Publication
New York : Vertical, Inc., c2006.
Call number
Graphic / Tezuk
ISBN
1932234578 / 9781932234572
Original publication date
1974
Collections
CSS Library Notes
Buddha
Physical description
411 p.; 21 cm
Awards
Eisner Award (Nominee — 2004)
Description
This second volume of the fictional biography of Siddhartha, Gautama Buddha, covers his upbringing and early manhood. Unhappy with the injustice of the caste system, the prince leaves his life of luxury to find a way to fight it. He marries and fathers a child, but unable to live in his luxurious palace, he cuts off his hair and departs into the wilderness to become a monk.
Language
Original language
Japanese
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User reviews
LibraryThing member Arctic-Stranger
Well, we finally get to the young Buddha, and at this juncture he is not very likable. Of course his father is worse. Tezuka is still setting up the story, and you may find yourself getting a little impatient, but take it all one page at a time. Reading this is part of the experience.
LibraryThing member dmcolon
Volume 1 was a really interesting start to the series and volume 2 was even better. The story turns to the early life of the Buddha and his days as a young prince. As someone not well versed in Buddhism, I often find it difficult to tell the difference between Tezuka's artistic license and
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historical events, but reading the series makes me want to find out more about Siddhartha's life. One needs to understand this when picking up the series. As I've said in my review of the first volume, however, I don't see this as a major obstacle to appreciating the books. Show Less
LibraryThing member stephmo
In Osamu Tezuka's second volume, our main character is now a fully thinking, speaking and aware of his destiny young man. Well, aware of his destiny as seen through the eyes of those around him. Siddhartha's father still believes in the narrow view of the prophecy - and wishes to groom him simply
This pace in this volume is quick, but dense. Several key moments and characters are introduced that are promised more significant encounters later. Even more impressive are the small pockets of Buddhist philosophy that are introduced throughout the story without drawing attention to the lessons. While this book is chiefly about suffering, Tezuka manages to sneak in all sorts of additional bits of doctrine. Demonstrating the nature of time as a construct and the universe as all eternal and now through casual mentions of modern electronics in an ancient story is one of the more clever constructs.
His drawings, as usual, are amazing. The manga look is ever present, as are the intricate line-drawings that are simply beautiful illustration.
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to be a powerful king. As a sickly child easily bored by royal pursuits and prone to questioning the status quo of the caste system, Siddartha's adolescence is a rocky one. He is not even close to the vision of meditative calm Buddha in this volume - he is an argumentative teen fighting his way towards his true destiny while others race towards revenge tied equally to that destiny. Tezuka gives us a young Buddha that is very human.This pace in this volume is quick, but dense. Several key moments and characters are introduced that are promised more significant encounters later. Even more impressive are the small pockets of Buddhist philosophy that are introduced throughout the story without drawing attention to the lessons. While this book is chiefly about suffering, Tezuka manages to sneak in all sorts of additional bits of doctrine. Demonstrating the nature of time as a construct and the universe as all eternal and now through casual mentions of modern electronics in an ancient story is one of the more clever constructs.
His drawings, as usual, are amazing. The manga look is ever present, as are the intricate line-drawings that are simply beautiful illustration.
Show Less
LibraryThing member leandrod
A lighthearted, sweet & sour biography of Siddharta Gautuma. Probably more useful for ðose wiþ already some knowledge of him, as it does noþing at all to separate fact, legend & fiction.
LibraryThing member thisisstephenbetts
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 I could have done with a few fewer of the Asterixy jokes, but I
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can deal. Really looking forward to all the remaining volumes. Show Less