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chadstep's review against another edition
3.0
Challenging—I believe this is a translation from the Greek; nonetheless, the storytelling is complex, layered and historical fiction. I appreciated the graphic novel format to better illustrate the setting through clothing, architecture, and art of the time period. Not sure who I would recommend this to—the beginning scholar, the historical fiction enthusiast, the Greek culture fan, the graphic novel lover—but it covers a lot of bases and ticks a lot of boxes I don’t regularly get to.
infernal's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
4.5
linneahedvig's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this would be more about democracy. It was, peripherally, but it was also about a lot of other ancient Greek political intrigues. I did learn a lot more about Greek history.
steveatwaywords's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
While I won't pretend that this is the mostly artful or carefully-crafted graphic novel I have read, its topic, breadth, and insights into a nuanced history of the Western myth of democracy is here accessible and needed. Kawa, Papadatos, and DiDonna push hard against our glorification of narratives, of binaries of good/evil, heroes/villains, and of destinies and closures. For this, I am appreciative of their work which still (and ever will) challenge our politics. We are too easily sold a "story of the week" from our media (and from the lips of politicos and their cronies); we too easily sell ourselves.
Told from the view of a semi-reliable everyman, the story is especially potent, as he attempts to build "his truth" from the many rumors and many slivers of events he touches.
How historically accurate is it? The authors themselves note importantly that both historians and primary sources of ancient days are contradictory: and it is this uncertainty which empowers their storyline. Not to be read as history, then, but as a point of discussion of its ideas, this is a worthy and significant read!
Told from the view of a semi-reliable everyman, the story is especially potent, as he attempts to build "his truth" from the many rumors and many slivers of events he touches.
How historically accurate is it? The authors themselves note importantly that both historians and primary sources of ancient days are contradictory: and it is this uncertainty which empowers their storyline. Not to be read as history, then, but as a point of discussion of its ideas, this is a worthy and significant read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Sexual content
nishbaindur's review against another edition
5.0
'Democracy' is definitely one of the best graphic novels out there. It was fast-paced and the metaphysical element is *chef's kiss*!
It places a fictional 'common man' in the center and explores the birth of democracy in Greece, alluding to real people and places of Greek myth and history. I had forgotten so much of Greek history and still enjoyed it because it's all explained very well at the end of the book, which I deeply appreciate.
Of course, I have to fangirl over the illustration, because look at it!! Just the artwork is enough to get you hooked. It's gorgeous and vivid and different to other graphic novels I've read! I strongly strongly recommend this book if you're looking for a quick read, some Greek history, or a graphic novel in general.
It places a fictional 'common man' in the center and explores the birth of democracy in Greece, alluding to real people and places of Greek myth and history. I had forgotten so much of Greek history and still enjoyed it because it's all explained very well at the end of the book, which I deeply appreciate.
Of course, I have to fangirl over the illustration, because look at it!! Just the artwork is enough to get you hooked. It's gorgeous and vivid and different to other graphic novels I've read! I strongly strongly recommend this book if you're looking for a quick read, some Greek history, or a graphic novel in general.
claudiacatanho's review against another edition
4.0
The graphic novel “Democracy” by Alecos Papadatos, Abraham Kawa and Annie Di Donna (swipe to see the cover), tells a violent, romantic historical fiction about a boy called Leander who lives in a time of tyrants and sees his family caught up in the violence of the times. Along the way he meets the Goddess Athena who tells him to keep painting vases (which he loves to do), and Cleisthenes, who gives him a lesson in democratic principles. Of course this graphic novel does not deeply elaborate what happened during the golden age of ancient greece, but it gives you an overall perspective of life during tyranny and after. All in all, it was a really good and entertaining book to read in an afternoon.
robertrivasplata's review against another edition
4.0
A story about the birth of Athenian Democracy from the perspective of the people. Fictionalized account taken from historical sources.
vivamonty's review against another edition
4.0
This is a terrific graphic novel that vividly illustrates the birth of Athenian democracy in an approachable form. It works really well.