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mehsi's review against another edition
2.0
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
What did I just read? The first story was about a woman who gets to meet 3 dead people for no apparent reason it seems. She picks Darwin, Joseph Campbell, Marilyn Monroe. But Monroe is skipped as the woman's past pops her head up. Instead of Monroe we now get a closer view in the life of this woman, how she has PTSD, how she was assaulted (at least that is what I make up from it all). It was a bit confusing, as I was under the impression there would be 3 idols, and suddenly her past self makes an appearance instead. In the end it did fit, given she had a chance to make peace with her past.
The next story is Wallpaper. About a girl, how she moved, how they remodeled the house. Unlike the first story this one has text (telling us about the move, the remodel, how the girl got used to her new life) on one side, and gorgeous illustrations on the next page. I was a bit sad that it ended so abruptly. I feel there was so much more to be told. It would be nice if this story would be expanded.
The last story is called Makers. About two girls and their unorthodox friendship and how they grow up to adulthood. I loved how close they were together, how easily they formed a bond. I wasn't too amused that Hope never told her best friend about that though. Was she afraid she may not get in because of her friend? Was there something else?
I did feel sorry for Hope, her life at home isn't the easiest. Divorced parents, a dad a big believer, multiple siblings who seem to get more than she does.
But later on? With Hope in college? Tessa trying out work and everything? I hated Hope and how she acted towards Tessa. How she let everyone in her circle but apparently wasn't that interested in Tessa any more. Instead of talking to Tessa it just escalates and then poof.. I just was so unhappy with it. :( The ending was pretty sad.
The art was so-so, well it also really depended on the story. For instance with the first story the art worked, but I didn't like it that much. The anatomy on the people was wonky, at times the backgrounds (if they were there) felt rushed.
The second story however featured some gorgeous illustrations with lovely details. I really loved those.
The third story is back to the wonky art of the first story. Plus at times the text was really hard to read and I either had to squint or just take a guess on what was written. :(
All in all, I am not too sure if I liked it that much. It had some good parts, the art in the second story was magnificent, but there were also many things I didn't like or that confused me.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
What did I just read? The first story was about a woman who gets to meet 3 dead people for no apparent reason it seems. She picks Darwin, Joseph Campbell, Marilyn Monroe. But Monroe is skipped as the woman's past pops her head up. Instead of Monroe we now get a closer view in the life of this woman, how she has PTSD, how she was assaulted (at least that is what I make up from it all). It was a bit confusing, as I was under the impression there would be 3 idols, and suddenly her past self makes an appearance instead. In the end it did fit, given she had a chance to make peace with her past.
The next story is Wallpaper. About a girl, how she moved, how they remodeled the house. Unlike the first story this one has text (telling us about the move, the remodel, how the girl got used to her new life) on one side, and gorgeous illustrations on the next page. I was a bit sad that it ended so abruptly. I feel there was so much more to be told. It would be nice if this story would be expanded.
The last story is called Makers. About two girls and their unorthodox friendship and how they grow up to adulthood. I loved how close they were together, how easily they formed a bond. I wasn't too amused that Hope never told her best friend about that though. Was she afraid she may not get in because of her friend? Was there something else?
I did feel sorry for Hope, her life at home isn't the easiest. Divorced parents, a dad a big believer, multiple siblings who seem to get more than she does.
But later on? With Hope in college? Tessa trying out work and everything? I hated Hope and how she acted towards Tessa. How she let everyone in her circle but apparently wasn't that interested in Tessa any more. Instead of talking to Tessa it just escalates and then poof.. I just was so unhappy with it. :( The ending was pretty sad.
The art was so-so, well it also really depended on the story. For instance with the first story the art worked, but I didn't like it that much. The anatomy on the people was wonky, at times the backgrounds (if they were there) felt rushed.
The second story however featured some gorgeous illustrations with lovely details. I really loved those.
The third story is back to the wonky art of the first story. Plus at times the text was really hard to read and I either had to squint or just take a guess on what was written. :(
All in all, I am not too sure if I liked it that much. It had some good parts, the art in the second story was magnificent, but there were also many things I didn't like or that confused me.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
geekwayne's review against another edition
3.0
'Ghost Stories' by Whit Taylor is a series of 3 illustrated stories all dealing ghosts of a kind.
In the first story, the narrator is given the chance to meet three people who have died, including Charles Darwin and Thomas Campbell. In the second story, a young child relates a tragic story interspersed with different patterns of wallpaper. The third story is about a friendship of two girls who are makers and how that friendship drifts over time.
The stories are interesting. The art varies. Overall the three stories are well written and even have the feel of being personal.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Rosarium Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
In the first story, the narrator is given the chance to meet three people who have died, including Charles Darwin and Thomas Campbell. In the second story, a young child relates a tragic story interspersed with different patterns of wallpaper. The third story is about a friendship of two girls who are makers and how that friendship drifts over time.
