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wenwanzhao's review
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
What a beautiful story. I love the way the fairy tales and the life of the Tíên were interwoven. I got really emotional and found it to be quite personally relatable at times. It doesn't hurt that the art is gorgeous. Great graphic novel all around
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
bethsreading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Homophobia
tinytrashqueen's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Homophobia, Blood, and Cannibalism
emily_mh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? No
4.75
This graphic novel was so incredibly clever. The way the fairytales Tiến and Helen tell each other are tied into the narrative not only to reflect particular events but, as the author points out, more overarching themes of immigration. The way the fairytales are used to communicate ideas between the characters - this really highlighted the power of stories. And the fairytales were fantastic in and of themselves! The author also explains so many layers of meaning that I missed my first time reading, so I think this is one of those books where you’ve got to reread to pick up on all the nuances. For example, he discusses how imagery of the fairytale being told changes based on who is narrating, which blew my mind when I flicked back through the book. I could just tell that so much thought and detail went into expressing the story.
At its core this book is about a mother-son relationship which it displays impeccably. The love and the care Tiến and Helen had for one another! Their desire to understand and be understood! I especially loved that Helen was included as a character in her own right, as it is rare for a mother-figure to have this. This inclusion brought the theme of a two-sided relationship to life as both sides of the story were shown.
The art was gorgeous. There was super effective use of colour in that only three were used (in different tones) so as to demarcate parts of the book: red for the present, blue for fairytales, and yellow for the past. The detail of the clothing and hair of the characters was wonderful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Gore, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Torture, Medical content, and War
Moderate: the refugee experience, sick loved one, loss of a loved one, forced separation from family, death of pet Minor: child bride, drowningwilliamgideon's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
An extremely well-crafted and touching story. I love the intertextuality with the fairytales woven through the main story. I loved the mother-son relationship and the main characters supportive friends. And most of all, I adore the art! This book makes me wanna become a graphic novelist!! Excellent!! Literally 0 complaints!!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Homophobia and Blood
jay_bubblez's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
A quiet, heartbreaking, and deeply moving story about identity, understanding and learning to communicate with those you love the most. The art style is simple and endearing, but still holds so much detail, love, and story, and a blend of cultures and time periods is very clearly expressed in the architecture, colour, and clothing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Blood
Minor: Hate crime and Homophobia
twinsinparadise's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? No
4.5
THIS IS SO SWEET
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia
anna_m_k's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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? No
5.0
Moving and sweet, this is a tale of a boy connecting with his family, especially his mother, through fairy tales. The story shows how stories can bridge the gap between people when language cannot express the thoughts you hold. As is the underlying commentary of the archetypes used in fairy tales and the archetypes in immigrant stories. Also, the art is beautiful and graceful with a living quality.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Death
Minor: Cannibalism
limabeanninja's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
redrosemoth's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia