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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Wow. Just - wow.
I sat down to review this after finishing Boxers - directly after reading [b:Saints|17210471|Saints (Boxers & Saints, #2)|Gene Luen Yang|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1359199657s/17210471.jpg|23691810] - and it's incredibly overwhelming. This historical fiction graphic novel follows Little Bao from his quiet village to the capital of China as he attempts to free China from Western military and political influence and "keep China whole." But his journey isn't precisely like the ones in the operas he loves so dearly, and his path wavers in places.
While I'd recommend this graphic novel to absolutely everyone, it would be best read by someone interested in learning more about world history or a particular interest in colonialism in literature.
I sat down to review this after finishing Boxers - directly after reading [b:Saints|17210471|Saints (Boxers & Saints, #2)|Gene Luen Yang|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1359199657s/17210471.jpg|23691810] - and it's incredibly overwhelming. This historical fiction graphic novel follows Little Bao from his quiet village to the capital of China as he attempts to free China from Western military and political influence and "keep China whole." But his journey isn't precisely like the ones in the operas he loves so dearly, and his path wavers in places.
While I'd recommend this graphic novel to absolutely everyone, it would be best read by someone interested in learning more about world history or a particular interest in colonialism in literature.
3.5 stars
CW: war (battles and killing)*
In this duology, we see two sides of the Boxer Rebellion.
The part 'Boxers' focuses on one of the Boxers. The Boxers were (mostly) peasants who took it upon themselves to drive foreigners out of their country.
I love that the gods are characters in the story. It brings the story to life.
As in American Born Chinese, the author does a great job sharing the Chinese culture in a way that does not come across too 'explanatory,' whilst always providing enough to grasp the situation. However, I would have enjoyed some more historical background concerning the Boxer Rebellion.
*After having a discussion with a few people, I decided to include content and trigger warnings in my book reviews from now on, in the hope that that might help someone. I will not do this for every small thing that gets brought up, but for larger, overarching themes. If you have questions, suggestions on this topic, let me know!
CW: war (battles and killing)*
In this duology, we see two sides of the Boxer Rebellion.
The part 'Boxers' focuses on one of the Boxers. The Boxers were (mostly) peasants who took it upon themselves to drive foreigners out of their country.
I love that the gods are characters in the story. It brings the story to life.
As in American Born Chinese, the author does a great job sharing the Chinese culture in a way that does not come across too 'explanatory,' whilst always providing enough to grasp the situation. However, I would have enjoyed some more historical background concerning the Boxer Rebellion.
*After having a discussion with a few people, I decided to include content and trigger warnings in my book reviews from now on, in the hope that that might help someone. I will not do this for every small thing that gets brought up, but for larger, overarching themes. If you have questions, suggestions on this topic, let me know!
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Yet another major historical event that I was never taught about in school. I had heard of the Boxer Rebellion when I was younger purely because of my fascination with history, but never have I read about it in such a format and with such amazing storytelling and art and symbolism. This was such a very creative and witty retelling of one side of the boxer rebellion and Gene Luen Yang did not shy away from illustrating some gory and violent art amongst all the tragedy, heightening the loss and shock.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence
Yang’s artwork is what really drew me into this tale of the Boxer rebellion in China at the turn of the century. Bright and bold with strong lines - it reminds me of one of my favorite Shag prints, especially when the stylized magical realism kicks in and the Chinese opera gods spring to action.
I wish there’d been more historical background / an afterwards - been googling a lot about the battle of Peking and everything else this book portrayed ever since!
I wish there’d been more historical background / an afterwards - been googling a lot about the battle of Peking and everything else this book portrayed ever since!
Will count for the Read Hard 2016 Challenge under:
Read a non-superhero comic that debuted in the last three years.
Read a non-superhero comic that debuted in the last three years.
Wow this graphic novel was actually very sad. It is a great representation of war and what war does to a person's soul and sense of morality. I loved the art work in this book as well. I will definitely pick up the second installment!
Made me want to learn more about The Boxer Rebellion! Also was a painful reminder of how senseless war can be.
History of the Boxer rebellion interestingly told from the Boxers pov. Really good.
An interesting take on history and an interesting way of portraying it in a why kids will read.