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chovind's review
- 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
Moderate: Rape and Homophobia
angeldevoursliterature's review
- 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
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!
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
- 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
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
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Addiction
cadence99's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Fantagraphics for this ARC
Graphic: Homophobia and Rape
Moderate: Transphobia, Death, Miscarriage, Sexism, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Emotional abuse, Grief, Hate crime, Infertility, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Minor: Outing, War, Domestic abuse, and Deadnaming
caitandthelibrary's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Rape, Alcoholism, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Sexual violence
Minor: War
rainasage's review
- 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
3.5
Mothballs is an emotional read perfect for any reader who enjoys multi-generational family sagas and complex familial dynamics. Rocio's struggle to live up to her family's expectations is relatable and her recounting of her grandmother and great grandmother's pasts are full of emotion and depth. The art style is very fluid and colorful, and I personally found it appealing.
The translation of the text to English is also well done but I will say, for me personally, the cursive sections were quite difficult to read.
based on where the story ended in the digital arc I was provided (about 2/3rds of the way through) I'd give this book about 3.5 stars because I wasn't able to read the emotional resolution to the plot, but I imagine the whole text with the full resolution may deserve a higher rating than that.
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Emotional abuse