Scan barcode
nolansmock's review
3.0
Not trying to be a book snob but the Times New Roman (or whatever) font takes a lot of the wind out of the watercolors for me. It's not just content, the actual design means a lot to me when spending time a book. I guess it feels like a very digital pairing to these dreamy paintings and illustrations. It does make it feel like a children's book for adults in that way but I'm not sure if that whole experiment works because the takeaways all feel a bit helpless. We do all feel like that sometimes, I suppose. Also David Small is the only author on the cover but two stories out of the three are adaptations. This is my first read of his after Stitches and nowhere on that level of storytelling in many aspects.
slimikin's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
3.0
derickwham's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
erincataldi's review
adventurous
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
A quick but masterful graphic novel told as three short stories. The Werewolf at Dusk is about the changes an aging werewolf goes through. Still able to change at the full moon, yet hardly able to chase a squirrel or climb up stairs. A Walk in the Old City is about a shrink who loses his way at night. Attempting to psycho-analyze himself will not getting him out of the mess he stumbles across. The final story is The Tiger in Vogue which is a terrifyingly whimsical look at Hitler's rise to power in Germany. Unique and wonderful storytelling in that one. Fantastic illustrations grace the pages of all three stories. I wish it were longer!
viceabbess's review
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
readingrobin's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A big thank you to NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The publishing trend of adult picture books appears to be on the rise and Werewolf at Dusk makes an excellent case for why it should continue. The stories contained here, all dealing with some sort of internal dread, are emotionally impactful and filled with illustrations that linger in the mind. Many of the locations, especially in the second story, give off a haunted quality with their deep colors and surreal imagery. Each of the stories feel particularly dreamlike, easily veering off into nightmare territory at certain points.
Fear seems to be a large thread that connects the stories, whether that be the fear of a weakening body, of losing a sense of reality, or starting to see the dark paths a society is about tread down. Though uncomfortable at times, the depiction of these fears lead to a connection through the parts of the human experience we all must eventually face. They feel like imparted wisdoms or cautionary tales from those who have lived enough life to know them well.
The publishing trend of adult picture books appears to be on the rise and Werewolf at Dusk makes an excellent case for why it should continue. The stories contained here, all dealing with some sort of internal dread, are emotionally impactful and filled with illustrations that linger in the mind. Many of the locations, especially in the second story, give off a haunted quality with their deep colors and surreal imagery. Each of the stories feel particularly dreamlike, easily veering off into nightmare territory at certain points.
Fear seems to be a large thread that connects the stories, whether that be the fear of a weakening body, of losing a sense of reality, or starting to see the dark paths a society is about tread down. Though uncomfortable at times, the depiction of these fears lead to a connection through the parts of the human experience we all must eventually face. They feel like imparted wisdoms or cautionary tales from those who have lived enough life to know them well.