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Comics & Graphic Novels Horror

The Cannibal

by (author) Louise Flaherty & Solomon Awa

illustrated by Raphael Ter-Stephanov

Publisher
Inhabit Media
Initial publish date
May 2024
Category
Horror, Historical Fiction, Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Legends & Mythology, Adaptations
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781772274813
    Publish Date
    May 2024
    List Price
    $22.95

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Description

Based on an Inuit traditional story passed down orally for generations, The Cannibal tells the horrific tale of a family experiencing starvation when the animals they rely on for survival disappear. While the wife stays alive by eating plants she gathers daily, the husband does the unthinkable, resorting to murder and cannibalism. Horrified, and terrified for her life, the wife eventually finds herself alone in camp with her husband. She knows what will happen to her if she does not find a way to escape. Hatching a plan, the exhausted wife embarks on the journey with her murderous husband in pursuit. After safely arriving at a nearby camp, she shares the story of what has become of her camp, and her own children. Soon the husband arrives, and the camp must decide how to deal with the cannibal. Both horrific and poignant, this cautionary traditional story provides a window into the at times harsh realities of traditional life.

About the authors

Louise Flaherty grew up in Clyde River, Nunavut. Early on, Louise was fortunate to be surrounded by great storytellers. Her grandparents instilled in her a passion for Inuktitut, and an understanding that speaking Inuktitut is a fundamental part of Inuit identity. In 2005, Louise co-founded Inhabit Media Inc., an independent publishing house dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Inuit knowledge and values, and the Inuktitut language. Inhabit Media has since published dozens of books and Inuktitut resources that are used in classrooms throughout Nunavut.

Louise Flaherty's profile page

Solomon Awa was born in a sod house near Iglulik on November 2, 1959. From a young age, he was curious about everything around him. He learned to sew traditional items such as sealskins from his late mother, Appia Awa. His late father, Mathias Awa, was an excellent carver, especially with ivory, and one time he made a harpoon from caribou antlers in one night! Solomon learned to carve from him. Solomon loves to tell the stories that he learned from his father. He does this at schools, and also had the opportunity to go to Kaotokeno, Norway, to tell some of these stories. He teaches traditional knowledge at Nunavut Arctic College and works for the Qikiqtani Inuit Association.

Solomon Awa's profile page

Raphael Ter-Stephanov's profile page

Editorial Reviews

The Cannibal offers a rich narrative for exploring complex moral questions and the effects of extreme conditions on human ethics and family dynamics. The novel supports critical discussions on survival instincts, the cultural implications of extreme situations, and the resilience of the human spirit. It also examines life in the Arctic and the challenges of survival that many encounter. It encourages students to analyze character motivations and ethical dilemmas, aligning with learning objectives that emphasize literary analysis, cultural understanding, and the exploration of human experiences through literature.

David D., Indigenous Educator & Administrator, Indigenous Books for Schools

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