Scan barcode
itslorei's review against another edition
3.0
First things first, I realised that the copy I had was cut and it ended abruptly, but obviously, I had gotten a gist and was pretty invested in the whole family unravelling.
The whole shared traits between one generation and other generations are something that usually is an offensive call out between family topics, which can also be seen here. Other than that, the prejudices and making judgements of of someone just speaks so loud here.
The artwork is definitely beautiful as well, that complement the mood of the story. I think my issue is the legibility of the dialogues, which were difficult to read most of the time.
I honestly want to read the whole thing, so I'll get my own copy soon.
The whole shared traits between one generation and other generations are something that usually is an offensive call out between family topics, which can also be seen here. Other than that, the prejudices and making judgements of of someone just speaks so loud here.
The artwork is definitely beautiful as well, that complement the mood of the story. I think my issue is the legibility of the dialogues, which were difficult to read most of the time.
I honestly want to read the whole thing, so I'll get my own copy soon.
erinnh's review against another edition
4.0
Mothballs is a must-read. I was immediately drawn in by the art style. I love the bold color palette and illustrative style, and how changes in color and style were used to compliment and progress the narrative. The graphics really added another layer of nuance to the storytelling.
Aside from the visuals, the story was also captivating. The characters and their relationships with one another held my interest throughout. The whole narrative is told through the perspective and knowledge of the granddaughter, and the story is definitely shaped by that. I will say that the ending is abrupt, but I actually liked that. It felt fitting that the narrator’s exploration of her family’s past and secrets wouldn’t be wrapped up so neatly with a bow at her age. I think the story will resonate with anyone who has reflected on their own family and had to reckon with how old secrets or events may play out in their own lives.
*Thank you to NetGalley, Fantagraphics Books, and Sole Otero for providing a free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
Aside from the visuals, the story was also captivating. The characters and their relationships with one another held my interest throughout. The whole narrative is told through the perspective and knowledge of the granddaughter, and the story is definitely shaped by that. I will say that the ending is abrupt, but I actually liked that. It felt fitting that the narrator’s exploration of her family’s past and secrets wouldn’t be wrapped up so neatly with a bow at her age. I think the story will resonate with anyone who has reflected on their own family and had to reckon with how old secrets or events may play out in their own lives.
*Thank you to NetGalley, Fantagraphics Books, and Sole Otero for providing a free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
sararose_cozy's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Fantagraphics for this ARC. My review is 100% my own.
Set to release in August of 2024, Mothballs is a beautiful graphic novel set in Argentina following Rocío, a teenage woman who after the funeral of her grandmother, moves into her grandmother’s house which was left to her and uncovers the story of her grandmother’s past. Believing her grandmother was unliked, she realizes the truth of the past and how it can affect one’s life and poses the question of “is it possible to stop repeating the mistakes of the past”?
This books has hands down the most incredible visual story telling I have ever seen. More is being said/shown than what we get to read as written text. It’s is incredibly moving and poetic.
We see themes of persecution, religious trauma, generational trauma, and sexual violence.
The sexual violence plays a big role in this story and is depicted in a very poetic, however, graphic way.
The text is in handwritten cursive which is beautiful, but I found it somewhat hard to read at times.
Although the story of this family was emotionally moving and beautifully told, I found the ending abrupt. I believe this was done on purpose by the author, to leave it as an open-ended question, but I’m a sucker for endings with no loose ends. Some questions go unanswered which is hard for me to sit with.
I want a physical copy of this book for the artwork alone!
Set to release in August of 2024, Mothballs is a beautiful graphic novel set in Argentina following Rocío, a teenage woman who after the funeral of her grandmother, moves into her grandmother’s house which was left to her and uncovers the story of her grandmother’s past. Believing her grandmother was unliked, she realizes the truth of the past and how it can affect one’s life and poses the question of “is it possible to stop repeating the mistakes of the past”?
This books has hands down the most incredible visual story telling I have ever seen. More is being said/shown than what we get to read as written text. It’s is incredibly moving and poetic.
We see themes of persecution, religious trauma, generational trauma, and sexual violence.
The sexual violence plays a big role in this story and is depicted in a very poetic, however, graphic way.
The text is in handwritten cursive which is beautiful, but I found it somewhat hard to read at times.
Although the story of this family was emotionally moving and beautifully told, I found the ending abrupt. I believe this was done on purpose by the author, to leave it as an open-ended question, but I’m a sucker for endings with no loose ends. Some questions go unanswered which is hard for me to sit with.
I want a physical copy of this book for the artwork alone!
casey_h's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Thanks NetGalley and Fantagraphics for this arc
4/5 stars
This was an emotional partial story, and it really is a disservice it just ends with over 100 pages left. I enjoyed what I read so far, but the art and the cursive writing were a little busy and muddled at times - however that is probably just bc I'm reading it on my phone. I'm interested to finish this and get the whole story so I can give a proper review
4/5 stars
This was an emotional partial story, and it really is a disservice it just ends with over 100 pages left. I enjoyed what I read so far, but the art and the cursive writing were a little busy and muddled at times - however that is probably just bc I'm reading it on my phone. I'm interested to finish this and get the whole story so I can give a proper review
kebs's review
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
chovind's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Homophobia
coffeedrool's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ARC
labelleetoile_'s review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
cholton427's review
4.25
This book was a treat that I didn't know I had at first. I initially started the book months ago and didn't connect with it at all and put it down and forgot about it. When I picked it back up, I had no recollection of what I read or what the plot was meant to be. So I started fresh, going in blind, and really loved what I found.
This story is about the family stories that drip down the generations and seep into the people who only know bits and pieces of a life but hold it as they continue on their life. As someone who has inherited a home that is seeped with memories, both good and bad, this book really struck me. I think it does a great job of mixing the physical and spiritual bits that are left behind from a life. I really liked the art style too. It was very interactive and somehow both awkward and soft.
I would recommend this book to folks who want to remember, even if there is pain in that act.
Thank you NetGalley and Fantagraphics Books for the ARC.
This story is about the family stories that drip down the generations and seep into the people who only know bits and pieces of a life but hold it as they continue on their life. As someone who has inherited a home that is seeped with memories, both good and bad, this book really struck me. I think it does a great job of mixing the physical and spiritual bits that are left behind from a life. I really liked the art style too. It was very interactive and somehow both awkward and soft.
I would recommend this book to folks who want to remember, even if there is pain in that act.
Thank you NetGalley and Fantagraphics Books for the ARC.