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lorenaslibrary's review
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Thank you Fantagraphics for a copy of Hypericum!
Hypericum by Manuele Fior is a good fit for those seeking a poignant and visually stunning exploration of love, history, and personal growth, with a focus on the transformative power of time and the interconnectedness of human experiences.
Hypericum is for anyone looking for...
- gorgeous art
- exploration of love
- personal growth
- interconnectedness of human experiences
Blurb: It's 2001, and Teresa, a young Italian suffering from insomnia and a generally fragile state of mind, has just arrived in Berlin with a grant to help organize an exhibit of Tutankhamen's treasure. Though she finds support in Ruben, a fellow Italian expat, she struggles to keep it together. Her one anchor is reading Howard Carter's book about his discovery of King Tut's tomb in 1922, finding solace in the Egyptologist's writing and the thought of that noble young pharaoh resting undisturbed for three thousand years.
Review:
The art is gorgeous in this graphic novel, especially the 1922 plot line. I do wish there was more emphasis on Carter and Teresa's interconnectedness; however, due to the romance plot, I felt it took away from the main story. Overall, a quick read on history and our connection to it!
Hypericum by Manuele Fior is a good fit for those seeking a poignant and visually stunning exploration of love, history, and personal growth, with a focus on the transformative power of time and the interconnectedness of human experiences.
Hypericum is for anyone looking for...
- gorgeous art
- exploration of love
- personal growth
- interconnectedness of human experiences
Blurb: It's 2001, and Teresa, a young Italian suffering from insomnia and a generally fragile state of mind, has just arrived in Berlin with a grant to help organize an exhibit of Tutankhamen's treasure. Though she finds support in Ruben, a fellow Italian expat, she struggles to keep it together. Her one anchor is reading Howard Carter's book about his discovery of King Tut's tomb in 1922, finding solace in the Egyptologist's writing and the thought of that noble young pharaoh resting undisturbed for three thousand years.
Review:
The art is gorgeous in this graphic novel, especially the 1922 plot line. I do wish there was more emphasis on Carter and Teresa's interconnectedness; however, due to the romance plot, I felt it took away from the main story. Overall, a quick read on history and our connection to it!
maheandco's review against another edition
4.0
Toutankhamon - archéologie - indépendance
Fût un temps, j'étais libraire bd/manga et j'ai eu l'occasion de découvrir quelques pépites, dont celle-ci aux éditions Dargaud que j'ai adoré.
Le lieu prend place dans les années 90 à Berlin où Teresa, brillante étudiante en archéologie et absolument obsédée par le travail d'Howard Carter, a été acceptée pour la préparation d'une grande exposition sur Toutankhamon.
En parallèle, elle fait la rencontre de Ruben, un jeune homme assez fantasque qui est là pour profiter de la vie comme elle vient et avec une philosophie bien à lui.
La bande-dessinée suit deux périodes distinctes : celle de Teresa, entre son travail, sa romance et ses insomnies ; et celle de Howard Carter, à travers la retranscription de ses véritables écrits lors de la découverte du tombeau de Toutankhamon.
Tout le récit est parsemé d'histoires comme de découvertes. Celle avec un grand H, que l'on peut découvrir dans les livres et les musées ; celles qui se font au fil des rencontres, au fil des âges et parfois, des désaccords.
On y voit aussi l'évolution de notre société, à travers des choses devenues anecdotiques, comme la création des téléphones portables ; puis d'autres choses bien plus difficiles comme les attentats du 11 septembre.
Le plus important reste les découvertes de Teresa. Au plus elle creuse de son côté, avance dans son projet professionnel et plus elle se découvre aussi. Comme en parallèle avec les études de ce fameux archéologue, ils iront jusqu'au bout de leur passion.
En réalité, cela fait peu de temps que je visite réellement des musées, mais ça m'a donné plus envie encore d'en visiter ! Et, pourquoi pas, d'y travailler un jour ✨
Fût un temps, j'étais libraire bd/manga et j'ai eu l'occasion de découvrir quelques pépites, dont celle-ci aux éditions Dargaud que j'ai adoré.
Le lieu prend place dans les années 90 à Berlin où Teresa, brillante étudiante en archéologie et absolument obsédée par le travail d'Howard Carter, a été acceptée pour la préparation d'une grande exposition sur Toutankhamon.
En parallèle, elle fait la rencontre de Ruben, un jeune homme assez fantasque qui est là pour profiter de la vie comme elle vient et avec une philosophie bien à lui.
La bande-dessinée suit deux périodes distinctes : celle de Teresa, entre son travail, sa romance et ses insomnies ; et celle de Howard Carter, à travers la retranscription de ses véritables écrits lors de la découverte du tombeau de Toutankhamon.
Tout le récit est parsemé d'histoires comme de découvertes. Celle avec un grand H, que l'on peut découvrir dans les livres et les musées ; celles qui se font au fil des rencontres, au fil des âges et parfois, des désaccords.
On y voit aussi l'évolution de notre société, à travers des choses devenues anecdotiques, comme la création des téléphones portables ; puis d'autres choses bien plus difficiles comme les attentats du 11 septembre.
Le plus important reste les découvertes de Teresa. Au plus elle creuse de son côté, avance dans son projet professionnel et plus elle se découvre aussi. Comme en parallèle avec les études de ce fameux archéologue, ils iront jusqu'au bout de leur passion.
