The Artist Behind the Adventure
To celebrate our Locked Library Classics edition of The Odyssey, we spoke with illustrator Fran Haslam about the magic of mythology, the inspiration behind her distinctive style, and the creative journey of bringing this legendary tale to life.
Fran, your illustrations bring the myths of The Odyssey to life in such a magical way. What is it about illustrating mythology that captivates you?
“Myths are some of the most traditional and ancient ways of telling stories, so trying to reimagine a world that has been passed down through stories and pictures is a really fun challenge. There's so many stories to be inspired by so once I started, I couldn't really stop even if I wanted to (which I don't)!”
Your style is so beautiful and distinctive. How did you craft this signature style over the years?
“My first mythical drawing was actually an Odyssey style poster way back during uni. I vividly remember seeing my brother perform it as a play when we were younger, and the scene with the Cyclops had stuck with me the most. I wanted to capture that moment, and was inspired by the black figure painting from ancient Greek pottery. It was from there the dark silhouetted drawings developed, but I slowly introduced more colours and started to challenge myself to add as many small details as possible.”
Can you share a behind-the-scenes moment or challenge from creating this edition - something readers wouldn’t see in the finished book?
“As there are so many striking moments in The Odyssey, narrowing down just a few images for the inside was probably the trickiest. I sketched out far more ideas for the inside and I could have probably kept going, but there could only be 4. Having to be picky about which moments to include was probably the hardest part.”
Fantasy and mythology often invite readers to see the world differently. Do you have a personal favourite myth that never fails to spark wonder or inspire your imagination?
“I think for me it would be the myth of Persephone in the Underworld because there are so many interesting lenses to view it through. There's the story of a mother's unyielding love for her daughter, a romantic (or really dark) love story, or even just a beautiful tale about how the seasons came to be. It's one story with so much to offer!”
If this edition could sit on a magical shelf in a secret library, what would it whisper to its reader?
“This design was all about the journey and the adventure. I think it's screaming at the reader that this is one of the most epic adventures out there and if you want to be taken on a ride, here's where to go!”
About this edition:
Gods scheme, monsters lurk, and the long road home is anything but simple. The Odyssey is the legendary tale that launched a thousand adventures.
Are you ready to begin the journey?
Our Locked Library Classics edition of The Odyssey will feature:
🏺Jacketless hardback illustrated by @fran.haslam with foil
🏺 Beautiful digitally sprayed edges by @fran.haslam
🏺 Illustrated endpapers with foil by @fran.haslam
🏺 Imitation quarter-bound spine, matching The Locked Library Classics collection
🏺 Printed ribbon marker
🏺 B-format hardback
Sale dates:
🗝️ 7th April, 2pm GMT: early access for current subscribers (you MUST be signed up to the newsletter to receive your early access code)
🗝️ 8th April, 2pm GMT: general sale
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