Publication
New York, N.Y. : Vertical, c2003.
Call number
Graphic / Tezuk
ISBN
1932234438 / 9781932234435
Original publication date
2006
Collections
CSS Library Notes
Buddha
Physical description
400 p.; 21 cm
Awards
Eisner Award (Nominee — 2004)
Description
The first volume of Tesuka Osamu's fictional biography of Siddhartha, Gautama Buddha. Introduces Chapra, a slave boy who tries to escape his fate; Chapra's slave mother, who sticks by him no matter what; Tatta, a crazed wild child pariah who communes with animals; and Naradatta, a monk attempting to decipher strange portents of the Buddha's birth.
Language
Original language
Japanese
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User reviews
LibraryThing member melissarecords
Enthralling tale of Buddha's life. I couldn't wait to read each of the volumes in this series. There's just no other manga author who can compare to Tezuka's artistry. The style. The humor (there's a manga dig in nearly every book). The sweeping epic. While there were a number of incidental
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storylines that seemed to peter out or drop off (or just were not important to the story), the whole thing manages to hold together. Wow. Show Less
LibraryThing member GraceZ
I never read comics or manga or however we call all of this stuff, except for Asterix and Tintin. So it was weird to me to read it. I would sit down and read big chunks of it at once, and then go days without thinking of it. So the most interesting part for me was the reading habits, which I would
Anyway, it was interesting, but not a great amazing book. I was curious about comics, and this was leant to me by someone in the comics industry as one I might enjoy. It's fair to say that I did. Furthermore, it was about a subject I know extremely little about, and drove me to do some light background reading, so I appreciate that aspect of it. I would recommend this as light reading.
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need to develop in order to continue reading this sort of stuff.Anyway, it was interesting, but not a great amazing book. I was curious about comics, and this was leant to me by someone in the comics industry as one I might enjoy. It's fair to say that I did. Furthermore, it was about a subject I know extremely little about, and drove me to do some light background reading, so I appreciate that aspect of it. I would recommend this as light reading.
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LibraryThing member TillieChan
This entire series is great. Osamu Tezuka makes learning fun by adding his own witty characters to the heart felt traditional story of Buddha and how Buddhism began. His beautiful drawings give you a vivid look at the story and make you just want to cry. Every book in the series is as great and
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there all equal. Show Less
LibraryThing member dmcolon
Reading through some of the other reviews of Osamu Tezuka's Buddha, it's clear that there's no real consensus on this series. As history, I have no doubt that Tezuka has taken some liberties with the narrative of the Buddha's life. But as a piece of writing, however, this is an excellent retelling
There will be some people for whom the historical inaccuracies will get in the way of their enjoyment of the book. I would remind those people, however, that some of the most beloved works of literature are themselves gross distortions of history. Shakespeare's "history" plays border on fabrication, Mallory's Mort Darthur isn't exactly accurate and in fact literary representations of historical events have always taken a good deal of license with their subject matter. Yet somehow, there are a group of literary snobs who won't accept contemporary historical fiction and turn up their noses at all contemporary retellings of history. They have no apparent problem with their beloved cannon doing the same, but if contemporary authors do it, it's an outrage. Buddha is a literary retelling of the life of the Buddha and as such, it is most definitively not sold as nor intended to be a historical retelling of his life. It's an enjoyable introduction to this topic and has undoubtedly inspired lots of people to learn more about the life of its subject.
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of the life of the Buddha. In the first volume, the reader is given a general overview of some of the main characters and the background story. The Buddha himself only makes an appearance late in the book and even then, he's a baby. There are several narrative paths all of which converge by the end. The narrative flows smoothly and Tezuka does a great job creating between the reader and the several characters and even manages to make some of the more unappealing people rather nuanced and sympathetic.There will be some people for whom the historical inaccuracies will get in the way of their enjoyment of the book. I would remind those people, however, that some of the most beloved works of literature are themselves gross distortions of history. Shakespeare's "history" plays border on fabrication, Mallory's Mort Darthur isn't exactly accurate and in fact literary representations of historical events have always taken a good deal of license with their subject matter. Yet somehow, there are a group of literary snobs who won't accept contemporary historical fiction and turn up their noses at all contemporary retellings of history. They have no apparent problem with their beloved cannon doing the same, but if contemporary authors do it, it's an outrage. Buddha is a literary retelling of the life of the Buddha and as such, it is most definitively not sold as nor intended to be a historical retelling of his life. It's an enjoyable introduction to this topic and has undoubtedly inspired lots of people to learn more about the life of its subject.
Show Less
LibraryThing member stephmo
The first in Osamu Tezuka's epic eight-volume manga series.
