Scan barcode
bookish_capricorn's review
4.0
Horrifying but the art works perfectly with the unsettling nature of the story and just a great example of horror.
shea_proulx's review
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
tani's review
5.0
This review is for both volume 1 and volume 2, since I basically mainlined them.
I really truly loved these volumes. They are fantastic! They are also disturbing proof to me that I need to make reading diversely a higher priority goal. Like, I always have it in the back of my mind, but I do not often follow through on that. This is bad. I need to work harder on it.
I basically could not stop reading the first volume of this. I was so horrified by the racism that Lee and her father face that I felt almost sick to my stomach, and I just couldn't help but root for Lee and hope that she would be able to overcome the obstacles in her path. Lee, for the record, is an amazing character.
The second volume introduces more of a fantastical element to the story. There are hints of it in the first volume, but it's all out there in the second. It reminded me of Alice in Wonderland, but with so much more menace and horror. I loved the creatures that Lee encounters and seeing just what they get up to. The drawings are pretty fantastic as well.
My big disappointment from this is that it is apparently not finished. I have spent a lot of time searching for more of this story, but it does not seem to exist yet. I did see some rumors that volume 3 would be out in 2015? Except it's 2016, so obviously not. I just hope that the rest of the story eventually gets published because I am all in for it.
I really truly loved these volumes. They are fantastic! They are also disturbing proof to me that I need to make reading diversely a higher priority goal. Like, I always have it in the back of my mind, but I do not often follow through on that. This is bad. I need to work harder on it.
I basically could not stop reading the first volume of this. I was so horrified by the racism that Lee and her father face that I felt almost sick to my stomach, and I just couldn't help but root for Lee and hope that she would be able to overcome the obstacles in her path. Lee, for the record, is an amazing character.
The second volume introduces more of a fantastical element to the story. There are hints of it in the first volume, but it's all out there in the second. It reminded me of Alice in Wonderland, but with so much more menace and horror. I loved the creatures that Lee encounters and seeing just what they get up to. The drawings are pretty fantastic as well.
My big disappointment from this is that it is apparently not finished. I have spent a lot of time searching for more of this story, but it does not seem to exist yet. I did see some rumors that volume 3 would be out in 2015? Except it's 2016, so obviously not. I just hope that the rest of the story eventually gets published because I am all in for it.
jessdlibrarian's review against another edition
1.0
I was impressed and scared by Bayou. The illustrations are breathtaking and at time horrifying. The story really fit the setting of the bayou, a beautiful, mysterious, and dangerous place...as was Mississippi in 1933. The story was a mix of history and fantasy. I really enjoyed the historical part, but the fantasy part was a little too scary for me. I couldn't imagine a child reading this and seeing pictures of dead Billy, the hanged men, the table of skulls, or Lee shooting Cotton Eyed Joe. It honestly gave me nightmares, and I still shudder thinking about it. Yet, there are some loveable characters as well. Lee's father is strong and sweet. He does a good job of raising his brave daughter and defending her when he must. Yet, he will not admit to a wrong he didn't commit. Bayou is an interesting character, but pretty gross with his decaying body and five year old mind. But soon he becomes brave and decides to help Lee on her journey to save Lily. The story had both positive and negative points, but I don't think I would recommend it for anyone under the age of 12.
lerat42's review against another edition
4.0
A great example of how powerful a graphic novel can be.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great graphic novel. It starts with 2 girls playing, one white, one black, in a time when they shouldn't be playing. Soon the white girl disappears in the bayou and the black girls dad gets blamed.
The bayou is a scary place with real monsters in it, but our heroine braves it all. She is a truly brave little girl.
The injustice here kills me, but that's how it was. He creates a good story, and with the magical bayou elements. After having finished it I do want more
The bayou is a scary place with real monsters in it, but our heroine braves it all. She is a truly brave little girl.
The injustice here kills me, but that's how it was. He creates a good story, and with the magical bayou elements. After having finished it I do want more
bdfarber13's review against another edition
4.0
The art is really beautiful, and the story, while difficult, is interesting and engaging. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about a fantastical element to the Jim Crow-era South, but it really worked. The imagination and creativity is wonderful.
saidtheraina's review against another edition
4.0
Really engaging world. I love the way that Love draws nonhuman characters.
Two little girls play by a spring, and one of them disappears. The other girl's father is wrongfully blamed. Racism, lots of blood, and a pretty horrifying dinner table all come into play.
The mixed-media effect of the illustrations is really interesting too - many panels include visible pencil line tracings.
It's all about the monster/creatures for me, tho.
Two little girls play by a spring, and one of them disappears. The other girl's father is wrongfully blamed. Racism, lots of blood, and a pretty horrifying dinner table all come into play.
The mixed-media effect of the illustrations is really interesting too - many panels include visible pencil line tracings.
It's all about the monster/creatures for me, tho.