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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
fast-paced
I kind of wish that this had existed when I was fifteen or sixteen - probably the height of Beatles fandom and a point in which I thought the Stuart was one of the most intriguing characters in the world. And I really adore the artwork here.
Rating: 3.5
I usually avoid giving ratings of something point something but this time I can't in good faith round it down to 3 but I also wouldn't give it a 4 so here we are.
It's an interesting graphic novel following The Beatles and more specifically one member and his relationship with Astrid, our main character.
The art itself is lovely and simple and fits really well with the story it's trying to tell. The use of the shading is also very efficiently applied to crete the atmosphere desired.
The story itself is, in some ways, pretty straight forward. It's hard to judge something based on actual people's lives.
I think there were some pacing issues or pages where it felt like the scene changed without any warning that felt a bit jarring, but otherwise it was a short and enjoyable read.
I usually avoid giving ratings of something point something but this time I can't in good faith round it down to 3 but I also wouldn't give it a 4 so here we are.
It's an interesting graphic novel following The Beatles and more specifically one member and his relationship with Astrid, our main character.
The art itself is lovely and simple and fits really well with the story it's trying to tell. The use of the shading is also very efficiently applied to crete the atmosphere desired.
The story itself is, in some ways, pretty straight forward. It's hard to judge something based on actual people's lives.
I think there were some pacing issues or pages where it felt like the scene changed without any warning that felt a bit jarring, but otherwise it was a short and enjoyable read.
I've never thought about the Beatles before they were "The Beatles," nor did I know about the influence of Astrid Kirchherr or the almost-a-Beatle Stuart Sutcliff. But I didn't necessarily find it a great book in and of itself -- the art was okay, but there was little character development, which made connecting to the story and the tragic turn at the end difficult. Likewise, NOT being a big Beatles fan, I didn't necessarily come to the story with enough to understand the significance of Astrid nor Stuart. In other words, it needed just a little more, as it was almost too stripped down.
Great graphic novel rendition of the Stu Sutcliffe/Astrid Kirchherr love story in the early days of the Beatles when they were working dodgy clubs in Hamburg. Told with input from the real Astrid herself, which can only be a good thing.
The illustrations are fabulous and the story is touchingly told.
Well worth a look if you are a Beatles fan or if you're not.
The illustrations are fabulous and the story is touchingly told.
Well worth a look if you are a Beatles fan or if you're not.
A glimpse into an early period of the Beatles before they became famous, focusing on the relationship between Stuart Sutcliffe and Astrid Kirchherr, mostly from Astrid and her friend Klaus' perspectives. The black and white images are a little too dark and this feels like a superficial accounting of the Beatles' time in Hamburg. Overall 2.5 out of 5
WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOOWOWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
This is the most beautifully illustrated thing I have encountered since Angela Barrett's Beauty and the Beast that I never shut up about!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Naturally the story was beyond fab because duh do I even need to explain this? But the illustrations...the perfect balance of minimalism and creativity. The little bits of charcoal that swooped out of the frames made my heart tingle.
ALSO YES THIS IS VERY SAD.
This is the most beautifully illustrated thing I have encountered since Angela Barrett's Beauty and the Beast that I never shut up about!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Naturally the story was beyond fab because duh do I even need to explain this? But the illustrations...the perfect balance of minimalism and creativity. The little bits of charcoal that swooped out of the frames made my heart tingle.
ALSO YES THIS IS VERY SAD.
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
When Klaus Voormann wanders into a seedy Hamburg nightclub, he discovers the most amazing English band and has to share the news. He brings his long-time friend Astrid Kirchherr, a photographer and art student, to the club, where they listen to a new band called The Beatles. From these first few sessions, Astrid and Klaus quickly become friends with John, Paul, George, and Stuart Sutcliffe, the bass player. Astrid influences the band's look with her photos, her sense of fashion, and, of course, the haircuts she gives them. At the heart of this story is the romance between Astrid and Stuart, the fifth Beatle. Told in short narrative bursts, this book documents their brief but powerful relationship, up until Stuart's death. Readers will learn a bit about the history of The Beatles, and their time performing in Hamburg. We see the run-down clubs the band played in, the seeds of The Beatles imagery, and the relationships between band members. Told in black and white, this graphic novel's art is warm and has the feel of a charcoaled page, ready to smear under your fingers. I didn't know much about The Beatles' history when I read this, but I came away wanting to know more about Astrid, Stuart, and the band's time in Germany. While the story can make leaps in time that are a little difficult to follow, it's still an interesting read that tells a story not commonly known.