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yasminnnali's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
apageoutofmybook's review
3.0
arc provided on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
This is based on the true story of a woman named Emma, who became a Michelin star inspector.
I didn’t know too much about Michelin stars, so that aspect of the book was interesting. I liked seeing Emma travel and try all sorts of different food, and how much detail went into the descriptions of the different food,
The book didn’t completely hook me though, and I don’t think I’m interested enough to read another volume. I found myself a bit bored at times, and was reading just to finish.
This is based on the true story of a woman named Emma, who became a Michelin star inspector.
I didn’t know too much about Michelin stars, so that aspect of the book was interesting. I liked seeing Emma travel and try all sorts of different food, and how much detail went into the descriptions of the different food,
The book didn’t completely hook me though, and I don’t think I’m interested enough to read another volume. I found myself a bit bored at times, and was reading just to finish.
quirkycatsfatstacks's review against another edition
4.0
It isn't every day that you get to see a graphic novel based on a true story, so when Emma Dreams of Stars popped up on my radar, I knew I had to give it a try. Created by Julia Pavlowitch, Kan Takahama, and Emmanuelle Maisonneuve, Emma Dreams of Stars tells the story of a former Michelin Guide Inspector.
Young Emma always had one dream in life: to find her way into the world of Michelin Guides by becoming a food inspector. It's a dream she worked hard at, and now it seems to finally be about to come true. This is the true story of how she got here.
Remember, Emma is a real person, and this story really did happen. The depictions of the harsh life of a food critic are very much real, though most likely never thought to consider the details of those lives. I know I didn't.
If you've ever been curious about what it is like to be a food critic (in France, no less!), then you really ought to read Emma Dreams of Stars. The fact that the story is told in a graphic novel format allows for visual elements and is an overall shorter read.
I enjoyed the format of Emma's story. It added a lot to the visual side of things. Admittedly, I think more time could have been spent letting readers know Emma first. Perhaps this wouldn't have been an issue if I went into it knowing more about her work? I can't say.
Emma Dreams of Stars had a lot going for it, including the accurate portrayal of a person's real life. This included many personal moments and industry-specific issues such as gender discrimination and the exhaustion/loneliness that can come from constant travel and isolation.
Thanks to Vertical Comics for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Comics
Young Emma always had one dream in life: to find her way into the world of Michelin Guides by becoming a food inspector. It's a dream she worked hard at, and now it seems to finally be about to come true. This is the true story of how she got here.
Remember, Emma is a real person, and this story really did happen. The depictions of the harsh life of a food critic are very much real, though most likely never thought to consider the details of those lives. I know I didn't.
If you've ever been curious about what it is like to be a food critic (in France, no less!), then you really ought to read Emma Dreams of Stars. The fact that the story is told in a graphic novel format allows for visual elements and is an overall shorter read.
I enjoyed the format of Emma's story. It added a lot to the visual side of things. Admittedly, I think more time could have been spent letting readers know Emma first. Perhaps this wouldn't have been an issue if I went into it knowing more about her work? I can't say.
Emma Dreams of Stars had a lot going for it, including the accurate portrayal of a person's real life. This included many personal moments and industry-specific issues such as gender discrimination and the exhaustion/loneliness that can come from constant travel and isolation.
Thanks to Vertical Comics for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Comics
travelseatsreads's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Emma Dreams of Stars is the story of Emmanuelle Maisonneuve, a young female in France who fought her way through the usual misogynistic stereotypes to be the first female Michelin Guide inspector.
I can't describe how much I absolutely adored this manga/graphic novel, I had a constant little smile on my face for each page and honestly was a little sad when it ended.
The story is told so well with a balance of the battle Emma had against the usual "you're a woman this job won't suit" arguments contrasted to the sheer joy and pleasure she experienced while tasting some amazing food.
The food, oh the food. The illustrations in this were absolutely fantastic, a perfect mix between cartoony on occasion with others that actually looked like a photograph of fresh fish just sitting on the page. Both the descriptions of the food and the drawings had my belly rumbling throughout.
I'm so so glad I read this and really would love a second volume. What else did she eat? Where did she go?
What happened with her relationships?
An absolute must read for fans of manga/graphic novels and foodies alike!
Thank you to Kodansha & Netgalley for this review copy.
I can't describe how much I absolutely adored this manga/graphic novel, I had a constant little smile on my face for each page and honestly was a little sad when it ended.
The story is told so well with a balance of the battle Emma had against the usual "you're a woman this job won't suit" arguments contrasted to the sheer joy and pleasure she experienced while tasting some amazing food.
