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Scene by Selwob: Topical Cartoons (1998-2010) from Frank D. Bowles
A Book Review
By David W. Virtue
www.vitueonline.org
As the Church of England grows more heretical and its actions more idiosyncratic and ribald, humor often becomes the only way to handle the growing absurdity in the unfolding ecclesiastical drama.
Cartoonist Frank Bowles has captured much of it in his 130-page book of light-hearted black and white cartoons on the state of the Church of England and the Scottish Episcopal Church.
His simple line drawings are direct and compelling:
No one is spared his incisive comments and cartoons. His wit and comments on everything and everyone from Forward in Faith and feminization to the Queen come in for gentle ribbing. Not even Dr. Rowan Williams is spared. (His face is a cartoonist's joy).
On Williams, he noted: "Some commentators, whilst complimenting Dr. Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, for his intelligence, thoughtfulness and scholarly approach, have sometimes also found him a little hard to understand, although they usually acknowledge that this is generally because of the depth and complexity of the issues with which he chooses to engage." A cartoon follows with Dr. Williams telling a broadcaster, "Look you - if I give my talk in Welsh, at least half a million people will understand it."
Each cartoon comes with its own dateline and the historical context in which the cartoon was drawn with references back to Wikipedia.
Mr. Bowles cartoons are strictly his own. His views and opinions, stated or inferred, should be regarded as personal and not necessarily shared or endorsed by the rector, vestry or other members, officials or attendees of the church.
For a first class chuckle I cannot recommend this book too highly.
If you would like to purchase a copy of this book (which measures the size of an iPad, you can do so by clicking here: www.amazon.co.uk/shops/deTableyPublishing
"Scene by Selwob: Topical Cartoons (1998-2010) from Frank Bowles"