First things first, this is not a historic reproduction done in comic form. If one is looking for a serious study of Buddhism, this is probably not the place to start. That being said, if one wants to complain about the lack of on-point
Ostensibly, this is the first volume of the story of Shiddhartha, the Gautama Buddha. Seeing as how he's not even born until page 250/400 and probably appears on about 5 pages worth of those 400, we don't get a huge introduction outside of knowing that Shiddhartha is destined for great things.
Volume one concentrates mostly on the story of Chapra and Tatta - a slave and pariah. Chapra desperately wants to break free of his slave caste and Tatta is able to possess animals. They live outside of Kapilavastu, which today is considered a Holy site for Buddhists (its exact location is under some dispute).
While the Buddha does not figure prominently into the first book, certain truths are skillfully woven throughout this volume. If nothing, this is a searing indictment on the evils of the caste system put in pace thousands of years ago. Even more brilliantly done is the enduring theme that all life is sacred no matter how insignificant it may seem as it is part of a larger design.
Tezuka's drawings run the gambit. There's definitely the "traditional" manga feel in the black and white drawings. At the same time, the artistry in some of the epic panels is undeniable; the locust scenes are well-worth a pause.
First things first, this is not a historic reproduction done in comic form. If one is looking for a serious study of Buddhism, this is probably not the place to start. That being said, if one wants to complain about the lack of on-point
Show More
theological exactness in a manga depiction of the Buddha's life, one should get familiar with the terms "broad strokes" and "chill." Ostensibly, this is the first volume of the story of Shiddhartha, the Gautama Buddha. Seeing as how he's not even born until page 250/400 and probably appears on about 5 pages worth of those 400, we don't get a huge introduction outside of knowing that Shiddhartha is destined for great things.
Volume one concentrates mostly on the story of Chapra and Tatta - a slave and pariah. Chapra desperately wants to break free of his slave caste and Tatta is able to possess animals. They live outside of Kapilavastu, which today is considered a Holy site for Buddhists (its exact location is under some dispute).
While the Buddha does not figure prominently into the first book, certain truths are skillfully woven throughout this volume. If nothing, this is a searing indictment on the evils of the caste system put in pace thousands of years ago. Even more brilliantly done is the enduring theme that all life is sacred no matter how insignificant it may seem as it is part of a larger design.
Tezuka's drawings run the gambit. There's definitely the "traditional" manga feel in the black and white drawings. At the same time, the artistry in some of the epic panels is undeniable; the locust scenes are well-worth a pause.
Show Less
LibraryThing member martyr13
Fun book, but I don't really like the anachronistic humor.
LibraryThing member HeikeM
This review is meant for the whole series.
Buddha is not at all what I expected. It is a hugely enjoyable biography of Buddha, yes, but it is also a fun ride through countries, adventures, wars, romances, landscapes and anything else life could possibly include. Even though it is quite a serious
Buddha is not at all what I expected. It is a hugely enjoyable biography of Buddha, yes, but it is also a fun ride through countries, adventures, wars, romances, landscapes and anything else life could possibly include. Even though it is quite a serious
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theme the book never stops being funny in a warm and human way. Little sparkles now and then, for example when a character in connection with werewolves mentions movies (I am sure they didn't have them in Buddha's time), bring the book into our century. It is not a deeply religious book, it doesn't really matter if you are or not, it is just a brilliant retelling of a age-old story. The art of course is absolutely wonderful, Tezuka is not called the *Godfather of Manga* in vain - beautiful landscapes and although slightly *cartoony* the figures are very real. This first volume brings us up to the birth of Buddha, but as becomes clear in the following books, the story lines of other characters are just as important. I love this series, a lot of the content is known to me but it is wonderful to read it all from this amazing writer and artist's point of view. Show Less
LibraryThing member edspicer
It is horrific and mystical. It has love, death, and a lot of adventure.
5Q, 5P; Cover Art: Awesome!
This book is best suited for highschoolers and adults.
It was selected because it just looked interesting.
Grade (of reviewer): 11th
(MK-AHS-NC)
5Q, 5P; Cover Art: Awesome!
This book is best suited for highschoolers and adults.
It was selected because it just looked interesting.
Grade (of reviewer): 11th
(MK-AHS-NC)
LibraryThing member librarybrandy
The beginning of a great series. (Full review to come after volume 8.)
