Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
informative
reflective
fast-paced
I was today years old when I decided to learn more about the Boxer Rebellion, which led me down the Eight Nation Alliance rabbit hole and if nothing else, this graphic novel is an entryway to further educating people on colonialism in East Asia.
In this graphic novel, Yang portrays historical events through a fantastical lens, putting forward a village boy who comes to extraordinary power at the forefront. In a story that mourns China's cultural erasure by Western influences, Yang draws on Chinese legends to serve as the power and inspiration behind those standing up against the assault on land, power, and identity.
The ending is appropriately somber and because the last tenth of the book must narratively also serve as the end of the second book in the duology, I'm intrigued!
In this graphic novel, Yang portrays historical events through a fantastical lens, putting forward a village boy who comes to extraordinary power at the forefront. In a story that mourns China's cultural erasure by Western influences, Yang draws on Chinese legends to serve as the power and inspiration behind those standing up against the assault on land, power, and identity.
The ending is appropriately somber and because the last tenth of the book must narratively also serve as the end of the second book in the duology, I'm intrigued!
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A gut punch
Still not sure how I feel about graphic novels after reading this. It was a beautiful story of history and culture that is beautifully illustrated.
Gene Yang's take on the Boxer Rebellion. Some great art, though I think certain story elements could have been setup better.
This book is the first in two volumes about the Boxer Rebellion, targeted towards YA audiences (or towards children - I can’t tell). The two volumes tell the story of the rebellion from different protagonist’s POV - each of whom is on the opposing sides.
This volume follows a young Chinese boy, Little Bao, who has “had enough [of] … bands of foreign missionaries and soldiers [roaming] the countryside, bullying and robbing Chinese peasants.”
He harnesses the powers of ancient Chinese gods and sets out to avenge his people and fight for China. However, Mulan this isn’t. His rebellion is violent and disconcerting because he doesn’t spare Chinese converts who are “secondary devils”. All Christians - even women and children are evil - and as an adult, I knew this wouldn’t end well.
However, I was surprised at how non-judgmental the author was. There is sorrow in the book - parts which made me cry (and still make me tear up when thinking about it) but he doesn’t make Little Boa evil. There is justice in his anger which I recognize, but it goes too far. Even though I knew little about the actual historical events (quick google search aside), the story is quite familiar when looking at Colonial history.
Perhaps it is that context - and the fact that the rebellion ultimately failed - which broke my heart. The ending especially left me in tears. Despite the presence of the gods - this isn’t a fantasy and ends as I would have expected historically.
This is historical fiction being used well - and worth checking out for younger readers.
Even though not sensationalized, the on page violence is present and graphic. This may be too much for very young readers so parents should probably read this first (or read it even if they don't want to give it to their kids).
The art style is quite simple - which I kind of liked. There were no detailed full page layouts here - ala Marvel or DC - which prevented the violence from being “cool”.
In the end - everything felt deliberate and in service of the story. That put it over for me to a wholehearted 5 stars.
I may have to wait to read book 2 because I am not sure I can read another book which stomps on my tiny tiny little heart.
This volume follows a young Chinese boy, Little Bao, who has “had enough [of] … bands of foreign missionaries and soldiers [roaming] the countryside, bullying and robbing Chinese peasants.”
He harnesses the powers of ancient Chinese gods and sets out to avenge his people and fight for China. However, Mulan this isn’t. His rebellion is violent and disconcerting because he doesn’t spare Chinese converts who are “secondary devils”. All Christians - even women and children are evil - and as an adult, I knew this wouldn’t end well.
However, I was surprised at how non-judgmental the author was. There is sorrow in the book - parts which made me cry (and still make me tear up when thinking about it) but he doesn’t make Little Boa evil. There is justice in his anger which I recognize, but it goes too far. Even though I knew little about the actual historical events (quick google search aside), the story is quite familiar when looking at Colonial history.
Perhaps it is that context - and the fact that the rebellion ultimately failed - which broke my heart. The ending especially left me in tears. Despite the presence of the gods - this isn’t a fantasy and ends as I would have expected historically.
This is historical fiction being used well - and worth checking out for younger readers.
Even though not sensationalized, the on page violence is present and graphic. This may be too much for very young readers so parents should probably read this first (or read it even if they don't want to give it to their kids).
The art style is quite simple - which I kind of liked. There were no detailed full page layouts here - ala Marvel or DC - which prevented the violence from being “cool”.
In the end - everything felt deliberate and in service of the story. That put it over for me to a wholehearted 5 stars.
I may have to wait to read book 2 because I am not sure I can read another book which stomps on my tiny tiny little heart.
adventurous
adventurous
challenging
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Part of a duology about the effects of foreign interference in China during the Victorian era. Bloody Colonialism has so much to answer for!
I really had only the barest knowledge about the Boxer Rebellion. The author really captures and knocks you over with the mess that this “intervention” caused for the poor people in China. As I read this and the accompanying gn, ‘Saints’, suddenly current global politics made a lot more sense.
No happy endings in these books, pretty hard hitting but essential reading.
I really had only the barest knowledge about the Boxer Rebellion. The author really captures and knocks you over with the mess that this “intervention” caused for the poor people in China. As I read this and the accompanying gn, ‘Saints’, suddenly current global politics made a lot more sense.
No happy endings in these books, pretty hard hitting but essential reading.
78%
Fascinating take on the Chinese Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901). Not gonna lie, I didn't know much about it other than its name and the fact that it took place in China, so this historical fiction graphic novel was a great way to learn about the era and what fueled the tensions; I look forward to reading it's companion written from the POV of the opposite side of the rebellion.
Fascinating take on the Chinese Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901). Not gonna lie, I didn't know much about it other than its name and the fact that it took place in China, so this historical fiction graphic novel was a great way to learn about the era and what fueled the tensions; I look forward to reading it's companion written from the POV of the opposite side of the rebellion.