5.0 out of 5 stars Making An Enigmatic Character More Human

R.K. · April 23, 2012

What do we know about Goliath of Gath? Not that much if you'd asked Scottish cartoonist Tom Gauld, and with his new graphic novel, Goliath, from Drawn & Quarterly, he attempts to expand a bit on the story of this giant. Those familiar with the Bible story of Goliath will know him as a ruthless pagan, hell bent on blood, conquer, and challenging one to meet him on the battle field. Well we all know how that story ended, but Gauld isn't satisfied, and in this graphic novel he goes on a quest to explore the more human side of the giant who fell by stone.The first task Gauld sets to is stripping away the religious aspect of the story. The only mentions of it are quotations from the Bible that set up certain portions in the story. As this epic opens, we're introduced to our giant; more gentle than menace, Goliath spends his day doing administrative paper work and hardly seems the warrior type. In fact, as the story opens, Goliath is changing shifts so that he can do more paperwork.Soon, Goliath finds himself at the center of ending the conflict between the Philistines and Israel. He's measured for armor, given a shield bearer, and sent on a quest to challenge one Israeli warrior, brave enough to take him on. He announces himself day by day, the reluctant warrior even considers abandoning his post at one point, until that fateful day when his opponent shows up and ends it in one fell swoop.Gauld's interpretation of history's most ruthless giant is heartbreaking and sympathetic, and in doing so restores Goliath to a more human status. He also slaps scripture in the face by having him fall backwards as he dies (In the Bible he falls forward, making for some dispute.). But it's the human aspect of Goliath's demise that really makes this story engaging; a misunderstood man a midst those that seek to use him for purposes that are unbecoming of him and that ultimately cost him his life. Grab a hanky, you'll be in for some water works.

5.0 out of 5 stars A sombre and beautiful book.

b.t. · January 18, 2018

Tom Gauld builds tension and creates a character you can empathize with, knowing what is in store for him, and makes that fate poignant and full of sorrow. His art is simple, his writing is short but packed with nuance and meaning. Tom Gauld is a genius.

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple, beautiful, and moving

M. · October 23, 2021

Very short, very beautiful, very Tom Gauld. An old story seen through a different lens. Somehow very moving!

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful retelling of a well known story

J. · March 5, 2012

Goliath is a graphic novel of the story of David and Goliath, told from Goliath's point of view. I loved it, and I loved sharing it with my children (ages 10 and 12).This is a sturdy book, with drawings and type that feel like a bit of a throwback to my untutored eye. Stylistically, especially in the sparse landscapes, I'm reminded of Edward Gorey, whose work I know mostly from watching Mystery! on PBS as a child. Gauld's work has the same "cross hatch" style, which makes simple drawings seem quite complex. Goliath is done in three colors: black, white, and brown. The landscape, with boulders, hills, and a few scraggly leafless trees, is quite barren.The focus of Goliath is not on action, and indeed, there is almost no action until the final frames. It's the character of Goliath, the novelty of getting the giant's back story, and the questions it raises about point of view and truth, that propel the book. I was very impressed with Gauld's ability to convey so much story through minimal text and stripped down illustrations.That said, despite the somber tone, there are moments of wry humor in Goliath, especially in the bureaucratic muddle that is the Philistine army, and in Goliath's relationship with his shield-bearer, an eager, naive boy whose pointed questions reveal the absurdity of Goliath's situation. My one criticism of the book would be that on one or two occasions the humor veers into "cutesy" territory.You have to watch for the small things in Goliath. In the opening pages, Goliath has gone down to the river for a drink. He absentmindedly picks up a rock. He looks at it, and lets it go. The "plop" it makes as it reenters the river is barely noticed by Goliath, but it's a strong dose of foreshadowing for the reader. Also notice how the type changes when scripture is quoted. The seemingly simple type and text are jarring against the force of the powerful, epic narrative most readers will know very well.This is a bleak book: a lot of waiting, for no apparent reason, then death. I was glad Gauld didn't pull his punches: David walking off with Goliath's head is the last image. It's not gory, but it's very powerful. Goliath isn't too sure what he's waiting for or why. If you didn't know the story, nothing in Goliath would clue you in as to why there is a battle in the first place. As Darth Vader would put it, the existential themes are strong in this one.I also like the questions the book raises about point of view and truth. Goliath sure does look bad from the point of view to which those versed in the Jewish, Muslim, or Christian traditions are accustomed (there's even a Greek version): a bloodthirty, taunting giant (he calls the Israelites during their time of prayer), with super duper armor and a terrifying bronze spear and sword. Pit him against David, practically a child, with no armor, and a few rocks, and you have the makings of a huge upset victory. As a Jew, I read the story as revealing David's fitness to be king, and, more generally, as imparting a multitude of other lessons about hubris before God, etc. In our tradition, Goliath, once struck by David's rock, falls forward on his face, and rabbis throughout the ages have claimed this shows how right David was, that God didn't even make him walk too far to cut off Goliath's head. In Gauld's version, the dead Goliath is on his back. In my reading, this reinforces the theme we shouldn't be too sure about our own rightness, about our differences from those we deem wrong, or about the "one true version" of any story.

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book.

N. · March 21, 2021

Humor, art and brutality. This was an off the cuff purchase. Being that I’m a big admirer of the authors art. This was a funny side to a story known the world over. Definitely worth a laugh at the end.

5.0 out of 5 stars History revisited

B.V.L. · December 15, 2019

Another excellent comic by British writer Tom Gauld. The history of Goliath completely revisited. Drawings make you think of what is going on without words. Is Goliath a bad person and David a good one? Neither one nor the other

5.0 out of 5 stars amazing

j. · March 8, 2012

an amazing book, as an artist and graphic designer this book is very inspiring, the art is simple, elegant and full of emotion. I wish I could get bigger screen prints of my favorite panels. I couldn't recommend this more.

3.0 out of 5 stars Very Thin .

T. · May 10, 2025

There wasn’t much in The original story, as The Bible is notorious for trimming down all of its tales & narratives to their barest bones, expecting The Reader to fill in The meater portions with The stories they’d no doubt heard 20 or so times previously in Sunday’s school ( ? ): - - - - - : o

Oh, Tom

E.N. · July 12, 2014

Tom es sencillo, dulce, sensible y sutil.Sus libritos son como echarse una siesta en una hamaca mecida por la brisa marina del atardecer.O como una comida de domingo servida por tu abuela.Algo así.

Heavy and quiet

J. · September 2, 2016

The comic is very unique in telling a familiar but heavy tale from a singular individual's perspective. The illustrator did a fine job contracting the temporalities of life with historical significance.

Court

G.C. · October 13, 2013

C'est une bande dessinée trop vite lu. On s'attache aux personnages mais les textes sont peu nombreux. Avec les commentaires fort positifs vus sur le web, je m'attendais à quelque chose d'exceptionnel. Ce ne fut pas le cas. Bien, mais sans plus. Bon graphisme.

Tom Gauld - I love you!

J. · January 11, 2014

This is beautiful book. Tom's illustrations bring the atmosphere and calmed pace and tell more of the story than the words.

¡Bravo, Tom!

L. · November 19, 2020

Pese al estilo cómico de Gauld, el relato nos mete en la historia de pleno y nos sentimos parte. Es capaz de hacernos llegar sus emociones y realmente, el libro de conmueve.