A mix of whimsical and dark--this beautifully illustrated book emphasizes the importance of chasing one's dreams and the sacrifice it may entail. The story speaks to deeper things, but also exposes culture of Japan and exquisite illustration which mirrors this.

I bought this book because I was so taken with the illustrations and the story (which is remarkably deep and poignant). Although children will not get the deeper meaning, oh the beautiful poem at the end is in chinese (a friend of mine translated it)sums up the feeling of the book and it certainly will strike a chord in adults.

A poignant story, gorgeous artwork, and a philosophical take on aesthetic experience -- what more can be wanted?

یکی از عالی ترین کتابهای تصویری داستانی بود که تا الان خودم.. و چه تصویرگری ای داره این کتاب. هر کدوم از صفحه ها خودش یه تابلو هست.. و البته پیام داستان هم بسیار عرفانی و قشنگ بود.

کتاب کوچیک ولی لذت بخشی که حس لطافتش تا ساعت ها همراه آدم میمونه.

3.4

Readers have said this is a picture book for kids, but I believe it is more appropriate for adults. The art is beautiful and evocative, especially the transformation from nature to man and then later from man to nature. And it never hurts to be reminded that we are part of the natural world and that we need to appreciate the beauty around us as each and every day.

The Japanese script, a poem, is translated at the end of the book.

Breathtaking illustrations, but the story was rather sad.

A delightful picture book.

The Painter and The Wild swans, Claude Clément (1946)
Teiji is a Japanese artist unequaled in his ability to capture the glory of nature. But one day while painting, he's seized by the beauty of a flock of white swans; his own work seems meaningless in comparison. He buys a boat and follows the birds to Siberia, but it capsizes. Teiji freezes to death. He sees the swans for the last time and realizes that seeing and experiencing their beauty matters more than painting them. Finally, Teiji turns into a swan and flies off with the flock. Children will surely respond to this exotic tale. But most remarkable of all is the artwork: renderings that contain a rich blend of pathos and beauty that perfectly portrays Teiji's consuming obsession. In each one, the ocean, the mountaintops, the clouds or Teiji himself is being transformed into the graceful white birds.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز هفتم ماه اکتبر سال 1992 میلادی
عنوان: نقاش و قوهای وحشی؛ نوشته: کلود کلمان؛ تصویرگر: فردریک کلمان؛ مترجم: شهلا سهیل؛ ویراستار: هرمز ریاحی؛ مشخصات نشر: تهران، نشر قطره، 1370، در 25 ص، مصور رنگی، موضوع: داستانهای تخیلی و فانتزی، داستان قوها از نویسندگان فرانسوی - سده 20 م
عنوان: نقاش و قوهای وحشی؛ نوشته: کلود کلمان؛ تصویرگر: فردریک کلمان؛ مترجم: شباب حسامی؛ مشخصات نشر: تهران، هدایت الهی، 1381، در 24 ص، اندازه 5/22 در 5/15 س.م، شابک: 9649311394 ؛
زیبایی راستین نایاب و دور از دسترس است. حقیقت زیبا، دست یافتنی نیست، بلکه خودش می‌یابد، و با خودش می‌برد. حقیقت فرّار است، و هرگز در یکجا باقی نمی‌ماند. اگر برای دمی هم، او را ببینی و تجربه‌ اش کنی، این به تمام زندگی می‌ارزد، و ارزش مردن را دارد. پس از دیدن زیبایی راستین، بدون آن زیستن، زندگی نیست و پس از دیدن آن زیبایی، مردن، مردن نیست. ا. شربیانی

Reading the accolades beforehand built this up too much. The art is good. The story is a little hard to believe. Not the magic part. The idea that either he'd never seen a flock of swans before or else just suddenly decided they were the most beautiful thing in the world.

Great pictures, great book.

I enjoyed learning about the photographer Teiji Saga, but this story wasn't actually very engaging. Beautiful art, but that's about all I can say.