Scan barcode
rnmcfarlane's review against another edition
challenging
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
daveparry67's review against another edition
4.0
I bought this after I went to a day’s workshop with the Grenfell Health and Wellbeing Service, describing their work & how they were set up in the wake of the fire. It was a powerful & inspiring day & the proceeds from this publication go to the work of all organisations addressing the needs of people involved & affected by the psychological consequences of the fire. It’s a companion volume to ’24 Stories of Hope for Survivors of the Grenfell Tower Fire’, edited by Kathy Burke, which I’m reading & enjoying in between other books this year.
This consists of a series of graphic stories, each using no more than 24 panels, echoing the 24 storeys of the Grenfell Tower (& possibly, I wondered, the panels of disastrous, flammable cladding on the building). Some directly reference the fire, the response of the authorities & the experiences of the individuals & community affected; others describe different traumatic & troubling events, the effects of which parallel those of the fire. Some seem to strand alone & all portray one or combinations of the themes of solidarity, persistence, hope, community, frustration, anger, pain, positivity & unity. Some try to explain, others condemn, others just sit with the pain.
I’ve not read a graphic novel or comic like this before; it’s instantly accessible, colourful, striking, shocking, sobering, hopeful & insightful. The styles are varied, some quite stark & monotone, others rich & colourful; some of the images are terrifying, macabre & frightening, others are soft, innocent & soothing. Some are sequential comic book narratives, others are single or interconnected images; there’s even a very clever ‘choose your own story comic’ which leads you through different options about starting in a new job!
There’s validation, condemnation, humour & innovation here; it feels young, modern, relevant & respectful. I read it quite quickly once I started it & I can see myself dipping into it again many times in order to experience its full benefit & impact. Utterly unique in my year’s reading so far, I might consider getting a copy of the graphic novel that was in the Booker Prize longlist (‘Sabrina’ by Nick Drnaso) on the strength of this. Well worth getting a copy (if only to support the cause) & rewards open-minded consideration.
This consists of a series of graphic stories, each using no more than 24 panels, echoing the 24 storeys of the Grenfell Tower (& possibly, I wondered, the panels of disastrous, flammable cladding on the building). Some directly reference the fire, the response of the authorities & the experiences of the individuals & community affected; others describe different traumatic & troubling events, the effects of which parallel those of the fire. Some seem to strand alone & all portray one or combinations of the themes of solidarity, persistence, hope, community, frustration, anger, pain, positivity & unity. Some try to explain, others condemn, others just sit with the pain.
I’ve not read a graphic novel or comic like this before; it’s instantly accessible, colourful, striking, shocking, sobering, hopeful & insightful. The styles are varied, some quite stark & monotone, others rich & colourful; some of the images are terrifying, macabre & frightening, others are soft, innocent & soothing. Some are sequential comic book narratives, others are single or interconnected images; there’s even a very clever ‘choose your own story comic’ which leads you through different options about starting in a new job!
There’s validation, condemnation, humour & innovation here; it feels young, modern, relevant & respectful. I read it quite quickly once I started it & I can see myself dipping into it again many times in order to experience its full benefit & impact. Utterly unique in my year’s reading so far, I might consider getting a copy of the graphic novel that was in the Booker Prize longlist (‘Sabrina’ by Nick Drnaso) on the strength of this. Well worth getting a copy (if only to support the cause) & rewards open-minded consideration.
linguine_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
hwillustrator's review against another edition
3.0
It's always tricky to rate/review anthologies because the content varies quite a lot. There were a few stories in this that really moved me but in others it felt like there was a tension between the comics' tone and the cause being supported.
elizabethlk's review against another edition
3.0
I think raising money for trauma support for the Grenfell Tower survivors is an incredible thing to put a charity anthology together for. Some of the comics featured here really capture that spirit, as well as the spirit of community and recovery. That said, as with many anthologies, it can be a bit of a mixed bags, with some of the comics not standing out at all or standing out as poor examples.
I probably wouldn't go out of my way to recommend this, but I definitely wouldn't recommend against it either, and I do think the cause is great.
I probably wouldn't go out of my way to recommend this, but I definitely wouldn't recommend against it either, and I do think the cause is great.
paperback's review against another edition
4.0
I always enjoy a comic anthology, especially if it benefits a good cause. This collection is no exception. Stand out pieces for me were: They Say (Alex de Campi, Ro Stein, Ted Brandt and Tritons Tree Farrell,) If Einstein’s Right (Alan Moore, Melinda Gebbie, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou,) and The Favelas (Daniel Santos, Débora Santos, and Toben Racicot)
mohan_vee's review against another edition
5.0
"24 Panels" takes a fairly simple idea and produces and interesting and entertaining sampling of current comic art and writing. Originally conceived as a fundraising project after th 2017 tragedy at the Grenfell tower block this book has lasting merit and is worth reading for anyone interested in
Each story is short, never more than 24 panels, - hence the name. The wide diversity of art and storytelling styles is notable and the constituent stories vary greatly from each other. Most do not even directly reference the tragedy at Grenfell. What they do have in common, though , is a common thread of hope and faith in the ability to improve the future.
All of these stories are worth reading, though some are more accessible and / or interesting than others. My top three personal favorites are "They Say" , "If Einstein's Right", "The Favelas and "A Logical Conclusion"
Each story is short, never more than 24 panels, - hence the name. The wide diversity of art and storytelling styles is notable and the constituent stories vary greatly from each other. Most do not even directly reference the tragedy at Grenfell. What they do have in common, though , is a common thread of hope and faith in the ability to improve the future.
All of these stories are worth reading, though some are more accessible and / or interesting than others. My top three personal favorites are "They Say" , "If Einstein's Right", "The Favelas and "A Logical Conclusion"
drkbloodfntsies's review against another edition
3.0
i feel bad rating this with only three stars because of the purpose of this,, but i only like a few of the stories tbh
paradiselcst's review against another edition
3.0
i feel bad rating this with only three stars because of the purpose of this,, but i only like a few of the stories tbh