The food, oh the food. The illustrations in this were absolutely fantastic, a perfect mix between cartoony on occasion with others that actually looked like a photograph of fresh fish just sitting on the page. Both the descriptions of the food and the drawings had my belly rumbling throughout.
I'm so so glad I read this and really would love a second volume. What else did she eat? Where did she go?
What happened with her relationships?
An absolute must read for fans of manga/graphic novels and foodies alike!
Thank you to Kodansha & Netgalley for this review copy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
cosmicspoons's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
3.0
Advertised as a “peek into the gourmet guide”, Emma Dreams of Stars is exactly that. It was interesting to learn about the true inter workings of the Michelin guide and see the inspectors as what they are (they’re humans, with emotions, by the way), but what really drew me in was the art.
Emma’s story was so sweet, but I wouldn’t exactly call it inspiring (though that’s a claim the book itself never made). Her coworkers doubted if she’d really want the career at first, but it got relatively brushed over, which I wasn’t expecting.
It’s nothing to write home about, but it was a good read during a slow business day. Also— I don’t think it’s going to find its target audience in the manga section, but I digress.
kiki86's review against another edition
5.0
I received an e-copy to review from NetGalley for an honest review.
So glad I choose this to read. It’s about a young women with an incredible pallet working with in Paris as a food inspector, finding the best restaurants.
I love how the main character was a young women who was working in a “mans job” and kicking butt. I loved that this was a biographical novel. I loved how the author described the food in this novel. Was really making me hungry. After finishing this graphic novel I feel like I want to go to Paris and try some of this cuisine.
So glad I choose this to read. It’s about a young women with an incredible pallet working with in Paris as a food inspector, finding the best restaurants.
I love how the main character was a young women who was working in a “mans job” and kicking butt. I loved that this was a biographical novel. I loved how the author described the food in this novel. Was really making me hungry. After finishing this graphic novel I feel like I want to go to Paris and try some of this cuisine.
house_of_hannah's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you so much to Kodansha Comics and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC; it is greatly appreciated.
I am an American who lives in France with my French husband, so I was super intrigued by the setting, and that this is originally a French publication. It was fantastic to see tiny places such as Montauban mentioned. This really felt like a nice introduction to France for English speakers.
The art in this felt perfect for the story; the food looked so delicious, and I wanted to be friends with all the characters. The talk of French cuisine being so sauce heavy was spot on ! I'm not sure if this is just a one-shot, but I would love to see another volume, as this is just a nice, feel good, story.
The one thing I found a little strange was Emma's relationship with Thomas. We only "see" this character through texts, but he is apparently her boyfriend. He gets upset with her for lack of communication, and I honestly side with him, as she left to Japan for a week without telling him or contacting him once the entire trip. I mean...isn't that ghosting ? She never seemed into him through the entire story, so I'm not sure why she kept stringing him along. Luckily, this is a very tiny part of the book.
I am an American who lives in France with my French husband, so I was super intrigued by the setting, and that this is originally a French publication. It was fantastic to see tiny places such as Montauban mentioned. This really felt like a nice introduction to France for English speakers.
The art in this felt perfect for the story; the food looked so delicious, and I wanted to be friends with all the characters. The talk of French cuisine being so sauce heavy was spot on ! I'm not sure if this is just a one-shot, but I would love to see another volume, as this is just a nice, feel good, story.
The one thing I found a little strange was Emma's relationship with Thomas. We only "see" this character through texts, but he is apparently her boyfriend. He gets upset with her for lack of communication, and I honestly side with him, as she left to Japan for a week without telling him or contacting him once the entire trip. I mean...isn't that ghosting ? She never seemed into him through the entire story, so I'm not sure why she kept stringing him along. Luckily, this is a very tiny part of the book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Toxic relationship
mitchie100's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
If you are a food lover or just interested in the culinary world and everything related to it in general, this manga is for you. Emma is the first female michelin inspector and this manga gives us a peek behind the curtain of the culinary world and the world of foodies and inspectors. It's important to note that this manga should be read from left to right rather than the right to left which i had gotten used to. The art looked really fun and i loved how the food was drawn. It just looks so delicious and the way they described the food in detail was mouthwatering. One might complain that it seems info dumpy but i give it a pass because it's the first volume and it is setting up the series. I really liked the protagonist though i do hope that they delve more into her character in layer volumes but i enjoy following her and her dreams to become a michelin inspector.
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