Tom Gauld’s cartoon book, Revenge of the Librarians, is the latest one circulating around the library staff. Well, of course. But, this isn’t just a cartoon book for librarians. Writers and bibliophiles will enjoy this book by the cartoonist and illustrator published in The Guardian and The New Yorker.

A cartoon book is not an easy one to review, but I’ll just mention a few of my favorite cartoons in the book. The very first one in the book is for all of us who love Beauty and the Beast because of the Beast’s library. It says, “Now that you are my bride, you will never leave this castle.” “Wow! Your library is amazing!” “Beyond the castle is a high wall with no gate, and beyond that is a deep, dark forest with no path.” “I suppose it’s my library too, now we’re married.” “The forest is crawling with ravenous wolves, malignant birds and the spirits of long-dead travellers.” “So many books! I can’t believe my luck!” “When the sun sets, I transform into a wild beast and soar into the night, seized by a terrible bloodlust!” “Ok. I’ll stay here and read. See you in the morning.”

Here’s one for the writers in the crowd. “How to Tell If Your Cat is Interested in the Novel You Are Writing.”

Cat meows constantly at the study door. “The cat is not interested in your novel.”

Cat watches you intently as you write. “The cat is not interested in your novel.”

Cat goes to sleep on your manuscript. “The cat is not interested in your novel.”

Cat repeatedly walks across your keyboard. “The cat is not interested in your novel.”

Cat nests in your box of author copies. “The cat is not interested in your novel.”

Or, here’s one for writers and readers. It’s a drawing of two people in separate panels, walking through autumn trees. It’s called “An Autumn Walk Inspires the Nature Poet and the Detective Novelist.” I think you’ll guess which is which. One says, “I’ll write a poem about the melancholy beauty of leaves falling in the autumn sun!” The other says, “I’ll write a story about autumn winds revealing a headless corpse hidden in a pile of fallen leaves!”

I think you get the messages. It’s a fun cartoon book for those of us who love books. It’s a fun gift idea for the bibliophile in your life.

I introduced the post here with a Beauty and the Beast takeoff. Here’s one of my favorite literary ones. It makes me laugh. Two women are talking. The first is reading “An Anonymous Letter Arrives at the Hall.” The second woman seems to be in love with “Mr. Bingham”.

“It’s a list of scandalous rumours about Mister Bingham.” “Tell me. My love for him will endure.”

“He shot a viscount in a duel.” “We all have a psst.”

“He won his fortune at the card table.” “Nobody’s perfect.”

“He was engaged to a Parisian dancer.” “I forgive him.”

“He marks his place in books by folding over the corner of the page.” “Burn his letters and send back the ring! I cannot marry a monster!”

Nice job, Mr. Gauld.

Revenge of the Cartoons by Tom Gauld. Drawn & Quarterly, 2022. ISBN 9781770466166 (hardcover).

FTC Full Disclosure – Library book.