LibraryThing member JWarren42
Absolute genius work by the godfather of manga. Just enough "Astro Boy" to keep sci fi otaku interested in a historical fiction about the birth of the Gautama Buddha, Siddhartha. Much like Shanower's "The Bronze Age" will do later, Tezuka humanizes these historical figures so that they aren't so
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stiff. I love that they use anachronistic language, as well (like calling the mother figure "moms"). HIGHLY recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member Arctic-Stranger
You know this series is going places beyond the conventional when the Buddha does not even show up until the end of the first volume.
this is not your conventional religious biography ... not by a long shot. Tezuka brings out the best of Manga to tell the story, with great leisure, of
this is not your conventional religious biography ... not by a long shot. Tezuka brings out the best of Manga to tell the story, with great leisure, of
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enlightenment. If you are looking for a "Buddha for Beginners" book, this is not the place to start, but if you want good manga, and a great story, dive in! Show Less
LibraryThing member leandrod
Very interesting, raises many questions.
LibraryThing member CassandraT
I'm not quite sure who I was reading about for most of this book. Siddhartha is born and we learn about the castes and some trials and tribulations of a misguided monk, a boy who can exchange spirits with animals, a slave woman and her ambitious slave son. I like the Manga aspects - that's 4 stars.
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But the story wasn't much more than 3 stars. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
This was an interesting graphic novel. It tells the story of the Siddhartha in a manga format. I haven't read Siddhartha since high school so I am not sure how accurate it is, but Tezuka has chosen to try and infuse some humor into the beginning of the story which I can't decide if it's a good
Show More
think cause it keeps the story from getting too heavy or if it might be slightly disrespectful (he cameos himself and a character from Astroboy.) Truthfully I am not sure if the reason I wasn't into this book was cause I wasn't in the mood for it and had a hard time getting into it or because I actually just don't like the way he tries to infuse humor. I will have to eventually give the next volume a try. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
This was an interesting graphic novel. It tells the story of the Siddhartha in a manga format. I haven't read Siddhartha since high school so I am not sure how accurate it is, but Tezuka has chosen to try and infuse some humor into the beginning of the story which I can't decide if it's a good
Show More
think cause it keeps the story from getting too heavy or if it might be slightly disrespectful (he cameos himself and a character from Astroboy.) Truthfully I am not sure if the reason I wasn't into this book was cause I wasn't in the mood for it and had a hard time getting into it or because I actually just don't like the way he tries to infuse humor. I will have to eventually give the next volume a try. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
This was an interesting graphic novel. It tells the story of the Siddhartha in a manga format. I haven't read Siddhartha since high school so I am not sure how accurate it is, but Tezuka has chosen to try and infuse some humor into the beginning of the story which I can't decide if it's a good
Show More
think cause it keeps the story from getting too heavy or if it might be slightly disrespectful (he cameos himself and a character from Astroboy.) Truthfully I am not sure if the reason I wasn't into this book was cause I wasn't in the mood for it and had a hard time getting into it or because I actually just don't like the way he tries to infuse humor. I will have to eventually give the next volume a try. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
This was an interesting graphic novel. It tells the story of the Siddhartha in a manga format. I haven't read Siddhartha since high school so I am not sure how accurate it is, but Tezuka has chosen to try and infuse some humor into the beginning of the story which I can't decide if it's a good
Show More
think cause it keeps the story from getting too heavy or if it might be slightly disrespectful (he cameos himself and a character from Astroboy.) Truthfully I am not sure if the reason I wasn't into this book was cause I wasn't in the mood for it and had a hard time getting into it or because I actually just don't like the way he tries to infuse humor. I will have to eventually give the next volume a try. Show Less
LibraryThing member beanbrarian
Unexpected! An adventurous twist on the Buddha story. I had to turn off my brain a few chapters in and surrender to Tezuka's storytelling!
LibraryThing member octothorp
Many lovely pages, folded in with cartoonish gags.
LibraryThing member Jazz1987
A really good manga by Osamu Tezuka. It was educational, historical, as well as fun cartoon-like drawing. I liked the cameo of the doctor from Astro Boy too!
LibraryThing member Ghost_Boy
Possibly the best of Tezuka's many many many works. Oddly enough I learned a ton about Buddha and Buddhism via this manga. The first volume is the slowest if you ask me because it's the only one where the title character isn't the main character until the end. This volume is important though
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because it about the caste system. The rest of the series only gets better. With that aside, the art in this and all Tezuka's works is breathtaking. I should note that Tezuka is mostly known for Astro Boy, but this isn't kid friendly. This book was during his dark years for a reason. Plus there is a ton of nudity in this, no sex. Overall I HIGHLY recommend this series (all 8 volumes). It's a great into to Buddhism and history. Show Less
LibraryThing member thisisstephenbetts
Not quite sure of the date, reusing my comments from volume 2... Excellent. Fascinating, beautiful. I can imagine the cartoony characters might take a little getting used to, particularly with the juxtaposition with the beautiful, beautiful detailed backgrounds. But, hey, get used to it. Personally
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I could have done with a few fewer of the Asterixy jokes, but I can deal. Really looking forward to all the remaining volumes. Show Less