Rising sales of e-books have some wondering about the future of physical books. However, the popularity of illustrated novels suggests paper books are here to stay.
In Thailand, picture books are popular and the profession of illustrator remains respected in society. One prominent illustrator is 24-year-old Muenfan "Pink" Sapanake, a graduate of Silpakorn University. Muenfan has been commissioned to draw illustrations for many kid's books, one of which, Dek Noy Kab Yak Yai (A Little Child With An Ogre) won Best Children's Book from the Child Foundation in 2010. Her latest work was the illustrations for Fan Tid Peek Kong Pli Bai, a translated version of a famous South Korean book The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly. The book was written by Hwang Sun-mi and translated by SEA Write Award-winner Ngarmphan Vejjajiva. It was published by Post Books and released last week. Muenfan chats with Life about books that help readers understand, feel and visualise stories.
Which book is on your bedside table now?
Beautiful Solitude by Jimmy Liao, a famous Taiwanese illustrator. The book was translated into Thai under the title of Kwarm Ngarm Bone Kwarm Ngao by Anurak Kitpaiboontavee. The book focuses on a cancer patient. The character’s melancholy and tragic beauty are told through both words and simple yet captivating illustrations. It is easy to paint the beauty, yet Liao can show us the beautiful side of sadness.
Are there any books you highly recommend?
You will not believe what I am about to say. The book is The Black Cat — a renowned short story by Edgar Allan Poe. It’s right at the top of the macabre genre list and I consider myself a big fan of such books. Although when I read it, the words fall short and don’t give me the spine-chilling effect I expect, the illustrations in this book belong to the masterclass.
Can you recommend any books that inspire you as an illustrator?
Illustrators are often inspired by paintings. Yet book illustrators are unique because our works must relate to the written story. Our images cannot stand alone and the image will be better communicated with text. As an illustrator, I seek inspiration from picture books by Mark Ryden. Of course, I also read books. I am a big fan of thrillers, mysteries and macabre stories. I love books that enable readers to imagine how objects and characters look alike. Writers must be able to paint pictures with words like Lewis Carroll did in Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland. I love the movie version of this story but it is even better as a book because the words and prose inspire us to imagine without limitation. I’m also inspired by A Series Of Unfortunate Events, a series of 13 books written by Lemony Snicket, with superb illustrations by Brett Helquist. Snicket wrote macabre stories through the point of view of a story teller. Readers can feel and understand and yet be able to imagine scenes, objects and how characters should look.
What is your all-time favourite book?
That epic fantasy Lord Of The Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien. This trilogy has everything. It is imaginative, entertaining, macabre and joyful. The wonderful thing about this trilogy is readers are immersed into the story and feel both joy and fear with all those ogres, dwarfs and hobbits!
E-books or dead trees?
Reading e-books is a kind of lifestyle for my generation. Yet I am quite choosy about my reading. I read electronic books, websites and social media when I want information such as news updates. But I only pick up physical books when I want to read novels, literature and picture books. I always compare e-books to eating food without having a sense of smell. Yes, you are chewing something and your stomach is full. Yet, have you eaten that food in an aesthetic sense?
