Reviews

Letter to Survivors by Gebe

shamfeldt's review

dark fast-paced

3.5

triplecitrus's review

dark funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

robin_dh's review

dark funny lighthearted mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

madtnation's review

dark funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

orchidd's review

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

bookscatsandjazz's review

3.0

In this short graphic novel, a family living inside a bunker in a land destroyed by nuclear war is repeatedly visited by a mailman in a hazmat suit who reads letters to them through the vent. Each letter - from an unknown sender - contains a story about life before the apocalypse. And at each visit, this post-apocalyptic Bard leaves the family more and more distressed.The art style is simple but very effective. And although the book is not new - its first French release was in 1981 -, and the fears of a nuclear apocalypse have been somewhat dispelled, the story feels more relevant with each passing day. By the end, it's clear Gébé has a very specific message - for the characters and the reader - and, even if this message is delivered in a heavy-handed way, perhaps it's one we should listen to.

"We'll be waiting for them right outside their five-star bomb shelters. (...) They'll expect to get butchered but all we'll do is spit at their feet."

Português:
Nessa curta graphic novel, uma família dentro de um bunker em uma terra devastada por um desastre nuclear recebe visitas periódicas de um carteiro que lê cartas para os ocupantes através do sistema de ventilação. Cada carta - de um autor não identificado - contém uma história sobre o mundo antes de sua destruição. E a cada visita, esse bardo pós apocalíptico deixa para trás uma família mais e mais perturbada. O estilo da arte é simples mas eficaz. E, embora o livro não seja novo - a primeira publicação na França foi em 1982 -, e os medos de uma hecatombe nuclear tenham see dissipado, a obra parece mais relevante a cada dia. Ao final do livro, fica claro que Gébé tem uma mensagem bem específica - para os personagens e para o leitor. E, mesmo que essa mensagem seja entregue de maneira pouco sutil, talvez seja uma que faríamos por bem ouvir.

finnywinny's review

3.0

Liked the ending.

remembered_reads's review

dark

3.25

slimikin's review

3.0

I suspect this might have resonated with me a great deal more if the vignettes in the letter connected to my own cultural nostalgia, but even without that depth of emotional connection, I appreciate what Gébé expresses here about how the destruction of humanity starts long before its literal destruction—and can, perhaps, be prevented from recurring if we change the ways people view themselves and how their actions shape the world. I also greatly enjoyed Gauvin's introduction...and the insights into Gébé's art (and anarchy).

indigolq's review

dark funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0