The phosphorescence of Eleanor’s town abruptly turns into desolation where the festivities give way to The Unknown Lands. It is here that the man who no one loves lives. The town is a great place to be, with parties, sports, music and celebrations, but despite being welcomed, the unloved man never accepts an invitation. With songs delightful enough to make even the songbirds sing, Eleanor merrily plays her flute for all to enjoy. Not unlike the man outside of her town, the girl repeatedly declines requests for her company as she doesn’t want anything to be a distraction from her joyful music. But when she does lay down her flute, Eleanor offers a moment’s thought to the lonely man living in the barren land. Boldly, she wanders beyond the road’s end to find out what makes the unloved man live his solitary life. Their connection is special, and it affects Eleanor all the way down to the soul of her songs.
Ultra-modern and techno-glamorous, The Man Who No One Loved by Phaedra Moon is initially an example of revelry and happiness captured in book form. There is so much joy and excitement connected through music and movement, all seen through a distorted, somewhat ambiguous lens. Childlike innocence eventually gives way to some heavier themes, such as sorrow and disappointment. These topics are perfect for starting conversations with curious young readers. As Eleanor returns to town with a profound sadness in her heart, the questions that her evolution raises are worth considering both in her colorful world and in our own. The unique way the text is integrated into the scenes is eye-catching, demanding attention and praise. An electric change of pace from formulaic children’s literature, The Man Who No One Loved will encourage contemplation as the disparate ideas of beauty and sadness are seamlessly bound together.
