression he used black and white film and then developed the pictures using a blue/grey tint. The total effect prevents the reader from ever feeling a sense of relief from the day after day monotonous tone of gloom and decay. The world he creates is expectedly completely devoid of all happiness and all hope. Strzelecki has two other talents behind his technique. The first is his discerning ability to capture what part of an entire scene is just enough to relay the message of the author. In many of his illustrations the entire background is left out and only the character’s action or inaction is portrayed. In some instances the field in view perspective is drawn in so close, only half of a hand that is covering a face is all that can be distinguished. The second talent Strzelecki possess and capitalizes on is his ability to draw the human face with such accuracy, everyone’s furrowed brow, sunken cheeks and sagging skin creates a more realistic picture than my mind’s eye even could. Finally, a few of the most effective illustrations are located on pages 39, 50, and 68. The first two are his portrayals of dead bodies, one naked hanging off a cart, the other of a woman found in the street. Page 68 illustration is the most gruesome depiction of what a person would look like after being set on fire after being caught trying to escape.