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emily_mh's review against another edition
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 pain
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