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angeldevoursliterature's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Mothballs begins with 19-year old Rocio inheriting her grandmother Vilma's house after she passed away. Struck by the low turn-out at the funeral, Ro uncovers a hidden family history of hardships and resilience. The story weaves between Italy at the beginning of the 20th century and Argentina in the 21st, drawing paralells between Vilma and Ro's lives. Despite being pressured to meet familly and societal expectations, both women remain strong-willed and yearn for independence. Ro embarks on a journey of self-discover whilst honoring her grandmother's memory.
This was a worthwhile read :D .
I couldn't put it down since page one. It was well-written. I liked how the flashbacks were weaved thoroughly in the narrative without making it confusing to read.
The illustrations are lovely and vibrant. Personally, I think it would be better if the cursive font used for the dialogues are changed. Would love to read the rest of the story.
This is a review of the first 200 pages of Mothballs provided by Fantagraphics Books on Netgalley. Thank you for the copy!
This was a worthwhile read :D .
I couldn't put it down since page one. It was well-written. I liked how the flashbacks were weaved thoroughly in the narrative without making it confusing to read.
The illustrations are lovely and vibrant. Personally, I think it would be better if the cursive font used for the dialogues are changed. Would love to read the rest of the story.
This is a review of the first 200 pages of Mothballs provided by Fantagraphics Books on Netgalley. Thank you for the copy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Rape, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Deadnaming, Domestic abuse, and Cursing
justgraceanne's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Thank you to NetGalley and Fantagraphics Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I absolutely adore graphic novels and find the format to be great for memoirs, so this book was right up my alley.
To begin with, this book is HEAVY. Physically, it's only a few hundred pages, but mentally and emotionally, this is a rough book to finish. I knew that it dealt with heavy themes going in, but unlike other books that deal with similar subjects, the only reprieve you get is saying "oh look, a cat," every fifty pages.
Speaking of finishing the book, though, NetGalley ARC readers are only given the first 200 pages of a 336 page book, so I find it very difficult to properly review this story.
Pro: The art-style and color palette were both unique, and I really enjoyed that aspect!
Con: The cursive was really hard to read on my phone, I wish this had been available to read through it on my desktop. I'm not sure if that would have helped but maybe?
Pro: This was my first book I've ever read set in 20th and 21st century Argentina, and I really enjoyed venturing into the culture and rich history of the country and the family in the story
If I'm able to read this book once it's released, I can read the full book and update my review. I didn't want to select any stars, since I'm unable to properly judge the full book without the ending.
NetGalley says I have to, so I'll do it in the middle at 3 stars.
CW:
- parental abuse
- rape
- homophobic slurs
- gaslighting
- homophobic violence
- sexual violence
I absolutely adore graphic novels and find the format to be great for memoirs, so this book was right up my alley.
To begin with, this book is HEAVY. Physically, it's only a few hundred pages, but mentally and emotionally, this is a rough book to finish. I knew that it dealt with heavy themes going in, but unlike other books that deal with similar subjects, the only reprieve you get is saying "oh look, a cat," every fifty pages.
Speaking of finishing the book, though, NetGalley ARC readers are only given the first 200 pages of a 336 page book, so I find it very difficult to properly review this story.
Pro: The art-style and color palette were both unique, and I really enjoyed that aspect!
Con: The cursive was really hard to read on my phone, I wish this had been available to read through it on my desktop. I'm not sure if that would have helped but maybe?
Pro: This was my first book I've ever read set in 20th and 21st century Argentina, and I really enjoyed venturing into the culture and rich history of the country and the family in the story
If I'm able to read this book once it's released, I can read the full book and update my review. I didn't want to select any stars, since I'm unable to properly judge the full book without the ending.
NetGalley says I have to, so I'll do it in the middle at 3 stars.
CW:
- parental abuse
- rape
- homophobic slurs
- gaslighting
- homophobic violence
- sexual violence
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Addiction
readsforlove's review
3.0
Well, that was depressing. Story wise, this was heavy and sad and hard to get through. I'm not sure if the story was based on the real lives of the author's family, but it felt that way. I didn't like any of the characters, and while I was sad for how circumstances shaped them, everyone was so selfish and cruel to each other that I left the story feeling sick to my stomach and all around depresso-espresso.
The stars come for the art style, though. I was surprised by a few nude images, so just a heads up for readers. But this was styled so beautifully, and the colors and creativity that went into it took my breath away. I love it when graphic novels really play into their medium. This story wouldn't have worked the same if told in any other format, which is important, in my opinion, to having a great graphic novel. I enjoyed just gazing at the art work, even while the story ripped my heart out and stomped on it.
Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc.
The stars come for the art style, though. I was surprised by a few nude images, so just a heads up for readers. But this was styled so beautifully, and the colors and creativity that went into it took my breath away. I love it when graphic novels really play into their medium. This story wouldn't have worked the same if told in any other format, which is important, in my opinion, to having a great graphic novel. I enjoyed just gazing at the art work, even while the story ripped my heart out and stomped on it.
Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexism, and Physical abuse
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