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talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Death
Moderate: Terminal illness, Cancer, Death of parent, Blood, Car accident, Grief, Dementia, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War
Nonsexual nudity. Spiders.mephistofelix's review
adventurous
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Dementia, Cancer, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Body horror, Child death, Blood, and War
hflh's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Overall
I loved every part of this book right down to the author's note. It's funny, tender, and wonderfully queer. This book delivers on what the blurb promises and then some and I would definitely recommend to anyone who is looking for queer representation, likes more surrealist magical realism and maybe a bit of the supernatural, and loves a good lovable but flawed older woman main character. The narrative is tight (though fast-paced if that doesn't suit you) and the characters are well-defined in a short time.
The Art
The art is great, especially if you like a simple, flow-y style. I really enjoyed Ann Xu's paneling and the use of the colour black in and between panels. If you are like me, you will also appreciate the unapologetic and non-sexualized portrayal of women's bodies, particularly older ones.
An added bonus: Comments on aging and caring for aging relatives
My enjoyment and rating stand without this element, so I'd still recommend the book if this part doesn't speak to you.
Among the magical realism elements and the interactions between Kumiko and her daughter, Goto explores some of the mental and physical challenges with aging, including the desire to keep your independence in a body that is not always on your side. Goto also explores the frustrations for caretakers when trying to care for stubborn loved ones who can struggle to care for themselves, including the challenge of finding the balance between caretaking and leaving space for their autonomy. This really resonated with me as someone helping care for a grandmother with dementia who falls frequently but can't admit it or accept help. It was also a good reminder that this struggle is hard for both of us.
But what I really appreciated was that Goto explores these topics within the space of magical realism, allowing for things to still feel light and have an unambiguous happy ending. Kumiko still has physical autonomy and when she's forgetful or seeing supernatural things, it's not because she's losing her mental faculties. For me at least, this made these parts of the narrative cathartic without making me feel heavy or depressed.
-------------------------
Also the book is set in Vancouver, BC if that's something that interests you - but non-Vancouverites won't be missing anything without that background :)
I loved every part of this book right down to the author's note. It's funny, tender, and wonderfully queer. This book delivers on what the blurb promises and then some and I would definitely recommend to anyone who is looking for queer representation, likes more surrealist magical realism and maybe a bit of the supernatural, and loves a good lovable but flawed older woman main character. The narrative is tight (though fast-paced if that doesn't suit you) and the characters are well-defined in a short time.
The Art
The art is great, especially if you like a simple, flow-y style. I really enjoyed Ann Xu's paneling and the use of the colour black in and between panels. If you are like me, you will also appreciate the unapologetic and non-sexualized portrayal of women's bodies, particularly older ones.
An added bonus: Comments on aging and caring for aging relatives
My enjoyment and rating stand without this element, so I'd still recommend the book if this part doesn't speak to you.
Among the magical realism elements and the interactions between Kumiko and her daughter, Goto explores some of the mental and physical challenges with aging, including the desire to keep your independence in a body that is not always on your side. Goto also explores the frustrations for caretakers when trying to care for stubborn loved ones who can struggle to care for themselves, including the challenge of finding the balance between caretaking and leaving space for their autonomy. This really resonated with me as someone helping care for a grandmother with dementia who falls frequently but can't admit it or accept help. It was also a good reminder that this struggle is hard for both of us.
But what I really appreciated was that Goto explores these topics within the space of magical realism, allowing for things to still feel light and have an unambiguous happy ending. Kumiko still has physical autonomy and when she's forgetful or seeing supernatural things, it's not because she's losing her mental faculties. For me at least, this made these parts of the narrative cathartic without making me feel heavy or depressed.
-------------------------
Also the book is set in Vancouver, BC if that's something that interests you - but non-Vancouverites won't be missing anything without that background :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Dementia, Death, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Car accident, Medical content, Terminal illness, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
paigieodo's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Goto’s stories feel like they belong in a visual medium. Her imagination is deeply sensory, and though her writing is strong, I was excited to read a graphic novel whose story was dictated by Goto, but brought to life by illustration. Xu’s art gives majesty to this story. I was so delighted by this loving tale about an older woman facing death. The characters are so alive. The plot is gorgeously constructed. I am a big fan.
*Story Graph doesn’t let me add any water/drowning related content warnings, but it’s there. It’s on the stronger side of moderate.
*Story Graph doesn’t let me add any water/drowning related content warnings, but it’s there. It’s on the stronger side of moderate.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Medical content
Minor: Blood, Chronic illness, and Excrement
emily_mh's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
The plot of this graphic novel starts off gentle, setting up a solid foundation for the rest of the narrative to take place. Then suddenly the action begins and the stakes are so high that you are captivated and racing to finish, even when there are slower moments. This book is also heavily character motivated, with the focus on MC Kumiko.
Having an elderly MC being written with such respect by the author was amazing. Kumiko was so dynamic: steadfast and funny, full of love and grief. I loved her resolve and sheer determination. I loved that this book showed her joys and disasters. I’ve never had the pleasure of reading an elderly character written this way before; it’s how it should always be done.
The community that built up around Kumiko was so wonderful, full of community love, neighbourly love, family love, and queer love too.
Even though this book is about death, it doesn’t read as heavy. It actually has a really hopeful outlook on death; the reason Kumiko is fighting it is not because she is scared but because she doesn’t feel like it’s her time to go. Yet neither does the narrative brush over the crushing emotional impact of death on those still living. It strikes a careful balance between the two that as a reader I found validating, yet palatable.
I think the black-and-white colour palette was actually such a good choice for the book, matching its morbid and at times somber tone. And of course, I love Anne Xu’s art style, particularly her use of thin line weight.
As a final note, my favourite quote from the book was: “More of us feel closer to death than we have ever felt, but it is possible to live vibrantly, even near Death’s shadow.”
Having an elderly MC being written with such respect by the author was amazing. Kumiko was so dynamic: steadfast and funny, full of love and grief. I loved her resolve and sheer determination. I loved that this book showed her joys and disasters. I’ve never had the pleasure of reading an elderly character written this way before; it’s how it should always be done.
The community that built up around Kumiko was so wonderful, full of community love, neighbourly love, family love, and queer love too.
Even though this book is about death, it doesn’t read as heavy. It actually has a really hopeful outlook on death; the reason Kumiko is fighting it is not because she is scared but because she doesn’t feel like it’s her time to go. Yet neither does the narrative brush over the crushing emotional impact of death on those still living. It strikes a careful balance between the two that as a reader I found validating, yet palatable.
I think the black-and-white colour palette was actually such a good choice for the book, matching its morbid and at times somber tone. And of course, I love Anne Xu’s art style, particularly her use of thin line weight.
As a final note, my favourite quote from the book was: “More of us feel closer to death than we have ever felt, but it is possible to live vibrantly, even near Death’s shadow.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Car accident, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gore, Addiction, Alcohol, Animal death, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Terminal illness, Drug use, Excrement, Cursing, Vomit, and War
Moderate: drowning, loss of a loved one Minor: reference to the Canadian Japanese imprisonment camps, chronic painchaoticnostalgia's review
emotional
tense
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? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Forced institutionalization, and Ableism
Minor: Blood, Genocide, and Addiction
ysra's review
dark
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Car accident, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
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