In this slim volume, Cantacuzino and Noor give us an overview of how we experience forgiveness--what it takes to forgive and why we choose to withhold it. They use first-hand accounts from people around the world to illustrate grievances on a personal and national level, and they also delve into the biological functions and repercussions of forgiveness. This is only scratching the surface, but it is a lovely introduction to a deep subject. I loved the artwork provided by Standing to enhance the information--she uses a mellow palette that suits the book perfectly. It appears this is a series of sorts, with titles on trauma, anxiety, and pain, I look forward to reading them all.
Showing posts with label Lindsay B. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lindsay B. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Forgiveness Is Really Strange
Forgiveness Is Really Strange by Marina Cantacuzino and Masi Noor. Art by Sophie Standing. 64 pages.
In this slim volume, Cantacuzino and Noor give us an overview of how we experience forgiveness--what it takes to forgive and why we choose to withhold it. They use first-hand accounts from people around the world to illustrate grievances on a personal and national level, and they also delve into the biological functions and repercussions of forgiveness. This is only scratching the surface, but it is a lovely introduction to a deep subject. I loved the artwork provided by Standing to enhance the information--she uses a mellow palette that suits the book perfectly. It appears this is a series of sorts, with titles on trauma, anxiety, and pain, I look forward to reading them all.
In this slim volume, Cantacuzino and Noor give us an overview of how we experience forgiveness--what it takes to forgive and why we choose to withhold it. They use first-hand accounts from people around the world to illustrate grievances on a personal and national level, and they also delve into the biological functions and repercussions of forgiveness. This is only scratching the surface, but it is a lovely introduction to a deep subject. I loved the artwork provided by Standing to enhance the information--she uses a mellow palette that suits the book perfectly. It appears this is a series of sorts, with titles on trauma, anxiety, and pain, I look forward to reading them all.
Be Prepared
Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol. 256 pages.
This is a semi-autobiographical recollection of Vera Brosgol's childhood experience going to summer camp...one I can thoroughly appreciate. Growing up, Vera always felt (and often was) left out because of her Russian heritage and for coming from a less affluent family. Her friends can't stop talking about how much they love summer camp, and finally Vera is able to convince her mother to send her and her brother to an American camp for children of Russian heritage, thinking this will be the key to finally finding a group of friends that share her identity. Vera is sorely mistaken, though, and finds she will have to endure torturous weeks of mean girls, outhouses and scary forest sounds, lessons on Russian history, and pranks galore.
I hated going to summer camp as a child, so this book really resonated with me. It feels like Brosgol presents herself in a fairly honest light, highlighting her best and worst moments with equal enthusiasm. I was hooked the whole way through, hoping she would find retribution with her tent-mates, wondering if the girls would ever win Capture the Flag, and, of course, pulling for Vera to make it out without a total loss of dignity. This is great for any kid who's ever had a problem fitting in. Due out April 24th.
This is a semi-autobiographical recollection of Vera Brosgol's childhood experience going to summer camp...one I can thoroughly appreciate. Growing up, Vera always felt (and often was) left out because of her Russian heritage and for coming from a less affluent family. Her friends can't stop talking about how much they love summer camp, and finally Vera is able to convince her mother to send her and her brother to an American camp for children of Russian heritage, thinking this will be the key to finally finding a group of friends that share her identity. Vera is sorely mistaken, though, and finds she will have to endure torturous weeks of mean girls, outhouses and scary forest sounds, lessons on Russian history, and pranks galore.I hated going to summer camp as a child, so this book really resonated with me. It feels like Brosgol presents herself in a fairly honest light, highlighting her best and worst moments with equal enthusiasm. I was hooked the whole way through, hoping she would find retribution with her tent-mates, wondering if the girls would ever win Capture the Flag, and, of course, pulling for Vera to make it out without a total loss of dignity. This is great for any kid who's ever had a problem fitting in. Due out April 24th.
The Altered History of Willow Sparks
The Altered History of Willow Sparks by Tara O'Connor. 152 pages.
Willow is just trying to get through high school unscathed. She and her friends are at the bottom of the social order, and her peers want to keep them there. One night, as she's working her shift at the local library, Willow discovers a strange, hidden library within that contains a book with her name on it. She soon discovers this book gives her the ability to alter the course of her life, but the further she plays with it, the more destructive she becomes...not just to herself, but to those she most cares about.
While this wasn't the most original subject matter, it still was a relatively solid, be-careful-what-you-wish-for comic that also touches on bullying, gender norms, and sexuality in a way that's good for the YA crowd. The art reminded me a lot of Faith Erin Hicks, which is a bonus in my book. As a long-time library employee, I had a few issues with how the whole library job thing was portrayed, but hey, this is also fantasy. The Altered History of Willow Sparks is due out March 6th.
Willow is just trying to get through high school unscathed. She and her friends are at the bottom of the social order, and her peers want to keep them there. One night, as she's working her shift at the local library, Willow discovers a strange, hidden library within that contains a book with her name on it. She soon discovers this book gives her the ability to alter the course of her life, but the further she plays with it, the more destructive she becomes...not just to herself, but to those she most cares about.While this wasn't the most original subject matter, it still was a relatively solid, be-careful-what-you-wish-for comic that also touches on bullying, gender norms, and sexuality in a way that's good for the YA crowd. The art reminded me a lot of Faith Erin Hicks, which is a bonus in my book. As a long-time library employee, I had a few issues with how the whole library job thing was portrayed, but hey, this is also fantasy. The Altered History of Willow Sparks is due out March 6th.
