Le vieux qui lisait des romans d’amour, Luis Sepúlveda’s masterpiece, illustrated by Joanna Concejo

The millions of readers who have read this novel by Luis Sepúlveda are left with a vivid memory of a perfectly told story. Just enough words to describe the life of Antonio José Bolívar Proaño, an old man seasoned by the dangers of the jungle, a stumbling reader despite his age, but passionate nonetheless. ‘His novels spoke of love with words so beautiful that, at times, they made him forget the barbarity of men.’ But now the recklessness and stupidity of a few gringos are forcing him to close his books and go hunting – reluctantly – for a wild animal that is prowling not far from the village…

When Joanna Concejo read this novel, she was left with a strong impression of the jungle, the river, and the rain that sticks to the skin and the soul. And on this intensely green and sodden canvas, a constellation of bodies and objects, books and crabs, a blue raincoat and calloused hands, a mayor so fat and rude that he doesn’t fit in the frame. So many visions that she transcribes in coloured pencils, with breathtaking meticulousness. And which she completes with the gaze of a wild animal, which reveals much more love and compassion than can be found in the humans wandering through this jungle.

A cult text, with over 4,500,000 copies sold in France and translated worldwide.  A true work of art, with over 200 illustrated pages. A story for readers aged 17 to 177, captivating in its simplicity but driven by the power of major themes such as love and our relationship with life. All beautifully crafted into an exquisite book-object.

Illustrated novel, hardcover with dust jacket, 268 pages in colour, 21 x 15 cm, 25€