Reviews

The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen

ebweeks's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

dsouash's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

_haven_'s review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Loved this, big fan. Gorgeous artwork.

llorona's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Such a beautifully crafted story with unique and structured tie-ins that are worth discovering as you progress through the book. Truly a gift to the world. Coming from an immigrant family as a queer individual who always struggles with having the right vocabulary to communicate all my thoughts and feelings this book makes me feel seen. Beautifully done, all of it!

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aristielle's review against another edition

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5.0

That was amazing.

I loved how the story incorporated fairy tales that I absolutely adore, and at the same time delivering stunning and mesmerizing art. The art style was so wonderful, and the story itself captivated me and warmed my heart. This was so comfortable to read, it didn't make me sleepy as most books do (especially it being literally 5 A.M. in the morning atm with no ounce of sleep). I'm a sucker for child-parent stories and I love how we got supportive aunties 'cause my aunt sucks.

May be my favorite book this 2024. It's still early but it's definitely on #1 rn for it is overall so wonderful. This was the right book for me, maybe it can be others as well. <3

-random 14 year old in the internet at 5 A.M with no ounce of sleep

filipacarvalho's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I loved this book from page one!
I knew I was getting into a story about a little boy trying to connect with his mother, but I wasn’t expecting the mother’s story line to be such an integral part to the book. It was an incredible surprise! And one that made so much sense. When you’re trying to tell a story about connection, it helps so much, as the reader, to know both sides so well.
I was in love with the characters by page two. I cried when they cried, I was in rage when they were being treated unfairly, I hugged it close to my heart when I finished, so that I could give the characters a hug.
A special mention to the friend group, that even if it wasn’t a big part of the story, they were fantastic all the same.
The fairy tales, and the way they are woven into this book are without a doubt my favorite part. I loved seeing the different interpretations of fairy tales and the way they changed with each culture and character. I loved the extra content the author wrote and drew at the end, explaining all the little nuances that went into this particular aspect of the book.
The art is stunning. It’s very rare that I pick up a graphic novel in full color, which would be worth it just for the aesthetic of it, but the way Trung Le Nguyen uses color to tell the story along his intricate beautiful drawing had me in love.
It is a story about a boy trying to come out to his mother. But I think it’s above all a story about connection. Connection between a mother and a son that are not from the same country. Between a mother and her mother, that was left behind. The mother and the new country she had to run to, not knowing a word of the language. And how stories and storytelling will always help us with that.

laurynturk's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

If I could give this more than five stars I would. This was beautiful, steeped in stories and love. The illustrations were beyond anything I could have imagined. 

This is the type of graphic novel I’d give my kids when they’re growing up. It is acceptance, love, and everything that we need in this world wrapped into a beautifully portrayed graphic novel. It speaks without having to say words, and the connections within are so beautifully intricate. 

I want to live in this little bubble of acceptance, love, and joy. There is so much here that I feel so many need to see, to read, to experience and I think that everyone should read this book once. My heart has swelled with warmth and happiness, with love and kindness. This graphic novel will be in my classroom library, in my own library at home, and in the hands of anyone I can give it to who wants to read it.

gaugedgage's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

sarahtran314's review against another edition

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5.0

Gorgeous illustrations and a touching, small-scale tale. Always feels like a homecoming to read another work from a fellow queer Viet American.

robirb's review against another edition

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emotional

5.0

Kicking myself that it took me so long to read this absolute gem.