Magritte: This Is Not a Biography

As the title emphatically states, this graphic novel is a "un-biography" of the famous surrealist painter René Magritte. The story follows the significant moments in the man's life by hijacking the unassuming Charles Singular as he decides to buy a bowler hat, previously Magritte's, on impulse. The hat transports Charles into the artist's world, where everything is suspended in a dreamlike retelling of Magritte's past, and it stubbornly refuses to come off until Charles uncovers the secrets behind some of the most famous art of all time. He meets both imaginary and real-life characters, who highlight the nonsensical whimsy of Campi's illustrations. The line between fantasy and reality blurs so much that the end of the novel raises as many questions as the beginning. While not an in-depth examination of Magritte's life, this is a unique, absorbing way to learn about art and history. At times jumping over portions of time line, the book still effectively explores the sources of the artist's inspiration. Campi's magnificent visuals are a triumph—reminiscent of Magritte's style and subjects but with Campi's personal twist. They can be enjoyed with or without the accompanying narrative, though mature art lovers will most appreciate the thematic connections.