Second helping of Shamal

The successful Shamal saga continues as author and multi-talented British artist Anna Leanda Thackray launches the sequel to her fictional book tonight at Maison Jamsheer in Muharraq, writes Mai Al Khatib-Camille.

The illustrator, who has a Bachelors Honours degree in Fine Art, received rave reviews for her first graphic novel, The Awakening of Shamal: No Time To Waste!, which she released earlier this year.

Her latest offering is a comic book with 44 pages of words and illustrations written and drawn by Anna in six months. Her first book took two years to complete.

The artist, who has featured many of her paintings at various exhibitions and competitions, hopes that the second chapter of her comic trilogy, The Feuding Shamal: War is Peace!, will also entertain and excite.

She said: “The reaction to the first chapter in the Shamal saga was amazing. I was overwhelmed on how well it was received in Bahrain and further afield across the broader GCC region.

“I was so anxious when I first launched it, as I had no idea how it would go, but I was pleasantly surprised by how many fans the book has gained in the last few months.

“I am nervous but also excited to reveal to the readers the progression within the story line of my second offering. I even surprised my husband sometimes with the twist and turns in this book.”

Inspired by her travels and her life in the kingdom, her first chapter told the story of an expat archaeologist, Dr Lorna Carse, studying the ancient burial sites in Bahrain with her mentor and colleague, a Bahraini professor called Ahmed.

Together, the duo make a fascinating and intriguing discovery in an old grave in the desert next to the Tree of Life. Interweaved with the present day story, they learn of two brothers in ancient times that were up to no good.

The two brothers Shamal and Samun were part of the Sanguis clan – ruffians who thieved and plundered villages and robbed their inhabitants.

The second chapter is a continuation of the epic adventure that is set in both modern Bahrain as well as in the pre-Dilmun era.

Anna said: “The story is fast-paced and full of dramatic events so I hope the reader will be entertained. In between the fiction are some scientific facts that I researched.

“I look at ancient mummification techniques and the process of melting ice. I think nature is fascinating and inspires me to create weird and wonderful superpowers for my characters.”

Anna’s book launch is being organised by Stafford & Sharabi Art Consultation and the Alliance Française, Bahrain from 7pm to 9pm. It will also include a book signing and raffle whereby two winners will be awarded a signed copy of her new chapter as well as her first.

Anna aims to release the third chapter of her trilogy in April 2015. She said: “Following that release, I will combine the three chapters into one book to be translated into Arabic.

“Bahrain inspires me still, having been to the museums with all those stories and mysteries. It is like living on an Indiana Jones movie set. I will continue writing and drawing my stories about Bahrain and the region for a very long time I think.”

The book is for sale at Jashnmal Book Stores, Words Book Store Café, Carrefour and Geant hypermarkets. A single book is priced at BD3, but for both chapters it is priced at BD5.

For details, visit: www.desert-comic.com