Carnet de Voyage

Carnet de Voyage is a travel diary and sketchbook chronicling Craig Thompson's three-month journey through Europe and Morocco in 2004. The book consists of Thompson's ink drawings and personal reflections captured in real-time during his travels. Thompson documents his experiences as both a touring author promoting his graphic novel Blankets and a solo traveler exploring new territories. His illustrations range from quick street sketches to detailed architectural studies, accompanied by handwritten observations about the places and people he encounters. The narrative follows Thompson through France, Barcelona, the Alps, and Morocco, recording his physical and emotional state throughout the journey. His drawings capture everything from train stations and cafes to markets and mountains, along with portraits of locals and fellow travelers. The work stands as a meditation on solitude, cultural displacement, and the act of processing experiences through art. Through its unfiltered, diary-style format, the book explores themes of isolation and connection while traveling alone in foreign lands.

Readers describe this travel diary as more raw and personal than Thompson's other works, with unpolished sketches and day-to-day observations from his book tour through Europe and Morocco. Readers appreciated: - Intimate glimpses into Thompson's thoughts and creative process - The loose, spontaneous art style - Cultural observations and interactions with locals - Mix of both joyful and difficult moments during solo travel Common criticisms: - Lack of narrative structure - Too much focus on physical ailments and complaints - Some found it self-indulgent or melancholy in tone - Not enough depth compared to his other books Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (4,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (40+ reviews) One reader noted: "Like reading someone's private sketchbook - sometimes beautiful, sometimes mundane." Another wrote: "The artwork carries the book, but the storytelling feels scattered and incomplete." Several reviews mentioned this works better as a companion piece to "Blankets" rather than a standalone work.

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🌏 Craig Thompson spent three months traveling through Morocco, Barcelona, and the French Alps while creating this intimate travel diary, sketching and writing in real-time during his journey. ✏️ Unlike Thompson's other graphic novels, Carnet de Voyage was drawn entirely on location, often in challenging conditions like crowded markets, moving trains, and cramped hotel rooms. 🎨 The book was created during a break from working on his acclaimed graphic novel "Blankets," and Thompson was simultaneously dealing with severe back pain throughout the journey. 🗺️ The Arabic script featured in the book was learned and practiced by Thompson during his travels, as he attempted to understand and connect with the local culture in Morocco. 📖 Each copy of the first edition included a belly band made from traditional Moroccan fabric patterns, reflecting the authentic cultural elements Thompson encountered during his travels.