Friday, February 9, 2018
Semiosis
Semiosis by Sue Burke. 333 pages.
When Earth's environmental and political problems have become too extreme, a group of scientists, longing for a better world, turn to space for a planet that may be habitable for humans. The scientists wake up after nearly 200 years (cryogenically frozen, of course) to find Pax, a planet much like Earth. Only, Pax is much older, and as a result, the plant life has had more time to evolve...and possibly develop a kind of sentience. What follows is a saga of this small colony fighting to survive in an environment that can be both hospitable and hostile at once.
While it is not revealed in most teasers I have read, I don't think it is much of a spoiler to reveal that each chapter in Semiosis is written from a different point-of-view throughout the generations that inhabit Pax. This leads to some incredible storytelling where we, the readers, have a broader knowledge of how events and alliances have unfolded, but such knowledge isn't always as apparent to the characters. I wasn't sure I was going to get into this book at first, but when I caught on to this structure by the second chapter, I was hooked. Semiosis brings up some really interesting implicit commentary on culture heritage, ownership, and the passage of a collective knowledge. It was a thrilling read, with definite suspense and horror elements peppering the plot. Following these characters--humans and plants--for so long garners a lot of attachment, and I was on the edge of my seat 'til the end wondering how (or even if) anyone would make it. A fantastic read and one I just may return to in the future.
When Earth's environmental and political problems have become too extreme, a group of scientists, longing for a better world, turn to space for a planet that may be habitable for humans. The scientists wake up after nearly 200 years (cryogenically frozen, of course) to find Pax, a planet much like Earth. Only, Pax is much older, and as a result, the plant life has had more time to evolve...and possibly develop a kind of sentience. What follows is a saga of this small colony fighting to survive in an environment that can be both hospitable and hostile at once.While it is not revealed in most teasers I have read, I don't think it is much of a spoiler to reveal that each chapter in Semiosis is written from a different point-of-view throughout the generations that inhabit Pax. This leads to some incredible storytelling where we, the readers, have a broader knowledge of how events and alliances have unfolded, but such knowledge isn't always as apparent to the characters. I wasn't sure I was going to get into this book at first, but when I caught on to this structure by the second chapter, I was hooked. Semiosis brings up some really interesting implicit commentary on culture heritage, ownership, and the passage of a collective knowledge. It was a thrilling read, with definite suspense and horror elements peppering the plot. Following these characters--humans and plants--for so long garners a lot of attachment, and I was on the edge of my seat 'til the end wondering how (or even if) anyone would make it. A fantastic read and one I just may return to in the future.
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
Panther
Little Christine's beloved cat just died. As Christine sits in her room mourning the death, Panther slinks out of her dresser. Constantly shifting in appearance, adapting his story to suit Christine's fancy, maybe Panther is a coping mechanism of Christine's imagination to help her understand death. But then, her stuffed animals begin to move of their own accord. And what are those strange shadows after she falls asleep? Is Panther really there to help Christine, or is something more sinister at work?
I loved this darkly humorous graphic novel by Evens. It was reminiscent of the bizarre, psychedelic, menacing work of Michael DeForge, Jesse Jacobs, and Fabien Vehlmann--all creators whose adventurous work push the boundaries of childlike imagination and horror. Just when I thought I knew how the story was going to go, everything switched up, growing weirder by the page. It was eerie and disturbing, as well as wildly gorgeous with bold brush strokes and a bright palette. A pure delight for those looking for a twisted read and visual feast.
Portugal
Comics creator Simon Muchat is uninspired. He's not excited by his job. He's not really invested in his relationship. Life is feeling pretty drab for Simon until he travels Portugal for a book signing--his family emigrated from Portugal during Salazar's authoritarian regime, and Simon hasn't been to visit since he was a young boy. From this initial visit and a subsequent wedding invitation from a long-lost cousin, Simon begins to feel a spark in his soul has he reconnects with his past and his family's history, exploring the language, terrain, and culture of an estranged country. Based on author/artist Cyril Pedrosa's own experiences rediscovering his past, Portugal is a quiet, slice-of-life graphic novel rich in atmosphere. It was originally published in 2011 to great acclaim in Europe; the English version was released last year with a starred review from Publisher's Weekly.
I am on the fence about Portugal. I loved the feel of it--Simon's ennui amid French and Portuguese settings, the incorporation of everyday chitchat among locals and at family gatherings, the warm colors and fine, almost spidery detail of the artwork (you can get a sense of this from the cover)--the strength of the book can be found in these details. However, I didn't find Simon to be an altogether sympathetic character, so I didn't feel as invested in his efforts to research his nebulous family history as perhaps was intended. It was a little hard to follow who was who throughout his travels and genealogy, and I would have liked a little more depth in the backstory of his family's emigration. All in all, though, it has made me interested in Pedrosa's other work, which I wouldn't mind seeking out on down the line.
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