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bgprincipessa's review
4.0
Unsurprisingly, I got more out of the volume starring a Christian girl. There's something to be said for that whole identifying with characters thing.
saidtheraina's review
3.0
Maybe I'm misinterpreting the intent of this book. Considering how much attention and promotion it's received (much of which I've read), that seems odd. I've read most (maybe all) of Yang's published work, and seen him speak. I dig him, as a creator of stories.
But I get the impression that a duo-work like this (and Boxers) was created to portray both sides of the story. The story of the Boxer rebellion. And it kinda does.
But why does Boxers get to be almost double the length of Saints?
I left the experience of reading both volumes in quick succession feeling deflated. And not particularly enlightened. And just a little bit misled.
But I get the impression that a duo-work like this (and Boxers) was created to portray both sides of the story. The story of the Boxer rebellion. And it kinda does.
But why does Boxers get to be almost double the length of Saints?
I left the experience of reading both volumes in quick succession feeling deflated. And not particularly enlightened. And just a little bit misled.
trekbicycles's review
5.0
Jaw on the floor! Compassionately and tenderly holds two challenging, oppositional sides of the Boxer Rebellion. Forcing people around me to read. 1/2
bequestofwings's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
eacolgan's review
4.0
Although much shorter than, and with just as abrupt and weird an ending as, its companion volume, I actually liked Saints a lot more than Boxers. I connected with Vibiana much more than with Little Bao-- which isn't to say I didn't like Little Bao as a protagonist, because I did. But I found Vibiana's struggles much more familiar, and much more emotively written. Her identity issues, starting first and foremost with not even having a real name, moving forward into believing she's a devil, the whole devil face thing dealing with the issues of how she's seen-- figuratively and literally-- by the people around her, finally finding with the Christians that she is seen in all ways and accepted, even if they don't truly know the heart of her... I think that's the tragedy of this half of the story, honestly, that the only person who knows Vibiana and inspires her is a dead saint.
I really was interested by the dual themes of vision in these books-- that both these kids are visited by spirits and ghosts, that both are "called" to look outside themselves for a purpose, that both feel lost until these visions give them a goal. I wish more had been done with Vibiana's story-- it is much more passive than Little Bao's, but I feel like some of the story of the Society's growing legend could have been told from Vibiana's POV, and that her later years could have been fleshed out a lot more. IDK, I really wanted more from her story than I got. But I liked what I did get quite a bit. Looking forward to discussing this at book club tonight!
I really was interested by the dual themes of vision in these books-- that both these kids are visited by spirits and ghosts, that both are "called" to look outside themselves for a purpose, that both feel lost until these visions give them a goal. I wish more had been done with Vibiana's story-- it is much more passive than Little Bao's, but I feel like some of the story of the Society's growing legend could have been told from Vibiana's POV, and that her later years could have been fleshed out a lot more. IDK, I really wanted more from her story than I got. But I liked what I did get quite a bit. Looking forward to discussing this at book club tonight!
mrswythe89's review
4.0
Given Vibiana's end in Boxers I was a little surprised by the lack of certainty in this narrative -- I sort of thought she'd be this shining example of faith, but no. I think I found her story probably more painful and moving than Little Bao's, because he had a clear path set out for him and she didn't really -- not a path she understood. I also found this funnier than Boxers, especially Vibiana's early interactions with Christianity and the foreign priest. The explicit linking of Jesus and Guanyin worked for me, though it might not for others.
caitcoy's review
5.0
Boxers and Saints is one of the best graphic novels for teens that I've read! I knew nothing about the Boxer Rebellion before picking it up but I was very impressed with how Yang made the story of two Chinese teens caught up in the events of the conflict somehow compelling, disturbing and entertaining all at once.
Full review here: http://aeither.net/?p=2957
Full review here: http://aeither.net/?p=2957
luanndie's review
4.0
Boxers & Saints es un cómic histórico que se centra en el levantamiento de los bóxers en China a finales del s.XIX. La historia se divide en dos tomos, cada uno de ellos narra los mismos eventos pero desde el punto de vista de un personaje a cada lado del enfrentamiento. Esto fue precisamente lo que me pareció más interesante, y aunque disfruté más de Saints que de Boxers, no se puede negar que en ambos Yang demuestra una gran maestría del dibujo y de la narración.
Al igual que me ocurrió con [b:American Born Chinese|118944|American Born Chinese|Gene Luen Yang|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1317066615s/118944.jpg|114515], tuve problemas para entrar en la parte más mitológica pero en general, la historia fue interesante y sorprendentemente educativa. El único problema fue que a pesar de todas sus virtudes, ni la historia ni los personajes llegaron a atraparme del todo.
Al igual que me ocurrió con [b:American Born Chinese|118944|American Born Chinese|Gene Luen Yang|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1317066615s/118944.jpg|114515], tuve problemas para entrar en la parte más mitológica pero en general, la historia fue interesante y sorprendentemente educativa. El único problema fue que a pesar de todas sus virtudes, ni la historia ni los personajes llegaron a atraparme del todo.