G and T mandatory reading.
Welcome aboard Esme Keith’s debut dystopic novel: a cunning parody of modern-day luxury and the coveted “all-inclusive” vacation from the refreshingly blunt point of view of a man unable to see beyond his own needs.
Not to give away the ending or anything, but my floating coffin, complete with portholes, alludes to the rather grim turn of events. My goal was to emulate the dark but still comical tone of the book by rendering a fairly morbid scene in a playful illustrative style.
With help from the author, I drew a diagram of The Mariola to help readers navigate all 20 levels of the lavish cruise ship and its amenities. The diagram was printed in full colour on the inside of an over-sized back cover flap.
Guildenstern: You can’t not be on a boat.
Rosencrantz: I’ve frequently not been on boats.
Guildenstern: No, no. What you’ve been is not on boats.
— Tom Stoppard
Client: Freehand Books
Author: Esme Claire Keith
Publication Date: October 2011
