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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
This rather hefty book is more a novel than standard graphic novel or comic for that matter. Illustrations here are exactly that - illustrations. You do not get anything more out of them (considering the very sketch-like nature and in some situations complete inability to clearly see what is going on, e.g. scenes where police finds the bodies in dark and unlit streets).
But story, it is very good.
If you are expecting whodunit story you will be disappointed. Perpetrator is know very early. This is story of deep anxiety caused by the turn of the century (in all aspects not unlike anxiety haunting people for the last 20 years) and slow travel to madness triggered by what some people speculate might be reason for actual Jack the Ripper's rampage.
As such this is true horror story, interspersed with occult and secret societies, showing influence occult societies had even on mighty empire as UK (although should we say had in the first place? I have a feeling situation did not change at all in my opinion, people (especially powerful ones) seem to have fetishes about belonging to secret societies). Police officers frustration when encountering political obstacles while they truly work on finding the murderer is presented very clearly. And actions of what you might call "secret government" are shown as they usually are - utterly merciless when national interests are in jeopardy.
I don't understand people with critiques in terms of racial/religious context - these were late 1800's, early 1900's and unfortunately that was the thinking of people at the time (especially in terms of medicine and treatments of psychological issues). Hopefully we raised above it but to disregard past because of the way people were thinking at the time is very silly thing to do (should we eliminate integral calculus because at the time wars (almost all initially highly religious) ravaged the Europe?). All the past is base for future - without it there would be no future. We need to accept the past and rise above the bad things and improve.
Tirade aside this is very introspective and disturbing novel, journey into the very center of madness.
Beside the main story please read all the appendixes and especially short graphic story "Gull Catchers".
Excellent story, recommended to all thriller fans.
But story, it is very good.
If you are expecting whodunit story you will be disappointed. Perpetrator is know very early. This is story of deep anxiety caused by the turn of the century (in all aspects not unlike anxiety haunting people for the last 20 years) and slow travel to madness triggered by what some people speculate might be reason for actual Jack the Ripper's rampage.
As such this is true horror story, interspersed with occult and secret societies, showing influence occult societies had even on mighty empire as UK (although should we say had in the first place? I have a feeling situation did not change at all in my opinion, people (especially powerful ones) seem to have fetishes about belonging to secret societies). Police officers frustration when encountering political obstacles while they truly work on finding the murderer is presented very clearly. And actions of what you might call "secret government" are shown as they usually are - utterly merciless when national interests are in jeopardy.
I don't understand people with critiques in terms of racial/religious context - these were late 1800's, early 1900's and unfortunately that was the thinking of people at the time (especially in terms of medicine and treatments of psychological issues). Hopefully we raised above it but to disregard past because of the way people were thinking at the time is very silly thing to do (should we eliminate integral calculus because at the time wars (almost all initially highly religious) ravaged the Europe?). All the past is base for future - without it there would be no future. We need to accept the past and rise above the bad things and improve.
Tirade aside this is very introspective and disturbing novel, journey into the very center of madness.
Beside the main story please read all the appendixes and especially short graphic story "Gull Catchers".
Excellent story, recommended to all thriller fans.
A dark and disturbing story. Intricate and intense. It is not the kind of read for "enjoyment." But it is an exploration of man's depths. That has its own value.
Some of it was interesting, most of it was pointless rubbish. They could have cut this graphic novel in half and then it probably would've been really solid. There were times when it went on for 10 pages in Gull's mind where it seemed like the writers was trying to be deep and clever. Sandman was deep and clever. This was pretentious and never quite hit the mark. I liked some of the story and I actually liked the art and design, it felt like it all suited. But yeah. Nah.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
