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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.
brireads97's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you NetGalley for providing an arc for Mothballs
This story truly tugged at my heart strings. Grief has always been complicated and seeing it an perspective of a young woman discovering the truth of her origins brings a set of challenges
This story truly tugged at my heart strings. Grief has always been complicated and seeing it an perspective of a young woman discovering the truth of her origins brings a set of challenges
elnorman's review against another edition
4.0
(Reviewing e-ARC through Netgalley.) An engaging and beautifully illustrated graphic novel about multiple generations of a family in Italy and Argentina. Strong and interesting female characters. Recommended.
lattelibrarian's review
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
As a family drama, this graphic novel makes for an introspective slice of life. Rocio moves into the house her grandmother left her and begins wondering whether her ghost still inhabits it. She struggles with her friendships and her relationship with her mother, which gets her thinking of her grandmother's life as an immigrant and all that she endured: is it possible that they're the same? Does family misery skip generations?
I loved the art style and how color was used in this graphic novel. Definitely a good read.
I loved the art style and how color was used in this graphic novel. Definitely a good read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
livlamentloathe's review
Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy!
Annoyingly, my digital copy only included the first 200 pages so I only know the first half of the book. From what I read, I think I liked the book! It was confusing the way it narrated using "you" while speaking of the past. I couldn't always tell who it referred to. I think it would've cleared up more by the end, but I can't speak to that yet.
I liked the coloring and style. And the way the panels tracked the various rooms and character motion throughout.
Annoyingly, my digital copy only included the first 200 pages so I only know the first half of the book. From what I read, I think I liked the book! It was confusing the way it narrated using "you" while speaking of the past. I couldn't always tell who it referred to. I think it would've cleared up more by the end, but I can't speak to that yet.
I liked the coloring and style. And the way the panels tracked the various rooms and character motion throughout.
anisyrah's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Mothballs is revolutionary in its artistic exploration of the family saga and the ways in which generational trauma and choices impact future ones.
Otero's art style is absolutely stunning, and the way in which her designs change, both big and small, to tell a story—especially its most haunting and heart-wrenching beats—is a feat. Otero's voice and art is welcomed warmly to the canon of generational family sagas and seeks to answer in Mothballs a life-long question: how do the choices of those who came before us impact our existence?
Thank you to Fantagraphics Books and NetGalley for the partial ARC! All opinions are my own.
Otero's art style is absolutely stunning, and the way in which her designs change, both big and small, to tell a story—especially its most haunting and heart-wrenching beats—is a feat. Otero's voice and art is welcomed warmly to the canon of generational family sagas and seeks to answer in Mothballs a life-long question: how do the choices of those who came before us impact our existence?
Thank you to Fantagraphics Books and NetGalley for the partial ARC! All opinions are my own.
taketwolu's review against another edition
A family saga about a teenager (Buenos Aires, 2001) uncovering her grandma’s past and truth about her family history (Italy 20 C, Argentina 21 C) following her grandma’s passing. We explore misogyny, s3xual vi0lence, generational trauma, h0mophobia, alc0holism, fleeing a country, and other family tragedies. The artwork is colorful and draws parallels between the granddaughter and grandmother as it captures the complexities of family dynamics and history.
Thanks NetGalley and Fantagraphics for my copy!
neatens's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
3.0
✨ARC Review✨
📚Mothballs by Sole Otero📚
Publication Date: August 13, 2024
In life, we are so easy to judge everyone without even knowing the true character of a person. This story follows a girl named, Ro, as she slowly opens a story about her grandmother — who recently passed away. It was captivating and heartwarming. This is such a wonderful story that captivated my heart. The illustrations were not the same as the modern mangas I read but it took me back to the earlier years. It was nostalgic and the story is contemporary that many of us can relate to.
Why did I rate it that way? Because this one isn’t finish which I hope it is. Anyway, it was a good and quick read!
📚Mothballs by Sole Otero📚
Publication Date: August 13, 2024
In life, we are so easy to judge everyone without even knowing the true character of a person. This story follows a girl named, Ro, as she slowly opens a story about her grandmother — who recently passed away. It was captivating and heartwarming. This is such a wonderful story that captivated my heart. The illustrations were not the same as the modern mangas I read but it took me back to the earlier years. It was nostalgic and the story is contemporary that many of us can relate to.
Why did I rate it that way? Because this one isn’t finish which I hope it is. Anyway, it was a good and quick read!