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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
The art is really good! What a great style.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Nothing super special.
I think my main problem with Mariko Tamakis work is that I will compare everything she makes to Laura Dean Keeps Breakjng Up With Me, subconsciously. And that book was so good… nothing else adds up.
I think my main problem with Mariko Tamakis work is that I will compare everything she makes to Laura Dean Keeps Breakjng Up With Me, subconsciously. And that book was so good… nothing else adds up.
This isn't quite as strong as Skim but it's still pretty good. Emiko sees herself as invisible until a flyer for the Factory floats into her hand. What comes next is entirely up to her...
A fun, light-hearted graphic novel by one of the authors of "Skim". Emiko self-identifies as a geek and has typically been OK with being in the background. Her summer is promising to be boring, the only thing getting her out of the house being her babysitting job for a young couple. One day, she witnesses a unique girl making a scene by dancing and tossing out flyers advertising a freak show. In spite of her hesitations, Emiko is intrigued and eventually makes her way to the club where she is utterly enchanted by the freedom of expression on stage. Emiko decides she wants to become a part of the scene and begins to work on an act. Inspiration eludes her until she stumbles across a journal written by the mother of her babysitting charge.
In a sense, this is a coming-of-age tale. Emiko is dire need of something to help her discover who she really is. While a freak show may not be the answer for everyone, Emiko's sense of liberation while performing is easy to relate to. With a little bit of help from some of the women in her life (though they will likely never realize it), Emiko is able to transform herself into a superstar of sorts. How long can she keep it up? Furthermore, how long can the freak show scene sustain itself?
I liked it a lot. And I really, really want to visit that freak show to see for myself the acts portrayed in the book. It's pretty rare to see performance art depicted in a teen graphic novel, so that makes this little book unique. Emiko is easy to relate to, especially for anyone who's ever spent time in the shadows. It's hard not to be enchanted by the world Emiko becomes a part of and it's disappointing when she ultimately has to move on.
In a sense, this is a coming-of-age tale. Emiko is dire need of something to help her discover who she really is. While a freak show may not be the answer for everyone, Emiko's sense of liberation while performing is easy to relate to. With a little bit of help from some of the women in her life (though they will likely never realize it), Emiko is able to transform herself into a superstar of sorts. How long can she keep it up? Furthermore, how long can the freak show scene sustain itself?
I liked it a lot. And I really, really want to visit that freak show to see for myself the acts portrayed in the book. It's pretty rare to see performance art depicted in a teen graphic novel, so that makes this little book unique. Emiko is easy to relate to, especially for anyone who's ever spent time in the shadows. It's hard not to be enchanted by the world Emiko becomes a part of and it's disappointing when she ultimately has to move on.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Emiko steals diary entries from her deeply unhappy employer’s journal to impress a sleazy crew of “performance artists.” And, I’m sorry, but there is no coming back from that.
Color me unimpressed. Story and character's actions made this story somewhat unredeemable, especially as she's only doing it to fit in amongst a bunch of slightly older, disaffected youths who claim that they are pursuing "art". Sprinkled throughout with some truths learned through insight and bad decisions, most of this graphic novel is a bit of a snooze.
Art was okay, but nothing to write home about.
Art was okay, but nothing to write home about.
A geek girl discovers herself in performance art over a transformative summer. Felt a little flat and quick.
An interesting peek into the world of expressive young artists. I was about as clueless as Emiko so that helped me ease into the culture. I wasn't completely sold on the story - but I appreciated Emiko as a unique character. She actually reminded me of a good friend of mine in a few ways.
Both sad and empowering, Emiko Superstar is quite the coming of age story. Braver than she thought she was, but at the same time still hiding behind someone else.