Posts: 836 From: South East, UK Registered: Apr 2008
posted 05-23-2009 05:50 PM
I was at a signing event in London today (not a space event, more focused around films, graphic novels, etc.), there was a guy there called Nick Abadzis who has produced a graphic novel based on the experiences of Laika.
The book seems to have had some good reviews so I picked up a copy which the author signed for me and even did a little sketch of Laika inside as well which looks pretty cool.
Anyway I thought I'd mention the book for those that haven't come across it before.
cspg Member
Posts: 6275 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
posted 05-23-2009 11:33 PM
From the French publisher:*
The real and poignant story of the first living creature sent into space: the dog Laika. A scientific and historical saga that reveals several stories: the chief engineer of the Soviet program, the space race between the USA and the USSR, and that of Laika, of course, stray dog who escapes euthanasia that to be a guinea pig sacrificed on the altar of human success and, ultimately, a symbol of progress. A story told with great subtlety and greater historical accuracy.
You can flip through the first 17 pages (of the French version - 208 pages) here.
* I don't know if the book was originally published in French or English, then translated.
FFrench Member
Posts: 3222 From: San Diego Registered: Feb 2002
posted 12-25-2009 10:59 PM
Received a copy of this for Christmas and read it in one sitting. Very good, in the way it captures Soviet-era culture, is graphically very well done, and very moving to read. I'd recommend it.
Gilbert Member
Posts: 1420 From: Carrollton, GA USA Registered: Jan 2003
posted 01-01-2010 06:18 PM
I purchased this book a couple of years ago. I enjoyed reading it and the graphic novel approach is especially fitting for the topic.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 47255 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-26-2021 03:09 PM
This graphic novel has now been adapted into a VR animation short, Variety reports.
British filmmaker Asif Kapadia, Oscar winner for "Amy," was due to adapt Nick Abadzis' 2007 graphic novel "Laika" as an animated film before it finally saw fruition as a VR experience.
Kapadia came across the novel, based on the true story of a Moscow stray mongrel who was sent into orbit by Russia on Sputnik 2 in 1957, more than five years ago. He read it to his children as a bedtime story and decided to adapt it as an animated film that they could watch. He optioned the novel but as he grew busy with other projects, the option lapsed.
In 2019, Kapadia was approached with the idea for a VR short to be shown at the BFI London Film Festival by event organizers along with the StoryFutures Academy, the U.K.'s National Centre for Immersive Storytelling, run by the National Film and Television School, and Royal Holloway, University of London. Kapadia trawled his bookshelves for ideas and came across "Laika" again. Abadzis agreed and the project was on.
randy Member
Posts: 2496 From: West Jordan, Utah USA Registered: Dec 1999
posted 10-26-2021 04:32 PM
Based on the reviews of this by cS members, I just purchased a copy.
posted 05-23-2009 05:50 PM
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