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lalalecter's review against another edition
5.0
Favorites were Mr. Zebra, Teenage Hustling, Mariannne, Siren, Little Earthquakes, Past the Mission
Least favorites were Crazy, God, Pretty Good Year
Least favorites were Crazy, God, Pretty Good Year
krystlocity's review against another edition
4.0
I bought this years ago-well, when it was new but never got around to reading it because it was so freakin' bulky. I finally dropped it on the passenger side of my bed and made it my "read before bed" book. I finished it many days ago, but didn't mark it as that 'cause I had to read all the artist/writers/colorists etc. bio's. Which ultimately just made me feel like a worthless idiot for not doing more to advance my dreams of becoming a comic book artist. Moving on...
This was a wonderful little collection of different art and story telling modes. While I wouldn't complain about any of the actual art, I would complain about some stories. I hated the literal dipictions of Tori's Songs (Bouncing off Clouds being the worst since I adore the song and see a lot of potential for good, deep storytelling within it-and what's it about? A mail delivery girl who bounces on freakin' clouds). Some were a little too hard to follow for me, but that doesn't quite mean they weren't interesting or that someone out there didn't relate to them perfectly, so they can hold some merit. My least favorite was Honey-it was hard to understand in all facets-the text was a hard font to read and there wasn't enough interest in the words written for me to wrestle though it-I didn't even read the whole thing, just skimmed it. So, my least favorites in general were the ones that were too vague and the ones that were too literal. If I could follow the story decently, I usually enjoyed them overall. Also, it seemed to me some of the people didn't properly understand the comic book form and I didn't like that-cause I love the traditional comic form-some of them were just picture books-and I realize that comics are just a form of pictures being needed/adding significantly to the story, but...there is a difference between comics and picture books, isn't there? I suppose some would say I'm being too close minded about it, which isn't very much like me. I guess people get more close minded the closer it infringes on their own personal passions. OK, again, moving on...
My favorites (*=top faves): *Girl, Toast, Little Amsterdam, Here. In my head, Suede, Baker Baker, The Beekeeper, Iieee, Leather was interesting, so was Precious Things, *God, Scarlet's Walk, *Cornflake Girl, and *Devils and Gods. But...
My most ultimate favorite: Siren!
...And I think that ends my review.
This was a wonderful little collection of different art and story telling modes. While I wouldn't complain about any of the actual art, I would complain about some stories. I hated the literal dipictions of Tori's Songs (Bouncing off Clouds being the worst since I adore the song and see a lot of potential for good, deep storytelling within it-and what's it about? A mail delivery girl who bounces on freakin' clouds). Some were a little too hard to follow for me, but that doesn't quite mean they weren't interesting or that someone out there didn't relate to them perfectly, so they can hold some merit. My least favorite was Honey-it was hard to understand in all facets-the text was a hard font to read and there wasn't enough interest in the words written for me to wrestle though it-I didn't even read the whole thing, just skimmed it. So, my least favorites in general were the ones that were too vague and the ones that were too literal. If I could follow the story decently, I usually enjoyed them overall. Also, it seemed to me some of the people didn't properly understand the comic book form and I didn't like that-cause I love the traditional comic form-some of them were just picture books-and I realize that comics are just a form of pictures being needed/adding significantly to the story, but...there is a difference between comics and picture books, isn't there? I suppose some would say I'm being too close minded about it, which isn't very much like me. I guess people get more close minded the closer it infringes on their own personal passions. OK, again, moving on...
My favorites (*=top faves): *Girl, Toast, Little Amsterdam, Here. In my head, Suede, Baker Baker, The Beekeeper, Iieee, Leather was interesting, so was Precious Things, *God, Scarlet's Walk, *Cornflake Girl, and *Devils and Gods. But...
My most ultimate favorite: Siren!
...And I think that ends my review.
apechild's review against another edition
4.0
A collection of short stories based on the songs of Tori Amos - maybe 50 or so - by lots of different artists and writers. It's amazing the different images and interpretations people come up with from the songs. Like any collection, some are better than others, but overall this is such a cool alternative to listening to the music. It's got me back in the mood for listening through all of her albums again. The art work is just stunning, and the fact that so many people have contributed to this means that there is a fantastic selection of styles and stories. Really great fun.
rebecca_oneil's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, brace yourselves, I'm going to say something blasphemous. I don't quite "get" Tori Amos. What I've heard of her music, I've liked, but rarely understood the lyrics. I kind of like that; tidbits here and there let me piece together my own story. I've also never enjoyed seeing song lyrics in print; for the most part, I find that a song's poetry dies when the music is removed. Both of these could be reasons why this book -- narrative art inspired by the music and lyrics of Tori Amos -- didn't grab me.
Though I didn't read the whole thing, I enjoyed the lush format: full color, hefty smooth paper, and gorgeous art from a varied selection of artists, including lots of women. This book could be a great primer for the diversity that is currently thriving in the world of graphic novels: the styles range from classic, to kid-cartoony, to anime, to some stuff I've never seen before.
