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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
Fair warning to the innocent: this is rather graphic. But, it's a very cool story with interesting characters and setting.
An unusual tale with wonderful artwork, the book had several things going for it, but unfortunately it balanced that out with just as many things against it.
The story is sort of a mythical folktale set in America just after the Civil War. A riverboat captain on the Hudson rescues and nurses a mermaid while dealing with his crew and the boat's eccentric owner. I suppose that is what's called "magical realism," but for me it was an odd mix.
Similarly, the artwork was an odd mix. Most of it was beautifully rendered charcoal sketches. However the characters were more cartoonishly drawn with over-large simple eyes. The effect just didn't work for me. Instead of providing a dream-like quality, it just felt uneven.
Overall, it wasn't particularly bad, but I certainly don't understand the wide amount of praise the book has received.
The story is sort of a mythical folktale set in America just after the Civil War. A riverboat captain on the Hudson rescues and nurses a mermaid while dealing with his crew and the boat's eccentric owner. I suppose that is what's called "magical realism," but for me it was an odd mix.
Similarly, the artwork was an odd mix. Most of it was beautifully rendered charcoal sketches. However the characters were more cartoonishly drawn with over-large simple eyes. The effect just didn't work for me. Instead of providing a dream-like quality, it just felt uneven.
Overall, it wasn't particularly bad, but I certainly don't understand the wide amount of praise the book has received.
Somehow I missed the fact that this is a graphic novel when I added it to my "to-read" list. It was very cool: good art, a range of characters, and a mermaid. Kudos to the author as well for naming the ship "Lorelei," which is, of course, the name of the siren on the Rhine.
A former steamboat captain recounts his tale of when he found a mermaid on the Hudson River. The captain became obsessed with the mermaid, and tried to keep her on the ship by telling her stories, but she still returned to the river. The owner of the ship was a Frenchman who was searching for his brother who disappeared on the river. The Frenchman wrote letters to a reclusive author who wrote a book about local folklore of the Hudson, including tales of a mermaid. Both men were consumed by desire to find the mermaid, one to love her and the other to kill her. Unfortunately their obsession could only end in tragedy.
A brooding story about obsession and the tragedy of giving one’s heart to a mermaid. The story is really compelling, though there are parts where it feels like something has been left out and it’s momentarily confusing. The art as a whole is gorgeous, but the simple, cartoonish look of main character is often jarringly opposite. I enjoyed it more as it got towards the end, but still was really annoyed by the look of the main character. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
A brooding story about obsession and the tragedy of giving one’s heart to a mermaid. The story is really compelling, though there are parts where it feels like something has been left out and it’s momentarily confusing. The art as a whole is gorgeous, but the simple, cartoonish look of main character is often jarringly opposite. I enjoyed it more as it got towards the end, but still was really annoyed by the look of the main character. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Wasn't sure about it at first. But ended up being interesting. Differenly an unique approach to a graphic novel.
3.5 stars
First of all, I loved the art. The use of charcoal for the drawings set the mood for the books' setting and time just right, and - although it was a bit confusing at first - the mix of comically, almost child-like drawn characters and beautiful scenery rich in details really did it for me.
As for the story... well. It didn't bore me, yet it didn't captivate me all that much either. I sometimes felt Siegel skipped important details in weird jumps in time, and there certainly wasn't too much time lost in establishing characters and their relationships with each other. The book mostly follows a "tell, don't show" kind of storytelling which was sad in a way. There are many promising characters whose backgrounds and stories would've greatly interested me but they were made to be so flat that I barely cared for them throughout the story.
What I did like was the interpretation of the mermaid lore. I'm not gonna go into too much detail as not to spoil anyone, but I definitely love me some dark takes on mermaids.
First of all, I loved the art. The use of charcoal for the drawings set the mood for the books' setting and time just right, and - although it was a bit confusing at first - the mix of comically, almost child-like drawn characters and beautiful scenery rich in details really did it for me.
As for the story... well. It didn't bore me, yet it didn't captivate me all that much either. I sometimes felt Siegel skipped important details in weird jumps in time, and there certainly wasn't too much time lost in establishing characters and their relationships with each other. The book mostly follows a "tell, don't show" kind of storytelling which was sad in a way. There are many promising characters whose backgrounds and stories would've greatly interested me but they were made to be so flat that I barely cared for them throughout the story.
What I did like was the interpretation of the mermaid lore. I'm not gonna go into too much detail as not to spoil anyone, but I definitely love me some dark takes on mermaids.
When Captain Twain saves a mermaid who was harpooned in the Hudson River, he's caught up in a most curious and haunting mythology. He starts to ignore everything in his life.Will he wake up from his obsession in time to save everything and everyone he once held dear?
a fantastic story. mermaids are insane and supa dupa cool. art was such a beautiful and integral part of the story.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes