minkkmuse's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
such a gorgeously illustrated, emotionally complex narrative that tackles issues of love, grief, and purpose. a little overly sappy at times, but overall a really inspiring, reflective story dissecting what it means to be alive, the inevitability of death, and the role of art in life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
chaoticnostalgia's review
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Feeling like I will be thinking about this for a while, but can't figure out how much I liked it. I'm definitely feeling existential.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Suicide, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual content, Cancer, and Medical content
Minor: Pregnancy
iuvmoonie's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Suicide, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Medical content, Car accident, Terminal illness, Sexism, and Misogyny
waybeyondblue's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Murder and Violence
clarabooksit's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
The art is fraught with loneliness, uncertainty and desire. It’s dark and often ugly with pockets of beautiful scenery and prose. I liked the exploration of death and what it means to live, how each chapter built on the last, and the way the main character’s relationship with his father shapes much of his character as well as the story.
Having said that, there was this blatantly masculine romanticism on display that was very off-putting. There are very few female characters and they’re all foils for the hero, never actualized as characters themselves. Even his eventual wife is only depicted as the vessel for his happiness and the mother of his son. All of the deep and meaningful relationships the hero has are with other men. There’s nothing necessarily wrong with that, but for a story lacking in female characters, it would’ve been nice to see one of them as an actual person.
Additionally, while I initially loved the friendship between the hero and his best friend, the way it ended was awful and strange. I’m not sure how to process it.
Overall, I liked the non-linear storytelling and the way it built the story. I didn’t like what I can only describe as overtly male romanticism. But I think I’d still recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content
navasketch's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
beautifully illustrated and emotionally driven story told in an unconventional method, was a great read and stands to reason why this is such a classic :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Self harm
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