Reviews

This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki

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amy_sashaaa's review against another edition

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lighthearted slow-paced

2.0

kaykitty24's review

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

greensmartie's review against another edition

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4.0

This graphic novel took me back to my teenage years (I'm saying that like it was oh, so long ago :)) hmm...it just feels that way), to all the talks figuring things out with my best friend, passing out our -then considered- smart ass judgement of people and events around us. Being at the centre of life unfolding. Going up and down in moods and resolutions. This story keeps it simple, yet deep enough to make you feel things. The art style is meditative and evocative of the deep indigo waters of our own thoughts and feelings.

Rose is at that point where you get more melancholic about life and what is happening around you. Still innocent and playful but at the same time starting to grasp the heavier elements that build our daily reality. Windy, granted a bit younger than Rose, is a twirling ball of energy, seeing things more lightly, with more humour, with a genuine curiosity about all the craziness that growing up brings.
The elements of friendship, family and drama, summer breezy getaway, kids, young adults and grown ups (all relative...) trying to deal with their slice of life, twist together to carry the characters and the readers on the journey to a maturity that doesn't mean you have things easy or figured out. And it's somehow reassuring to see that.

While reading and admiring the beautiful artwork, the story took me in and carried me to my own teenage episodes of wonder, deciphering, scowling and bouncing back. I like the way it feels like a page of lives that will continue to unfold beyond the story.

soramun's review

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4.0

This was such a refreshing read I must say. It felt like I was witnessing my own childhood and moments as a preteen. It was a slow burn and had no clear ending, but then again there is no clear ending in someone's life. You just live.

I could tell that this novel did have a message. At some point in every girl's life you begin to understand a small portion of what being a girl/woman means. Rose, our main protagonist, is a young girl on summer vacation with her family to their cottage on the beach. Alongside her friend Windy, she struggles with understanding her parent's arguments and realizes that their marriage might be in danger. They also stumble into serious drama with the locals. An issue that might change the both of them forever.

I don't think this novel is for everyone though. It might come off a little man hating. It glorifies the woman, but there are a lot of men who use terms like 'slut'. Most didn't treat women with much respect. While there are men who are like that, I would have liked to see some good men around. But I do understand that this story represented those who have experienced similar things.

Overall, I do recommend this graphic novel. It might bring you back to those days when you just hung out as a kid. Figuring out how the world works and how you fit in it. Or, it can just be a new perspective.