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rebyreadsandwrites's review
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
The art in this book is beautiful and I liked the characters and their friendships. The author is clearly talented. However, I wasn’t expecting this book to be so depressing. Nothing about the cute cover, title, and description prepared me for how heavy-hearted this book would make me feel.
It’s character-driven without much character growth, and I’m not sure the author does the difficult topics justice. There is a small content warning which I missed, but it still wouldn’t have prepared me. It’s not the mention of eating disorders or self-harm that were depressing but the self-hatred.
As someone who dealt with an eating disorder, depression, self harm, and panic attacks as a teenager, I’m trying to think about how this book would have made me feel if I’d read it then and I honestly don’t know. Proceed with caution. It’s not an easy read.
It’s character-driven without much character growth, and I’m not sure the author does the difficult topics justice. There is a small content warning which I missed, but it still wouldn’t have prepared me. It’s not the mention of eating disorders or self-harm that were depressing but the self-hatred.
As someone who dealt with an eating disorder, depression, self harm, and panic attacks as a teenager, I’m trying to think about how this book would have made me feel if I’d read it then and I honestly don’t know. Proceed with caution. It’s not an easy read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Biphobia, Dysphoria, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Eating disorder
emilysbookishlife's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Fatphobia, and Mental illness
Moderate: Biphobia
forgottenangstycharacter's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Self harm, and Fatphobia
Minor: Biphobia
anxiousnachos's review
emotional
3.5
My very first graphic novel! Graphic novels hit hard?! I think I teared up on tram at one point… This was a lovely coming of age story that explored mental health, eating disorders and queerness. The night scenes in particular are absolutely stunning, the colours are GORGEOUS and really help capture the emotion of the scene.
May need to try another graphic novel now… Thank you Allen&Unwin for the ARC!
Content warnings: Internalised fatphobia, depression, anxiety, eating disorder, fatphobia, fatphobic comments, alcoholism, biphobia, self-harm, suicidal ideation
May need to try another graphic novel now… Thank you Allen&Unwin for the ARC!
Content warnings: Internalised fatphobia, depression, anxiety, eating disorder, fatphobia, fatphobic comments, alcoholism, biphobia, self-harm, suicidal ideation
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, and Biphobia
vidya_is_vidya's review
4.0
this was such a cute graphic novel
i adore win and her friends
i adore win and her friends
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Biphobia
inkdrinkers's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
This graphic novel now has a piece of me.
Focused on the story of Winifred, it follows her through her discovery of love, self worth, and the intricacies of aging. I won't lie, a lot of the scenes resonated heavily with me, especially regarding Winifred and her struggles with her body and restricted eating. It absolutely does an amazing job at explaining how difficult it is to grow up in a larger body and feel like everyone is judging you for your appearance.
The side plots with April and Oscar both going through their own journeys with self expression and sexuality were so well done. And I absolutely loved the art and quiet ending of the book - it made it feel like this was just the beginning of Winifred's story.
Focused on the story of Winifred, it follows her through her discovery of love, self worth, and the intricacies of aging. I won't lie, a lot of the scenes resonated heavily with me, especially regarding Winifred and her struggles with her body and restricted eating. It absolutely does an amazing job at explaining how difficult it is to grow up in a larger body and feel like everyone is judging you for your appearance.
The side plots with April and Oscar both going through their own journeys with self expression and sexuality were so well done. And I absolutely loved the art and quiet ending of the book - it made it feel like this was just the beginning of Winifred's story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Self harm, Body shaming, Biphobia, and Homophobia
Mental health is a pretty heavy focus in this book. Scars are shown, characters have internalized homophobia and biphobia. A character is slut shamed.betweentheshelves's review
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
I know this graphic novel just came out a few weeks ago, but why aren't more people talking about it? There is so much to love about it, from the way difficult issues are handled (eating disorders, depression, panic attacks, sexuality, therapy) to the emotions to the characters. They're all handled with grace and it 100% has found a home on the YA graphic novel shelf.
Following the story of Winifred, just starting her sophomore year of high school and ready to reinvent herself since her best friends have moved to different schools. In her art class, she forms a relationship with fellow outcasts April and Oscar. As they get closer, Winifred starts to come out of her shell. But there's one thing she's been holding back, and it just might cost her her friendship.
Let's start with the art. I am absolutely in love with the color palette, as I think it just suits the story really well. The way that Searle uses color and line to depict Winifred's emotions, especially as it relates to her anxiety. There are some gorgeous panels thorughout this book, and I'm happy to say that the writing matches the art.
The inclusion of the zine that Winifred, Oscar, and April added to the complextiy of the emotions in the story, and reflects their friendship throughout. Searle also handles each of their different stories with care, especially when it comes to mental health. It feels realistic and authentic, which isn't always easy to do in graphic novel format.
All in all, there is so much to love about this graphic novel. You'll fall in love with the characters, and also with the writing and the art.
Following the story of Winifred, just starting her sophomore year of high school and ready to reinvent herself since her best friends have moved to different schools. In her art class, she forms a relationship with fellow outcasts April and Oscar. As they get closer, Winifred starts to come out of her shell. But there's one thing she's been holding back, and it just might cost her her friendship.
Let's start with the art. I am absolutely in love with the color palette, as I think it just suits the story really well. The way that Searle uses color and line to depict Winifred's emotions, especially as it relates to her anxiety. There are some gorgeous panels thorughout this book, and I'm happy to say that the writing matches the art.
The inclusion of the zine that Winifred, Oscar, and April added to the complextiy of the emotions in the story, and reflects their friendship throughout. Searle also handles each of their different stories with care, especially when it comes to mental health. It feels realistic and authentic, which isn't always easy to do in graphic novel format.
All in all, there is so much to love about this graphic novel. You'll fall in love with the characters, and also with the writing and the art.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Minor: Biphobia, Homophobia, and Self harm
crosberg's review
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
What a perfect book for my first read of 2022! For the weird, artsy, LGBTQ+ kids, The Greatest Thing is a love letter to our teen selves. It's gentle and kind with tough topics like eating disorders and gender identity, tackling them head on with unflinching grace and bravery. The book is totally appropriate for YA readers and some advanced middle grade ones, and serves as an excellent reminder of just how important our friends and our dreams are.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Fatphobia, and Mental illness
Minor: Biphobia, Body shaming, Dysphoria, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
Though the book does mention a lot of tough topics that I've added as content warnings, it does so kindly and in age appropriate ways for teen readers. The kids are all supported by caring friends and loving, qualified adults.
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