Scan barcode
gsellers's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
4.0
norygraph's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? N/A
5.0
littlemimus's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
ohclaire's review against another edition
5.0
beautiful artwork, loved using the fairytales to tell the main story, just nice!
fishky's review against another edition
5.0
Its hard to know what to say here because it is a simple story.
The Story:
Immigrant family, mother emotionally relates to her son through fairytales from her youth, son is struggling to fit in and come out to his parents as his mother plans to finally return home to see her own mother — but after years of planning, she's (just barely) too late. Meanwhile, her son dances with one of his best friends & his crush, who expresses that he knows the son's feelings and, even if he doesn't return them romantically, doesn't feel like the revelation impacts the love and respect he has for him as a friend. Some nosy asshole teachers essentially push the son into a religious conversion therapy kind of deal and its through their snitchery that his mother learns that he's gay. She doesn't seem to know what to say, and he's very worried, but she tells him a version of The Little Mermaid where the mermaid's love for the prince charming or whatever isn't reciprocated, the object of her affections is in love with another woman, and then — she herself ends up with this woman. Acceptance!
Additional thoughts:
It was a book about variations of stories to communicate empathy that was itself a variation of a story that successfully delivered its emotional payload. Beautiful art, bittersweet, and then lovely.
The Story:
Immigrant family, mother emotionally relates to her son through fairytales from her youth, son is struggling to fit in and come out to his parents as his mother plans to finally return home to see her own mother — but after years of planning, she's (just barely) too late. Meanwhile, her son dances with one of his best friends & his crush, who expresses that he knows the son's feelings and, even if he doesn't return them romantically, doesn't feel like the revelation impacts the love and respect he has for him as a friend. Some nosy asshole teachers essentially push the son into a religious conversion therapy kind of deal and its through their snitchery that his mother learns that he's gay. She doesn't seem to know what to say, and he's very worried, but she tells him a version of The Little Mermaid where the mermaid's love for the prince charming or whatever isn't reciprocated, the object of her affections is in love with another woman, and then — she herself ends up with this woman. Acceptance!
Additional thoughts:
It was a book about variations of stories to communicate empathy that was itself a variation of a story that successfully delivered its emotional payload. Beautiful art, bittersweet, and then lovely.
wildelwrcase's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Sweet if very simplistic. Wish they went full into the 'speaking 2 different languages' aspect rather than the fairy tales aspect. The art was absolutely gorgeous though and accounts for at minimum half a star all on its own.
dqrklightning's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
mmochatte's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
absolutely stunning illustrations, heartwarming immigrant story but through the lens of classic fairytales. the author’s note is so special and combines very unique insights on the immigrant experience with thoughtful and brilliant storytelling. I have read maybe one graphic novel my whole life but this literally made me a convert!!!
daisytille's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Made me cry!