THE GIGANTIC BEARD THAT WAS EVIL- A REVIEW
My first impression of the novel was that it might be a story book for the young children but as I went over the pages of the book, I found how beautifully the author has expressed very deep and serious themes in a very light manner. It seems that the author’s purpose is to mock a social organization that is prone to be a victim of evil. He presents a simple story but with deeper meanings that rips off the veil from the hidden evil face of our social behaviours and norms prevailing in society. I give all credit to the author for writing such an exciting story that has set a new trend in graphic novels. I feel that the writer has done justice with the plot, characters, scenes and themes of the novel. The artwork is very apt and beautiful. The lines are crisp but have a great impact on the readers.
The novel opens with a description of an island, where everything is in order and well arranged. Dave is the central character of the story who represents the common man in the society. All of sudden the hair sprouts into a long beard. His beard keeps on growing and becomes uncontrollable. The author here wants to mention that once evil overcomes a person or any place, then no one can control it. People start feeling disgusted and avoid Dave. The author presents a satirical situation that reflects our negative behaviour towards the people who suffer from any ailment.
The growing beard damages everything that comes in its way. There is panic in the city and the whole peace and order disappears. The writer here wants the reader to realize how the calmness can be turned into horror when evil shows its colours. Finally, Dave is tied from its beard with balloons and he flies up towards an unknown destination.
Dave becomes the story of the past but this incident changes the life on the island. Disarray and disorganization make a permanent space in their lives. Their hairstyles, life pattern and even building styles change. This shows how an ugly incident can change the patterns of life in a society.
The best part of the novel is the fantastic use of symbolism by the author. I feel that the beard symbolizes anarchy, chaos and disorder which remains hidden inside us. ‘The job of the skin is to keep it in all, And never let anything show.’ It means that disorder and chaos is always there hidden under the sheet before it comes out. In my opinion, the beard symbolizes the inherent evil, but it was a mockery as the people on the island demand this evil to be thrown away, without realizing that the evil resides inside of every individual.
It gives an important lesson of life that we must keep the evil inside us under control as if it comes out then it can take over everything and ruin the peace of our life.
Overall the author has maintained interest in the readers throughout the story. I strongly recommend all people to read this novel as early as they can.
