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mehsi's review
5.0
I received this book from Europe Comics in exchange of an honest review.
I have had this ebook in my possession for a few months, just never in the mood, but now I am! I was curious to see how John’s tale would continue, what choices he would make, who he would meet, and see more real photographs of the place.
I love how the book continues the numbering from the first book, a tad confusing at first, but then I just adored it.
We read about various families from a new one to Betty’s. We read about the past (even a tiny bit about John), about why these people came to this place (once upon a time it was a green land), about why they aren’t leaving, about why they are leaving. And then the last part… with Betty’s family. My heart was already ripped out, I already felt raw, and then that punch came and seriously, I am still crying. Crying at all the unfairness, the pain, the hurt, how sand is everywhere and how it takes over everything. I was also angry. Angry that no one seemed to help. I mean, the photography program seemed to do more harm than help. Given how people reacted. Given that it seemed nothing was happening.
The ending, again, still crying. But I also need to mention I am proud of John there. He made a choice, he listened.
I loved that we got some extra information at the end of the book. About the FSA, about the program, about many other things. Always love it when books added additional information.
The art is magnificent once again, Aimée de Jongh <3 <3. I just love how detailed everything is, how she captures all the little things. I love the character designs and how you can just feel that sand creeping up on you. The dust floating around.
All in all, highly recommended, just like the first book! Go and read it! Bring tissues.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I have had this ebook in my possession for a few months, just never in the mood, but now I am! I was curious to see how John’s tale would continue, what choices he would make, who he would meet, and see more real photographs of the place.
I love how the book continues the numbering from the first book, a tad confusing at first, but then I just adored it.
We read about various families from a new one to Betty’s. We read about the past (even a tiny bit about John), about why these people came to this place (once upon a time it was a green land), about why they aren’t leaving, about why they are leaving. And then the last part… with Betty’s family. My heart was already ripped out, I already felt raw, and then that punch came and seriously, I am still crying. Crying at all the unfairness, the pain, the hurt, how sand is everywhere and how it takes over everything. I was also angry. Angry that no one seemed to help. I mean, the photography program seemed to do more harm than help. Given how people reacted. Given that it seemed nothing was happening.
The ending, again, still crying. But I also need to mention I am proud of John there. He made a choice, he listened.
I loved that we got some extra information at the end of the book. About the FSA, about the program, about many other things. Always love it when books added additional information.
The art is magnificent once again, Aimée de Jongh <3 <3. I just love how detailed everything is, how she captures all the little things. I love the character designs and how you can just feel that sand creeping up on you. The dust floating around.
All in all, highly recommended, just like the first book! Go and read it! Bring tissues.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
coinchantal's review
5.0
Second book has also brilliant illustrations and artwork next to an emotional ending. Great historical reading. Loved it.
dlsmall's review against another edition
5.0
As I continue into the back half of this tale, I love how Aimee deftly sprinkles in true facts of life from the Dust Bowl era…the coughs and the war surplus gas masks…the dust getting into the tightest of rooms…the resulting plates placed upside down on the table…the jackrabbits…the Russian Thistles…the car overloaded before the voyage to California. I also appreciate both the inclusion of period photographs, and the homages to classic works from the era by Lange and Evans and others. And Aimee draws a fantastic Scissor-tailed Flycatcher!
I know the physical copy wasn’t divided into two parts as this digital version is, but in this case, it has heightened things for me. In part one, Clark was pretty much a checklist-completing robot until maybe the last 20 pages. He rarely slowed down to understand anything or care. His late beginnings of an awakening continue here with learning of one of the all too common deaths of a child from dust pneumonia, or in this case siblings.
Though we met the character of Betty at the tail-end of part one, I really enjoyed her in this volume. Her fully-formed character brings another tale of loss, but also gives us her girlhood experiences of the arrival of the storms. I love the ways John’s maturing experience meets her life-experience…but I disagree with his take in his work after her…having seen the import of the work of his peers.
I know the physical copy wasn’t divided into two parts as this digital version is, but in this case, it has heightened things for me. In part one, Clark was pretty much a checklist-completing robot until maybe the last 20 pages. He rarely slowed down to understand anything or care. His late beginnings of an awakening continue here with learning of one of the all too common deaths of a child from dust pneumonia, or in this case siblings.
Though we met the character of Betty at the tail-end of part one, I really enjoyed her in this volume. Her fully-formed character brings another tale of loss, but also gives us her girlhood experiences of the arrival of the storms. I love the ways John’s maturing experience meets her life-experience…but I disagree with his take in his work after her…having seen the import of the work of his peers.
sandsing7's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
a_pilgrim's review against another edition
5.0
[©Aimée de Jongh.]
A personal thought - a good graphic novel is one that contains not just impactful illustrations and gorgeous artwork, but also must have a soulful and engaging storyline.
Days of Sand: Part 2 starts where Part 1 left off. The illustrations continue to be brilliant, detailed and breathtaking, along with a captivating storyline and interesting characters.
Set in the Dust Bowl region of the central and southern areas of the 1937 United States, Aimée de Jongh`s Days of Sand is the story of a photographer John Clark, who is sent to take photographs and document the severe living conditions.
The struggles faced by John and also the plight of the people are captured very well in each frame of this graphic novel.
[©Aimée de Jongh.]
[©Aimée de Jongh.]
Despite the difficulties, the positive emotions and cheerful attitude maintained by the people is so well presented.
[©Aimée de Jongh.]
"Because one thing is certain.
If a photographer comes too close to his subject...
...he will lose focus."
As he continues taking photographs, John realises the depth and extent of the difficult circumstances being faced by the local people. He also starts questioning his role in all this, particularly as a photographer for a magazine.
[©Aimée de Jongh.]
Days of Sand is a must-read!
elvang's review against another edition
5.0
We've all studied the cause and effect of this man made/natural disaster in the 1930's but seeing it through photographs and art work in this graphic novel makes vivid and memorable.
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