Scan barcode
kassikassi44's review against another edition
5.0
beautiful art!! this book was so sweet and so lovely. loved the storytelling and the mother son relationship:))
agmaynard's review against another edition
3.25
Debut, a bit overstuffed, which meant a bit less focused storytelling. Lushly illustrated for the fairy tale portions. Warmth of friends and family a plus. Love the school dance moment.
freshasadaisy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
elviraqc's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jules__'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
It took me a few tries before I read through the whole book, just because I have never been into fairy tales that much. The lovely colours and sleek design did speak to me and the colour differentiation between now, the past and fairy tales added to the clarity of the story.
I also enjoyed reading at the end about the motivation and choices in clothing of the writer. This was a great enjoyable read overall.
I also enjoyed reading at the end about the motivation and choices in clothing of the writer. This was a great enjoyable read overall.
middumullu's review against another edition
4.75
i love graphic novels that have multiple stories going on and discuss the importance of storytelling for connection. also the outfits were gorgeous and the coloring was really nice.
dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
In a semi-autobiographical take on his coming out experience to his family and friends, Trung Le Nguyen transports readers to the heart of connection through the love of stories in spite of hate and fear.
Not only is this just a graphic novel with pretty illustrations, Trung Le Nguyen has readers sucked into the heart of the story: whether that would be Tiến in the present trying to figure out how he can come out to his family or Tien’s mom reflecting on the sacrifices she’s made to become a U.S. citizen or the various fairytales Tiến reads to his mother.
Full of heart despite the darker topics addressed in the book, readers will absolutely love the underlying message that happy endings are for everyone. If you’re looking for a graphic novel with coming out themes amidst examinations of fairytales throughout the world, you will definitely want to read The Magic Fish.
Not only is this just a graphic novel with pretty illustrations, Trung Le Nguyen has readers sucked into the heart of the story: whether that would be Tiến in the present trying to figure out how he can come out to his family or Tien’s mom reflecting on the sacrifices she’s made to become a U.S. citizen or the various fairytales Tiến reads to his mother.
Full of heart despite the darker topics addressed in the book, readers will absolutely love the underlying message that happy endings are for everyone. If you’re looking for a graphic novel with coming out themes amidst examinations of fairytales throughout the world, you will definitely want to read The Magic Fish.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Homophobia, and Death
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Blood, Gore, and Outing
Minor: War and Cannibalism
siren_oleander3's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lostxxboy's review against another edition
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this graphic novel. I loved the fairytale retellings it had from a different cultural perspective, and I loved the characters that were reading these stories.
The ending made me cry.
Read this.
The ending made me cry.
Read this.
bbqxaxiu's review against another edition
4.0
The relationship between the mother and son teaches us that while communicating in broken tongues is limited and results in an opaque understanding of one another, this is less a symptom of your effort than it is of the vast divide that must be traversed. And that ultimately, there is hope, as your intention will travel where words cannot.
Go read this! The Magic Fish is one of my favorite works from the Vietnamese diaspora, and I recommend it to anyone
Go read this! The Magic Fish is one of my favorite works from the Vietnamese diaspora, and I recommend it to anyone