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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
A super-cool topic to focus on for a graphic novel. I loved how Chinese gods were made real in this novel as a way to understand the Boxers' worldview. I can't wait to read Saints!
Rating these kinds of things is harder for me because sometimes there are things about a culture that just rubs me the wrong way and in this case it's historical legends and beliefs. And like most historical things, women are often if not sources of evil, reasons why good men fail. And that is something I never enjoy or like reading about and negatively affects my experience. So I'm not going to rate this title.
That moment when you check out only Boxers from the library thinking it would be selfish to also check out Saints since you read so slowly and don't have time, but then get sick and read Boxers and are left with a cliffhanger.
I don't know if this is historically accurate, but it's gripping, tense, and dark.
An enjoyable book about an important time in Chinese history that I know very little about. The introduction of Christianity is typically seen as a beneficial time for society. This is seen from the other side and shows the disruption that can cause. Little Bao just wants things to keep on the way they have been, but that's not possible. The Westerners feel they are above the Chinese and take liberties with those around them.
The fantastical part of the book comes into play with how Little Bao fights back against those Westerners. He learns a charm that allows a hero of history and the opera to take over a person so they are more impressive fighters. Too bad they aren't immune to bullets. My favorite part was when the men and boys get into trouble and are losing, and they are saved by women. The men and women fight together for a time. The leader of the women starts to use her powers to heal instead of kill. She also tries to talk Bao out of burning the library. Too bad by the time Bao works himself up to burning the library, it's all for nought as an army of Westerners comes from behind.
The fantastical part of the book comes into play with how Little Bao fights back against those Westerners. He learns a charm that allows a hero of history and the opera to take over a person so they are more impressive fighters. Too bad they aren't immune to bullets. My favorite part was when the men and boys get into trouble and are losing, and they are saved by women. The men and women fight together for a time. The leader of the women starts to use her powers to heal instead of kill. She also tries to talk Bao out of burning the library. Too bad by the time Bao works himself up to burning the library, it's all for nought as an army of Westerners comes from behind.
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
an intense and stunningly realized exploration of some of the moral complexities around the boxer rebellion. this is a period of history i don't know much about, and so i can't evaluate yang's narrativization of it super well, but the richness of characterization and storytelling in very sparse visuals and dialogue was amazing.
Boxers, a fictional graphic -meaning both pictorial and violent- telling of the Boxer Rebellion is absolutely phenomenal. It manages to be touching, deep, funny, and accessible all at the same time.
Although some parents won't have problems with their children reading this, do be warned that this does not shy away from the violence that occurred during the various fights that led to the final battle between the Boxers and the foreigners who took root in China in the late 1890s and early 1900s.
Although some parents won't have problems with their children reading this, do be warned that this does not shy away from the violence that occurred during the various fights that led to the final battle between the Boxers and the foreigners who took root in China in the late 1890s and early 1900s.
Fascinating and magical series that feels real in spite of the surreal elements. I knew nothing of this history and it was an amazing way to learn.
I don't know why, but I found this half of the story much more compelling than [book:Saints|17210471]. Bao's journey to becoming leader of the Righteous and Harmonious Fist was fascinating and deeply sad. On this end of history, knowing that the rebellion is fruitless colors the story in a very depressing light. Yang also does an excellent job of showing the struggles that one must face when fighting for one's own beliefs - do we cause others suffering, do we consider their lives lesser than the greater good we uphold? Bao continually struggles with even his own moral edicts - protecting the weak and helpless, but at the cost of China, his end goal? Listening to the one he loves or going through with what he feels is the only option for victory. That is the reason I really enjoyed this book more - it had more substance, more ethical considerations, more meat to it.
Yang also forces Western readers with having to look through the eyes of those different from them. As some not Chinese, someone raised in Western culture, it is difficult to see how Westerners negatively impacted other cultures for personal or religious gains. The takeaway, for me, is that no matter your beliefs, barging in and imposing your own beliefs/culture/dreams on another is a backwards way of doing things. Empathy and understanding are needed when two cultures meet, to avoid misunderstanding, bloodshed, and mistreatment of others.
All in all, a very good series - worth a read. It provides an opportunity to see history from other sides.
Yang also forces Western readers with having to look through the eyes of those different from them. As some not Chinese, someone raised in Western culture, it is difficult to see how Westerners negatively impacted other cultures for personal or religious gains. The takeaway, for me, is that no matter your beliefs, barging in and imposing your own beliefs/culture/dreams on another is a backwards way of doing things. Empathy and understanding are needed when two cultures meet, to avoid misunderstanding, bloodshed, and mistreatment of others.
All in all, a very good series - worth a read. It provides an opportunity to see history from other sides.