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biglibraryenergy's review
funny
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Sexual content
animemiz24's review
5.0
Pretty good book, the art is is clean and the content of the story interesting. This is the story of an ordinary man who became famous because of his larger than life size and died young because of his size.
wrentheblurry's review
3.0
I'm not a fan of Andre the Giant, or of wrestling. Instead, I'm a fan of graphic novels, especially those published by First Second. This one left me lacking, however. The artwork is suitable, and the portrayals of real people do look like their counterparts. I'm a fan of brighter, more colorful art.
I assume the story follows Andre's life fairly accurately; the back of the book bulges with source notes. Some parts jumped around a bit, or left me hanging and wondering what was happening. Mostly, though, it was okay. I suspect Andre's fans will like this much more than I did.
I assume the story follows Andre's life fairly accurately; the back of the book bulges with source notes. Some parts jumped around a bit, or left me hanging and wondering what was happening. Mostly, though, it was okay. I suspect Andre's fans will like this much more than I did.
isabellabruno's review
fast-paced
3.0
I really appreciated how the author illustrator researched Andres life to create this book. I hadn't realized how little to truth might be available to understand Andre, so I'm grateful for the opening essay and the closing citations!
johnnymacaroni's review
4.0
I gave this to my husband for his birthday yesterday and I basically read it in one sitting. Though I am not a wrestling fan who doesn't love Andre? This is a fascinating story with intriguing insights into the world of wrestling. Expertly told as a graphic novel, it really works since wrestling is so visual and Andre was so big. It's also quite a sad story.
erincataldi's review
4.0
I've always been a huge fan of Andre the Giant, ever since I discovered The Princess Bride as a child. This graphic novel pieces together Andre's life and it comes apparent pretty quickly that it wasn't all rosy. Andre was ridiculed as a child, and when he finally made it to the doctor as an adult he was told that with his condition he wouldn't live past 40. Despite all the odds, he made a career in wrestling and gained popularity all over the world. He may not have been a saint, but he was a lost soul, looking for acceptance and a pain free life. Fantastic, albeit depressing, graphic novel. A must read for wrestling fans, or anyone who ever admired Andre the giant.
aoosterwyk's review
2.0
This graphic biography shows Andre the Giant, warts and all. His size and growth disorder made his life incredibly difficult and painful and his response was to self-medicate. The book shows how ignorant and mean people can be to someone who's different. It's an honest book, not a feel good book.
kinx128's review
4.0
The Princess Bride is one of my all-time favorite movies which means I’m a fan of the lovable giant rather than the pro-wrestler. That is the reason I wanted to read Andre the Giant: Life and Legend. However, after reading about his life, I’m left with a sadness on how Andre lived his life.
Box Brown really captured the loneliness of Andre’s life. All of his life he was treated with disdain. People feared him. However, once Andre discovered wrestling, his life changed. When he was in the ring, people loved him, but outside of it, he was an outcast who was feared and tormented by the same people who cheered him. This fear, loneliness, and abuse caused Andre to turn to alcohol to ease his pain; both mental and physical.
After reading this book, I felt that Andre was never comfortable in his body. He couldn’t be alone; or maybe he was afraid to be alone. He truly wished for a normal life; however, that wasn’t possible. Furthermore, Andre was a very flawed man. He was not only an alcoholic but he was a mean and abusive one at that. He made bad decisions and sometimes abused his friends. But it seemed they always forgave him for his shortcomings.
Andre’s body was not his friend. I couldn’t imagine that pain he endured just to remain mobile. However, he never gave up and remained in the ring until the end. Andre lived a full life; but, he lived a very sad and lonely as well. He died alone; but he will always be remembered. He is a true legend; a flawed one but a legend all the same.
Does anyone want a peanut?
Box Brown really captured the loneliness of Andre’s life. All of his life he was treated with disdain. People feared him. However, once Andre discovered wrestling, his life changed. When he was in the ring, people loved him, but outside of it, he was an outcast who was feared and tormented by the same people who cheered him. This fear, loneliness, and abuse caused Andre to turn to alcohol to ease his pain; both mental and physical.
After reading this book, I felt that Andre was never comfortable in his body. He couldn’t be alone; or maybe he was afraid to be alone. He truly wished for a normal life; however, that wasn’t possible. Furthermore, Andre was a very flawed man. He was not only an alcoholic but he was a mean and abusive one at that. He made bad decisions and sometimes abused his friends. But it seemed they always forgave him for his shortcomings.
Andre’s body was not his friend. I couldn’t imagine that pain he endured just to remain mobile. However, he never gave up and remained in the ring until the end. Andre lived a full life; but, he lived a very sad and lonely as well. He died alone; but he will always be remembered. He is a true legend; a flawed one but a legend all the same.
Does anyone want a peanut?