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Ode to Joy

One Boy’s Journey Across War-torn Europe
By Sophie Herxheimer and Sarah Gavron
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Brief Description
This is the story of an ordinary little boy, Ib Katznelson, swept up in the cataclysmic tides of fascism, war and propaganda. A generation later, his daughter-in-law, filmmaker Sarah Gavron, inspired by Ib's story, finds artist-poet Sophie Herxheimer to collaborate on telling it in a new,... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$5500
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Releases 12th January 2027 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "Ode to Joy" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

This is the story of an ordinary little boy, Ib Katznelson, swept up in the cataclysmic tides of fascism, war and propaganda. A generation later, his daughter-in-law, filmmaker Sarah Gavron, inspired by Ib's story, finds artist-poet Sophie Herxheimer to collaborate on telling it in a new, visual form.

We follow Ib and his family's attempt to escape Denmark in 1943, and their eventual arrival at Theresienstadt, the 'model' concentration camp. Here the Nazis' horrors were hidden from the world, yet it was also a place where, somehow, art and culture flourished in secret. Satirical cabarets entertained the starving in desolate attics, children made beautiful works of art, huge choirs sang together about death.

This epic graphic novel contains all of life, from its darkest moments to its most surprising joys. Inspired by the creativity of the prisoners themselves, Ode to Joy invents a startling and original visual language to tell a story about those who keep hope alive, even in the cruellest of times.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781805338123

Publisher: Pushkin Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 27 August 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Pushkin Press

Audience: General / adult, Children

DIMENSIONS

Width: 170.0mm

Height: 240.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 224

Collections

Adult Graphic Novels Fiction Graphic Novels Pre-order Books Pre-order Graphic Novels Pre-orders Pre-orders by Release Date Sarah Gavron Sophie Herxheimer

About the Author

Sophie Herxheimer is an artist and poet. Her work has been shown at The National Portrait Gallery, The Museum of Liverpool and Tate Modern. Her collection Velkom to Inklandt (Short Books, 2017) was a Sunday Times Book of the Year. 60 Lovers to Make and Do (Henningham Family Press, 2019) was a TLS book of the year. INDEX (zimZalla, 2021) comprises 78 collage poems, published as a tarot deck. Ode to Joy is her first graphic novel.

Sarah Gavron is a British film director. Winner of a BAFTA and BIFA, among other awards, her films include Brick Lane, Suffragette, Village at the End of the World and Rocks.

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