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eli_like_a_lie's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
yoteach87's review against another edition
3.0
Will Eisner's "A Contract with God" is the first graphic novel published, so it makes sense to read it amongst the others. However, it is unsettling, jarring, and volatile leading to some fairly edgy art (like a rape scene). It's OK as far as story go, but essential when studying the history of the graphic novel.
bluesungod's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
kurtwombat's review against another edition
5.0
Not all classics live up to the billing. Not all ground breaking works age well. Will Eisner not only creates the graphic novel with this seminal work but also creates a standard that is still almost beyond reach. Brimming with emotional power and subtlety conveyed just as deftly with word and image, marvelously evocative of time and place—a great read.
jbmorgan86's review against another edition
4.0
“A Contract with God” is the first book to have the title of “graphic novel.” In the anthology, Will Eisner tells factionalized versions of true stories from a tenement building in New York City.
“A Contract with God” is the best of the four. In this story, a man makes a contract with God and vows to do good. When a baby girl is abandoned at his doorstep, he raises her as his own. When she dies, he believes that God has broken the contract. In the introduction, Eisner said that this story is based on his own life, when his daughter died. Heart-wrenching.
“The Street Singer” is about a singer during the Great Depression. A washed up diva tries to use him to get back into the spotlight and he uses her to get into the spotlight for the first time.
“The Super” is about a lascivious apartment super who is taught a lesson by a ten year old girl.
“Cookalein” is a weird story about summer resort where everyone sleeps with everyone else.
The stories are gritty and real. They will pull at your heart strings . . . and also disturb you.
“A Contract with God” is the best of the four. In this story, a man makes a contract with God and vows to do good. When a baby girl is abandoned at his doorstep, he raises her as his own. When she dies, he believes that God has broken the contract. In the introduction, Eisner said that this story is based on his own life, when his daughter died. Heart-wrenching.
“The Street Singer” is about a singer during the Great Depression. A washed up diva tries to use him to get back into the spotlight and he uses her to get into the spotlight for the first time.
“The Super” is about a lascivious apartment super who is taught a lesson by a ten year old girl.
“Cookalein” is a weird story about summer resort where everyone sleeps with everyone else.
The stories are gritty and real. They will pull at your heart strings . . . and also disturb you.
ejsanders2's review against another edition
2.0
I read this book for my graphic novels class and it was cool to see one of the oldest graphic novels but there were many things in this book that were problematic and risky. Personally I was not the biggest fan of this book.
cnieszku's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ksjones's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75