You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
This was an excellent story, enhanced by the unique and beautiful art style. I was intrigued and eager to read more from the very beginning. I'm not quite sure how to describe the atmosphere, but I think the quotes featured on the dust jacket are correct in calling it "haunting". This book seems to be the type that can be enjoyed in a whole new way when read a second time, and I look forward to doing so. I wish there were an option for half stars in the rating system, as I would rate this between a 4 and a 5. I really just would have liked a little more depth in the story. Otherwise, I thought it was a quick, but nuanced tale.
Like many graphic novelists, the author leaves a lot of the story telling up to the illustrations, which can at times leave the characters feeling a little one dimensional.
One hundred years ago, steamboats ruled the rivers. Captain Twain of the Steamship Lorelei is one of the best-known captains on the Hudson River. One day, he rescues a mermaid who has been injured by a harpoon. The captain hides her away in his quarters and tends to her wounds. As she recovers, the two begin get to know one another. Twain, who hopes to be a writer one day, also finds that his writing block has vanished. Meanwhile, the ship's owner, the Frenchman Lafayette has been corresponding with a mysterious author about ways to rid oneself of a mermaid's curse. The mysterious author prepares for a very public debut aboard the Steamship Lorelei. As the three characters' lives converge, so too do elements of mythology and folklore, culminating in a series of events that none of the characters could have ever foreseen.
I went into this thinking that it had something to do with that other Twain of Midwestern fame, but such is not the case. The real Mark Twain is, however, referenced at least once by the characters themselves. Captain Twain is, in many ways, a parallel to the literary figure. I loved the artwork in this comic; it suited the story beautifully. It tends to have an almost-underwater/dreamlike quality to it. The story is rich and unexpected, with distinct magic-realism tendencies. In short, it's pretty much everything I look for in a graphic novel.
I went into this thinking that it had something to do with that other Twain of Midwestern fame, but such is not the case. The real Mark Twain is, however, referenced at least once by the characters themselves. Captain Twain is, in many ways, a parallel to the literary figure. I loved the artwork in this comic; it suited the story beautifully. It tends to have an almost-underwater/dreamlike quality to it. The story is rich and unexpected, with distinct magic-realism tendencies. In short, it's pretty much everything I look for in a graphic novel.
I would recommend borrowing this book instead of buying it. The ending is open for interpretation, but the rest of it provides an interesting ride.
Probably more of a 4.5.
"...a novel of rivers, magic, mermaids, and the great mystery of human nature."
This story was both enchanting and pleasantly crushing.
I really enjoyed the black and white charcoal art style - as this is set on the Hudson River, it made the whole thing very atmospheric. My only gripe with the art was the overly-cartoonish way that the characters themselves were drawn.
Content warnings for this include adult language, suicide, and nudity, including frontal male nudity. This is not a graphic novel for kids.
"...a novel of rivers, magic, mermaids, and the great mystery of human nature."
This story was both enchanting and pleasantly crushing.
I really enjoyed the black and white charcoal art style - as this is set on the Hudson River, it made the whole thing very atmospheric. My only gripe with the art was the overly-cartoonish way that the characters themselves were drawn.
Content warnings for this include adult language, suicide, and nudity, including frontal male nudity. This is not a graphic novel for kids.
I thought the art in this book was really exquisite and atmospheric but it was pretty easy to tell that this had been a serial in its original incarnation. I thought the plotting was a little uneven and, while there was a lot of great build up to the climax of this story, ultimately the mysteries were explained in a perfunctory and rushed way. I would still definitely recommend this book to fans of graphic novels and mythology.
An interesting take on mermaid myths with some solid art. With a lot of mermaid boob. Not a bad thing just, lots of mermaid boob. Also the ending was little confusing.
Me gustó muchisimo, el arte me parece totalmente personal y la historia fué preciosa.
El final se me hizo abrupto y un poco anticlimático pero no le restó.
El final se me hizo abrupto y un poco anticlimático pero no le restó.
A story set on a riverboat. The art is in black and white. The author put lots of time and love into his creation. It is very misty and mysterious. The art fits the tone of the story.
There is a mermaid in the story. The thing about this story that is the most real regarding a mermaid is her hair isn't draped constantly over her breasts. She is bear chest anytime you see her. That is how it would be, I doubt mermaids would be so modest. So, there are a lot of breasts in this story.
It is also about polygamy. There are a great many subjects in this novel. I was engrossed as to what was going to happen. The mythology really works for the story.
I felt the characters were fleshed out and had their own motivations. Such an interesting read. I enjoyed it.
There is a mermaid in the story. The thing about this story that is the most real regarding a mermaid is her hair isn't draped constantly over her breasts. She is bear chest anytime you see her. That is how it would be, I doubt mermaids would be so modest. So, there are a lot of breasts in this story.
It is also about polygamy. There are a great many subjects in this novel. I was engrossed as to what was going to happen. The mythology really works for the story.
I felt the characters were fleshed out and had their own motivations. Such an interesting read. I enjoyed it.
I grew up in a river town, so reading about this Hudson River mythology was like coming home. A steam ship travels the Hudson and tales of mermaids begin to overtake the ship's owner, while the Captain finds an injured mermaid and nurses her back to health. The art is beautiful and the story is a powerful one of lust, longing, and responsibility.