Gentleman Jim

A graphic novel classic from one of the world's best-known cartoonists, Gentleman Jim is the story of Jim Bloggs, an imaginative toilet cleaner. Dissatisfied with his station in life, Jim devotes his time to envisioning a world beyond it. His walls are lined with books like Out in the Silver West, The Boys Book of Pirates and Executive Opportunities, which provide fodder for his ruminations on career change. Encouraged by his wife, also eager for more adventure in her life, Jim sets out to bring these dreams to fruition by accumulating accoutrements, only to discover that the life of an executive, an artist or a cowboy is more complicated and costly than it appears.Jim's childlike understanding of the world that surrounds him is enhanced by Raymond Briggs' subtle and inventive illustrations. Fantasies are portrayed as organic clouds, and myopic Jim is drawn smaller and softer than the policemen and bureaucrats interested in impeding his search for adventure. As he infringes more seriously on the law, the city workers and their speech boxes become increasingly angular, much like the rigid rules restricting his quest. With this playful style, Briggs transforms common feelings of inadequacy into an endearing experience that speaks across generations.This is a new edition of the classic novel originally published in 1980.Ages 14 and upBriggs, Raymond is the author of 'Gentleman Jim', published 2008 under ISBN 9781897299364 and ISBN 1897299362.