Hopefully someday, the Tori Amos world, much praised by Neil Gaiman and some of my best friends, will be open to me as well. Maybe I can find where it connects to the Tom Waits world. I think there must definitely be tendrils that cross over.
Though I didn't read the whole thing, I enjoyed the lush format: full color, hefty smooth paper, and gorgeous art from a varied selection of artists, including lots of women. This book could be a great primer for the diversity that is currently thriving in the world of graphic novels: the styles range from classic, to kid-cartoony, to anime, to some stuff I've never seen before.
Hopefully someday, the Tori Amos world, much praised by Neil Gaiman and some of my best friends, will be open to me as well. Maybe I can find where it connects to the Tom Waits world. I think there must definitely be tendrils that cross over.
esotericfaery's review
5.0
The book is what it says it is. The stories range from disturbing all the way to cute, just like Tori's songs.
danileighta's review against another edition
Crazy cool illustrations! If you love Tori Amos (or even if you don't really know her music), this book was a fun sampling of so many different illustration styles and writing. Great collection.
whisperingdelirium's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
grghdsn's review against another edition
4.0
This anthology is made up of more than 80 artists' interpretations of 51 of Amos' songs from each of her albums (barring Strange Little Girls). Rather than be literal interpretations of the lyrics, many of the stories here are at the very least simply inspired by. While some have seemingly no connection to the source, there are plenty here that will rekindle interest in some songs and even let you see some of the songs in a different light.
What's more is that these stories stand alone so that you don't have to be familiar with the original song to enjoy them.
The styles vary drastically from story to story, ranging from what seems to be crayon drawings (Pandora's Aquarium) to manga/anime (Siren) to lush, organic watercolor or oils (Toast, Honey). Amos has said she let the artists have free reign over their songs and styles, and it really shows as you make through the collection. The talent here is incredible.
Fans of Tori Amos will undoubtedly find some of their favorite songs here, and enough songs are left out to make you wonder if there will be another volume in the future.
Personal picks: Siren, Here. In My Head, Little Amsterdam, The Beekeeper, Scarlet's Walk
I'm not usually a big comic/graphic novel fan, but I might check out more from a few of these artists.
What's more is that these stories stand alone so that you don't have to be familiar with the original song to enjoy them.
The styles vary drastically from story to story, ranging from what seems to be crayon drawings (Pandora's Aquarium) to manga/anime (Siren) to lush, organic watercolor or oils (Toast, Honey). Amos has said she let the artists have free reign over their songs and styles, and it really shows as you make through the collection. The talent here is incredible.
Fans of Tori Amos will undoubtedly find some of their favorite songs here, and enough songs are left out to make you wonder if there will be another volume in the future.
Personal picks: Siren, Here. In My Head, Little Amsterdam, The Beekeeper, Scarlet's Walk
I'm not usually a big comic/graphic novel fan, but I might check out more from a few of these artists.
agentalpo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
nrphoto's review against another edition
3.0
I am not a big graphic novel reader. About the closest I ever came to reading comics as a kid was religiously watching X-Men and Spiderman and Friends on Saturday morning television. I briefly embraced the X-Men comic book at prodding from my friend Bart and his brother, but there were just too many stories. Too much history. Too many collectors editions and cards, and it was all just too much commitment for me at that young, fresh age. As an adult I have read exactly one graphic novel, one of the famous ones, and found it to be exceptionally mundane.
So obviously then, I read this book because I'm obsessed to an unhealthy extent with the music of Tori Amos, and so I must consume it in every way it is made available to me.
The book itself is beautiful. It's huge, and hefty, and the page stock is substantial enough to really display the art in these pages. As for the stories, I think it was a really interesting idea. Some of them are really beautiful, and some of them were really funny. I lot of them were prosaic and trite. I would have loved to have seen some more interpretive depictions. Taking a single metaphor from the lyric at random and building a story around isn't terribly interesting.
some of them were quite lovely. I thought Marianne was especially beautiful. despite any reservations, it was a nice way to spend a couple of hours, and the artwork is absolutely gorgeous. I really enjoyed looking at diversity in the artistic styles.
So obviously then, I read this book because I'm obsessed to an unhealthy extent with the music of Tori Amos, and so I must consume it in every way it is made available to me.
The book itself is beautiful. It's huge, and hefty, and the page stock is substantial enough to really display the art in these pages. As for the stories, I think it was a really interesting idea. Some of them are really beautiful, and some of them were really funny. I lot of them were prosaic and trite. I would have loved to have seen some more interpretive depictions. Taking a single metaphor from the lyric at random and building a story around isn't terribly interesting.
some of them were quite lovely. I thought Marianne was especially beautiful. despite any reservations, it was a nice way to spend a couple of hours, and the artwork is absolutely gorgeous. I really enjoyed looking at diversity in the artistic styles.