TAVS is an illustrated novel about identity, loneliness, love and death, inspired by the Japanese manga tradition, Haruki Murakami and film noir. Tavs is a thirteen year old boy, whose life has become increasingly difficult, after the death of his twin brother, and his family’s move to Tokyo.

Tavs misses his brother, Teo. He sees his shadow everywhere. From reflections in windows and mirrors, Teo tries to lure Tavs into joining him on the other side, and after failing at a musical performance with the Japanese girl Shiro, Tavs decides to do so. He ventures onto a long journey through a strange world, towards Teo and the realm of the Dead. On his way, he encounters cannibalistic giants, blood thirsty swarms of insects and monstrous dragons – until he is washed up on a remote shore, and reunited with Teo.

TAVS published by Høst & Søn 2012.

Winner of the Danish Children’s Librarians Prize, 2013
Ping Prize nominee in the category: Best young adult graphic novel.

From the Ping Prize nomination speech:

“Camilla Hübbe has written and Rasmus Meisler has illustrated a graphic tale about identity, loneliness, death and love, inspired by the Japanese Manga tradition.

The main plot revolves around the protagonist Tavs and his longing for his late twin brother, Teo. Tavs’ memories and emotions serve as an interesting and many layered pathway to the journey he must undertake – a journey between inner and outer worlds.

Camilla Hübbe and Rasmus Meislers illustrated novel is a narrative experiment, with its manga style images, that engages the reader and adds pulse and edge to a large and complex story. In TAVS you find a bold and admirable interaction between images and words, and a form that really involves its young readers, and takes them seriously.”

TAVS APP NOVEL
The app novel TAVS is a digital version of the book form 2013 – with its genre defying mix of text, music, stills, animation and soundscapes – an ambitious take on a new digital literary style.

The animated artwork by Rasmus Meisler and the suggestive soundscapes by Stefan Pasborg is created to lift and enhance the shifting moods in Camilla Hübbes novel. The narrative is organized in locations and lets the reader follow thirteen year old Tavs on his desperate trip from Tokyo to a destructive netherworld.

The app novel was created as a part of a pilot project for new media literature, from e-book to i-book. The project was mainly funded by the Danish Ministry of Culture.

TAVS the app was given the coveted ‘QED’ (quality, excellence, design) mark for e-books and apps.