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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I went into this blind, not knowing anything about it. I was surprised at the topic, and then continually surprised at the direction the story took. The author doesn't shy away from tough questions about morality, right and wrong, and war, in general. Really powerful- I'm glad it exists.
I'm going to combine my review of both Boxers and Saints into this one section, since I read them back to back. These graphic novels were amazingly compelling, as well as historically accurate (I think!), besides the magic, and the art was fantastic.
Although I didn't really connect with any of the characters, I don't think I was necessarily supposed to. However, I think I enjoyed Saints more not because it was better, but because I myself am a Catholic, so I understood more of where it was coming from. But I think that's what make these graphic novels so good too--it shows both sides, and what both sides did right and wrong. They were a very thought-provoking duology, and I'm super happy I read them!
Although I didn't really connect with any of the characters, I don't think I was necessarily supposed to. However, I think I enjoyed Saints more not because it was better, but because I myself am a Catholic, so I understood more of where it was coming from. But I think that's what make these graphic novels so good too--it shows both sides, and what both sides did right and wrong. They were a very thought-provoking duology, and I'm super happy I read them!
I love learning history through a story. And with Gene Luen Yang’s art, it doesn’t get much better.
I know pretty much nothing about the Boxer Rebellion so this was a very interesting read. Kind of reminded me of Breaking Bad (?!?)
Extremely palatable way to absorb historical fiction. Although some of the modern comic book slang felt out of place in the story to me.
Ack! The ending!! And of course I left Saints at work so I can't finish until next week...
The closest you come to Mario Vargas Llosa in a graphic novel set in China and written for younger people. The companion to "Saints", this volume is told from the perspective of the Chinese side in the Boxer rebellion. It is a combination of realism and Chinese mythology--a contrast with the Western mythology that infuses "Saints"--that tells the story of a boy who fights against injustice by learning Kung Fu, training villagers, and setting off on a rebellion. Ultimately, he makes a deal with the corrupt Chinese authorities who abandon him at the very end in the face of relentless pressure from foreign troops.
A number of the key incidents from "Saints" are also shown in "Boxers", but it gives another perspective on them. In some cases the characters are the same in both--like a Christian convert ruffian and a Chinese boxer who is more interested in pursuing women than in pursuing justice. But some of the main characters, like the priest Father Bey and the rebellious boxers, are portrayed completely differently in the two books.
Ultimately, Boxers gives you more sympathy for a group that it depicts burning women and children to death in churches than you would have thought possible, but it hardly excuses the actions and--like Vargas Llosa--shows them as a function of a circular brutality that ultimately stems from the authorities themselves.
A number of the key incidents from "Saints" are also shown in "Boxers", but it gives another perspective on them. In some cases the characters are the same in both--like a Christian convert ruffian and a Chinese boxer who is more interested in pursuing women than in pursuing justice. But some of the main characters, like the priest Father Bey and the rebellious boxers, are portrayed completely differently in the two books.
Ultimately, Boxers gives you more sympathy for a group that it depicts burning women and children to death in churches than you would have thought possible, but it hardly excuses the actions and--like Vargas Llosa--shows them as a function of a circular brutality that ultimately stems from the authorities themselves.
Loved!! Chinese history + one of my fav graphic novel writers=perfection. Can't wait to read companion. YA
Slightly longer and gorier than its companion, but still truly thought-provoking. The Printz Medal crew had better recognize these two amazing pieces of work.