Ironically, not feeling well while reading an online reader copy might have helped me love the story even more than I would have if I was in perfect health. You see, The Tightrope Wanderer by Federica Ortolan and illustrator Marco Leoni would have probably been just another story about a person who did what he loved, grew old and then moved on. And it would have been nice, but nothing special. Instead, I came away with an appreciation for it that I am not really sure how to process yet. The “offness” I was feeling health-wise allowed me to connect with the almost surrealness of the story.
If I had to use one word to describe things, I would just say WOW. But, I will continue to say that it is poetic, romantic, a little silly, heavy and light all mixed into one. The story of a Tightrope Wanderer (who is a tightrope walker) is not something you would expect to be so spiritual and therefore speak to an adult reader. The child reader will like the fact the tight rope walker is doing his act, and the people are amazed and love it. The adult will see how we learn lessons of overcoming fear, patience, balance, and eventually mortality in a way that is not the end, but just could be another beginning.
I did wish the color red (such as the scarf) was shown more, but overall loved the illustrations with their very classic look. The sepia colors definitely allowed for a more poetic and dreamy quality to things. They are busy, but a lot of detail is “background” that supports the main pieces and the actual story. Read via an online reader, it is due May 2026.
