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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Gene Luen Yang is one of my favorite graphic novel writers and artists. I feel like his stories have deeper meaning and just really resonate with me, even if the symbolism maybe goes over my head. Recently, I read Saints and so, because I am a bit obsessive, I absolutely had to read Boxers because it is a companion to Saints. Also, the book is all about grassroots revolution and history and that kind of thing is really, very fascinating to me.
Read the rest of my review here
Read the rest of my review here
Boxers is a fantastic book that explores the devastating realities of war and a fascinating part of Chinese history. The story flows wonderfully and it kept me reading. Even as you can't help but cheer on the main protagonist Bao, you also can't help but see that some of the actions he's taking are heinous and desperate, and it doesn't shy away from showing the impact of that. Highly recommended. I look forward to starting Saints.
I knew next to nothing about the Boxer Rebellion before I read this. It makes more sense now. I can see why it would feel like your country has been invaded. It was and they were treated very well. Interesting that farmers were trained as fighters.
I love the Chinese Opera that Little Bao loves. We have that in common. I love that they become mythic figures from the past when they fight. It is lovely. I think the art is great and the culture is represented well from what I can tell. I am a fan of Gene's work.
This is very well done and I will be reading Saints. I want to see the other side as well. There was a lot of blood shed. China has a complicated past. They like to blame the west for opium, but there was an emperor before the opium wars who spent 30 years basically in an opium haze. His eunuchs ruled for him basically. Another great book was Tai Pan about the founding of Hong Kong. China history is so long and so much good stuff there. Very dramatic. This book was fantastic for what it did. It entertained and presented one side of a conflict in Chinese history.
I love the Chinese Opera that Little Bao loves. We have that in common. I love that they become mythic figures from the past when they fight. It is lovely. I think the art is great and the culture is represented well from what I can tell. I am a fan of Gene's work.
This is very well done and I will be reading Saints. I want to see the other side as well. There was a lot of blood shed. China has a complicated past. They like to blame the west for opium, but there was an emperor before the opium wars who spent 30 years basically in an opium haze. His eunuchs ruled for him basically. Another great book was Tai Pan about the founding of Hong Kong. China history is so long and so much good stuff there. Very dramatic. This book was fantastic for what it did. It entertained and presented one side of a conflict in Chinese history.
Wow, I have to highly recommend Boxers and Saints (the pair - it's kind of hard to have them apart). It made me want to know more about the Boxer rebellion, first of all. But it is also ultimately the story of so many other countries - the endless tumble of right and wrong in the midst of civil unrest. Of course the art is great, too, so it is really the complete package.
Boxers and Saints are two graphic novels telling the story of the Boxer Rebellion in China from different points of view. Boxers takes on the story of a peasant leading an uprising against the "foreign devils." We see the lies and arrogance of Christian missionaries and foreign diplomats, and watch as the peasants harness supernatural power and rise up to reclaim their land. It really presents the history in an engaging and educational manner, while also opening a lot of issues for consideration, from faith and nationalism to gender roles.
Read 02/26/2019
3.5 stars. I had no idea what this was going into it but I realized quickly it was historical fiction. My bf seemed to know exactly what it was at first glance, but he’s a history teacher... that said. It wasn’t my favorite, but I’ll be reading the 2nd part to see where things go. My favorite part is the women army, I would love to see more of that but I guess the story is restricted by the history!
3.5 stars. I had no idea what this was going into it but I realized quickly it was historical fiction. My bf seemed to know exactly what it was at first glance, but he’s a history teacher... that said. It wasn’t my favorite, but I’ll be reading the 2nd part to see where things go. My favorite part is the women army, I would love to see more of that but I guess the story is restricted by the history!
Violent but within a historical context. Could be confusing for graphic novel readers who aren't used to more complex stories, but those that are will love this.
This was heartbreaking to see how the misunderstanding and impact of clashing cultures, beliefs, and ideologies led to unfortunate tragedies.
I'm interested in reading Saints to see the other side, the other perspective.
I'm interested in reading Saints to see the other side, the other perspective.
Graphic telling of the story of the Boxer rebellion through the eyes of the rebels. So, it is a downer. I really like Yang's artistic style. The image of Qin shi Huang as a nationalist hero is a new perspective for me.
Lovely and horrifying. In real life there are no good guys or bad guys; everyone has reasons that make sense from their own point of view. And I loved how the supernatural parts were incorporated, adding layers to the story without removing it at all from the realm of reality. Gorgeous.