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msmahlon's review
5.0
This one was sooooo much more poignant than Boxers, omg. That epilogue's juxtaposition to the ending... heavy-hitting stuff!
romcm's review
3.0
There was something a bit disturbing about both books in this series. I was surprised, as I've loved all his other works. Perhaps it was the eerie supernatural storyline? Or the horror of war? I don't know.
poorashleu's review
3.0
Originally posted here
In the companion novel to Boxers, Saints tells the story of the other side, the side of the Christians. What I found most interesting about Saints is how Yang made the two intertwine. Yes, obviously the two are telling the same story, just from opossing sides, Saints is not just a retelling, it is something more. It’s the story of Four-Girl and how her life path actually crossed with Little Bao in Boxers we the reader, just weren’t aware of it at the time.
Four-Girl never really belonged in her family. She never really belonged until one day, she found Christianity. Her whole life was changed in that moment and she made her family with missionaries who came to China. She felt comforted and at home with missionaries. Four-Girl believed if only everyone would welcome Christianity into their lives things would be okay. Better even.
Although a shorter work, Saints still packs a punch to the story just like Boxer did and it reiterates the point that there are always two sides to every story even if its a side that you don’t necessarily agree with or even ever think about.
In the companion novel to Boxers, Saints tells the story of the other side, the side of the Christians. What I found most interesting about Saints is how Yang made the two intertwine. Yes, obviously the two are telling the same story, just from opossing sides, Saints is not just a retelling, it is something more. It’s the story of Four-Girl and how her life path actually crossed with Little Bao in Boxers we the reader, just weren’t aware of it at the time.
Four-Girl never really belonged in her family. She never really belonged until one day, she found Christianity. Her whole life was changed in that moment and she made her family with missionaries who came to China. She felt comforted and at home with missionaries. Four-Girl believed if only everyone would welcome Christianity into their lives things would be okay. Better even.
Although a shorter work, Saints still packs a punch to the story just like Boxer did and it reiterates the point that there are always two sides to every story even if its a side that you don’t necessarily agree with or even ever think about.
ashleythebard's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
5.0
rainmisoa's review
4.0
ntembeast's review
3.0
Well. I'm not going to spout some bullshit saying that this wasn't a good story or that it wasn't well written, but I think more or less I'm disappointed solely because I'm so sad with how everything turned out. It's one people wronging another, and both are equally to blame for the horrible things they do to each other-- no one ends up the winner, everyone loses, the blood never ends. It was a sad story. But considering the hints I've seen at the end of both of these volumes, I take it that this was all based on a very real historical event, and that Gene Luen Yang just put his own characters into the story to write about it and make it better known. *Shuts eyes and shakes head sadly* It just isn't a happy story, and I think if you go into it knowing that, it makes the blow a little less harsh. Of course, this would also be something easier to understand and probably to benefit from if you knew about the real historical events that it seems this duology is based off of, "The Boxer Rebellion." While I personally have no knowledge of this, I think anyone genuinely interested in Chinese culture and history will likely find a lot to enjoy about this duology. It's rich in story, and its characters are superb. It's just sad, as well. So be forewarned of that when you go into it.
gimchi's review
4.0
this one is sticking with me.
it also made me realize, "man, i'm a total dick about christianity." not that my views have changed on that front by reading this book, but that i can admit it and be honest about it. i'm always wanting them to be the bad guys in any story, but the truth isn't always what you want it to be.
i'm all, "what's gene trying to say about christianity w/ that ending?"
** more to come later, about to hit a sushi coma **
oh, also, i really loved the handling and explanations of how the chinese viewed christian stories.
it also made me realize, "man, i'm a total dick about christianity." not that my views have changed on that front by reading this book, but that i can admit it and be honest about it. i'm always wanting them to be the bad guys in any story, but the truth isn't always what you want it to be.
i'm all, "what's gene trying to say about christianity w/ that ending?"
** more to come later, about to hit a sushi coma **
oh, also, i really loved the handling and explanations of how the chinese viewed christian stories.
yoteach87's review
4.0
The opposite perspective of the Boxer Rebellion told from the point of view of a Christian. It intersects with Bao's story from the Boxers book.
raeanne's review against another edition
5.0
I love Gene Luen Yang's work. It always hooks me right away, keeps me wondering, and sticks with me long after finishing. Saints is no different.
I felt so bad for Four-Girl! And I was really hoping for a different end, even though I knew better. I honestly wasn't expecting the prologue at all though.
Like I said for Boxers, this is a much better way to learn about history, IMHO.
No matter what's next for Luen Yang, I can't wait to read it!
I felt so bad for Four-Girl! And I was really hoping for a different end, even though I knew better. I honestly wasn't expecting the prologue at all though.
Like I said for Boxers, this is a much better way to learn about history, IMHO.
No matter what's next for Luen Yang, I can't wait to read it!
drearyletters's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0