En réalité, cela fait peu de temps que je visite réellement des musées, mais ça m'a donné plus envie encore d'en visiter ! Et, pourquoi pas, d'y travailler un jour ✨
kingofthehillxl's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
Hyperion by Manuele Fior was a really interesting story. The look at anthropology/archeology aspect was enlightening. I enjoyed it as a period piece, and the tidbits that were thrown in about the time period especially in relation to Germany were appreciated. I think the story seemed a little disjointed to me, and while I understand that the archeology flashbacks were supposed to inspire awe in me, they kind of had the opposite effect. It actually made me question if the entire museum concept of these western powers stealing these artifacts from these civilizations to display in museums was humane at all. I hope the Egyptian people get some sort of kickback from these museums.
I did however really enjoy the art for the archeology panels. So, I enjoyed the story and the art for the Germany panels, but only the art for the archeology panels. The story is about a woman who is struggling with insomnia and is trying to get through a museum residency setting up a King Tut exhibit. The story is peppered with panels from the the journal of the discovery she is reading throughout the story. While I only enjoyed the art from these journal panels, the regular story was very interesting. The story of her road to opening up and her dynamic with her suitor. Her discovery of her worth and place in her field of study. All these aspects were well realized and carried my enjoyment.
I was provided with a free copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I did however really enjoy the art for the archeology panels. So, I enjoyed the story and the art for the Germany panels, but only the art for the archeology panels. The story is about a woman who is struggling with insomnia and is trying to get through a museum residency setting up a King Tut exhibit. The story is peppered with panels from the the journal of the discovery she is reading throughout the story. While I only enjoyed the art from these journal panels, the regular story was very interesting. The story of her road to opening up and her dynamic with her suitor. Her discovery of her worth and place in her field of study. All these aspects were well realized and carried my enjoyment.
I was provided with a free copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
jayra's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you NetGalley & publisher for this eARC.
Archaeology always reminds me of the movie, The Mummy franchise. I really love the movie. Oh, and Indiana Jones.
While this graphic novel, Hypericon has dual timeline setting - 1920s and 2000s - one when a group of archaeology has found King Tut's tomb and Teresa, who is an archaeologist with severe insomnia arrives in Berlin with a grant to help to organize an exhibition of King Tut's treasure.
"If we had a destination we were headed for, we would never get there in a straight line."
I love the few pages towards the ending - the meaning, st. john's wort, the connection and all. But what I don't love is when there were German & Spanish languages were thrown off without any translation, and the only german word I understand was, Guten Morgen. So I skipped german/spanish interactions.
Mind you that there were few graphic of sex scenes.
I think I will try other Manuele Fior's work.
Archaeology always reminds me of the movie, The Mummy franchise. I really love the movie. Oh, and Indiana Jones.
While this graphic novel, Hypericon has dual timeline setting - 1920s and 2000s - one when a group of archaeology has found King Tut's tomb and Teresa, who is an archaeologist with severe insomnia arrives in Berlin with a grant to help to organize an exhibition of King Tut's treasure.
"If we had a destination we were headed for, we would never get there in a straight line."
I love the few pages towards the ending - the meaning, st. john's wort, the connection and all. But what I don't love is when there were German & Spanish languages were thrown off without any translation, and the only german word I understand was, Guten Morgen. So I skipped german/spanish interactions.
Mind you that there were few graphic of sex scenes.
I think I will try other Manuele Fior's work.
pharden87's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Hypericon is a graphic novel about an Egyptologist, Teresa, who has gone to Germany to help set up a new exhibit about Tutankhamun's treasure. The story goes back and forth between Teresa's story and that of Howard Carter who found Tutankhamun's tomb.
The art in this was fairly nice, it was pretty clean and lovely. The story of Carter finding the tomb was fascinating, and the portrayal of insomnia and mental health was very compelling.
However, all in all, I found Teresa's story just very uninteresting. I was more interested in moving forward on Carter's than hers. The art, while lovely, felt a bit flat and as if it was missing some spark or something. The whole of it, story and art, felt like it was trying to be something, but I'm not sure what. Slice of life maybe? It wasn't a cozy read, but it also wasn't enough of a story to feel like a story.
I was given this book by Netgalley to read and review.
The art in this was fairly nice, it was pretty clean and lovely. The story of Carter finding the tomb was fascinating, and the portrayal of insomnia and mental health was very compelling.
However, all in all, I found Teresa's story just very uninteresting. I was more interested in moving forward on Carter's than hers. The art, while lovely, felt a bit flat and as if it was missing some spark or something. The whole of it, story and art, felt like it was trying to be something, but I'm not sure what. Slice of life maybe? It wasn't a cozy read, but it also wasn't enough of a story to feel like a story.
I was given this book by Netgalley to read and review.
royallyreading's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
ghada_mohammed's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this one: it is exactly what the synopsis says it is and that's the problem. I know it is not fair to criticise a book for what it was not, but still, I was hoping for some dramatic twist or a grand revelation and was vaguely disappointed when it never came about. At least it's relaxing and the art is cute. Nonetheless, I appreciated the take on chronic insomnia and how it affects one's quality of life, mental wellbeing and subsequently the people around them. It's not a topic I see discussed often in books much less comics.