The stories are interesting. The art varies. Overall the three stories are well written and even have the feel of being personal.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Rosarium Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Told with a relatable and accessible art-style and various narratives, Ghost Stories offers three stories as to what a ghost can be and how it affects us. In the first tale, three figures impart their wisdom to the main character. In the second, the main character contemplates housing through a series of diary-style entries and wallpaper. In the third, the main character tells the story of a best friendship that ultimately falls apart through distance. All three tales are haunting in unexpected ways, and all discuss hardships and difficulties.
I've seen some reviews of this book that criticized it for not having any actual ghosts or "ghost stories" in it and therefore being misleading, some for the artwork, some for the narrative. And honestly? Y'all be haters. To me, this is a book about truth, and as a piece of both literature and art, I find it compelling, honest, and real. And the fact that Taylor makes it all work only enhances the quality of these stories. Definitely an important graphic novel in the realm of women's narratives.
Review cross-listed here!
I've seen some reviews of this book that criticized it for not having any actual ghosts or "ghost stories" in it and therefore being misleading, some for the artwork, some for the narrative. And honestly? Y'all be haters. To me, this is a book about truth, and as a piece of both literature and art, I find it compelling, honest, and real. And the fact that Taylor makes it all work only enhances the quality of these stories. Definitely an important graphic novel in the realm of women's narratives.
Review cross-listed here!
fireth's review against another edition
3.0
This novel has three short stories, and they have different styles of drawings.
The first story, which is also the namesake of the book, was boring. I red several times over times but never completed it until today. I was happy to know that the second and third was not related. I wouldn’t have finished if they were.
The first story, which is also the namesake of the book, was boring. I red several times over times but never completed it until today. I was happy to know that the second and third was not related. I wouldn’t have finished if they were.
octobertune's review
2.0
Meh, honestly this was not at all what I was expecting. I was expecting actual ghost stories... Not... this... The artwork was a bit... dare I say childish? Yeah I ended up skimming the last story because 1) I couldn't read the text on my tablet at all and 2) I had kind of lost interest. A shame.
ruby_roo's review against another edition
2.0
I just don't think I understood this. Everything was kind of open to interpretation, which I really don't like. The art style was okay. I just didn't connect with this at all.
ljrinaldi's review against another edition
3.0
It isn't that I don't like semi-autobiographic stories. I do. It isn't that I don't like art that is rough, I can get around that as well.
My problem with this book, a series of three stories is that there is so much left unexplained, and unfinished.
The first one, for which the book is named, is about a woman who can meet three people from the past, for one day. She meets two people from the past, who have long since died, and the third, which I won't spoil for you...yes I will, she meets herself, which, brings up trauma that happened in her past. And that is it. The end. I suppose that is life, but that could have been expanded on.
The second story is about wall paper in the house. And that is about it. I'm sure it was more deep than that, but I didn't get anything out of it.
The third story is of a good friend, who becomes an absent friend, and that is it. It is long and drawn out, and sad, but that is it. No resolution, but then, again, that is how semi-autobiographical stories are. They do not always resolve, but it would have been nice to have a little more or perhaps a little less.
I won't say reading it was a waste of time, but rather that I didn't get it, and that might be just my problem, and others will love it. I'm sure it is all very clever, and over my head, or whatever people who love it will say.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
My problem with this book, a series of three stories is that there is so much left unexplained, and unfinished.
The first one, for which the book is named, is about a woman who can meet three people from the past, for one day. She meets two people from the past, who have long since died, and the third, which I won't spoil for you...yes I will, she meets herself, which, brings up trauma that happened in her past. And that is it. The end. I suppose that is life, but that could have been expanded on.
The second story is about wall paper in the house. And that is about it. I'm sure it was more deep than that, but I didn't get anything out of it.
The third story is of a good friend, who becomes an absent friend, and that is it. It is long and drawn out, and sad, but that is it. No resolution, but then, again, that is how semi-autobiographical stories are. They do not always resolve, but it would have been nice to have a little more or perhaps a little less.
I won't say reading it was a waste of time, but rather that I didn't get it, and that might be just my problem, and others will love it. I'm sure it is all very clever, and over my head, or whatever people who love it will say.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
strangemanners's review against another edition
2.0
I really thought I would love this book. The first story is very interesting but rest is just okay. I didn't feel connected as I thought as I would feel with this type of book and a few times I was actually quite bored. I didn't understand why she decided to put all three stories together because for me they don't have a lot in common. It was an interesting reading and maybe, just maybe, if I was reading the physical copy insted of digitial I would have enjoyed a little bit more. It wasn't the case.
I received this copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
jessicah95's review
3.0
Certainly not 'ghost stories' in the traditional sense, these three illustrated stories all look at how people and experiences can become ghosts to us in some way or another. The art isn't really my style, and I didn't enjoy the first story, which I found to be quite confusing. However I really enjoyed the other two stories and found them to be heartfelt and memorable.
Thank you to Netgalley and Rosarium Publishing for providing an eBook of this for review.
Thank you to Netgalley and Rosarium Publishing for providing an eBook of this for review.