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tammys_readinglog's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
carolpk's review against another edition
Exemplary
Let this graphic novel speak for itself. An American couple takes a sabbatical and a Monarch Butterfly takes wing on its round trip journey from Canada to Mexico. The title Ruins is metaphoric in many ways. Each reader will come to his or her own conclusions. At times lyrical, at others, harsh, the landscape and politics of Oaxaca come alive in the various mediums used. Based on the author’s experiences of living in Oaxaca during the 2006 Teacher’s Strike. Beautiful!
Let this graphic novel speak for itself. An American couple takes a sabbatical and a Monarch Butterfly takes wing on its round trip journey from Canada to Mexico. The title Ruins is metaphoric in many ways. Each reader will come to his or her own conclusions. At times lyrical, at others, harsh, the landscape and politics of Oaxaca come alive in the various mediums used. Based on the author’s experiences of living in Oaxaca during the 2006 Teacher’s Strike. Beautiful!
audaciaray's review against another edition
3.0
I picked up this book because [a:Nnedi Okorafor|588356|Nnedi Okorafor|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1383620254p2/588356.jpg] rated it highly, and she's so right about the art (it's stunning), and the interweaving of the monarch's journey with a couple's journey is fascinating.
BUT.
I don't read a lot of books by white men or with white men as the narrators and this book reminded me why. I was really interested in the Samantha character and her story, but this dude George just kept getting in the way. I want to read *her* story, not his. His bumbling and terrible communication and outbursts at her... just a big ole nope.
BUT.
I don't read a lot of books by white men or with white men as the narrators and this book reminded me why. I was really interested in the Samantha character and her story, but this dude George just kept getting in the way. I want to read *her* story, not his. His bumbling and terrible communication and outbursts at her... just a big ole nope.
pattydsf's review against another edition
4.0
I shelved this graphic novel in my TBR almost four years ago. I am not sure what brought it to my attention, but maybe some folks here on Goodreads who read it about that time. I was actually surprised that my public library still had it since graphic novels are not that popular with their readers.
This is a beautiful book. The story about one butterfly traveling to Oaxaca was stunning – Kuper is an excellent artist. I had no trouble following that part of the book. The second story, which is about a couple who travel from Canada to Oaxaca for a sabbatical, was harder for me to follow. To be honest, I thought that part of the tale was based on a true story. Kuper has been to Oaxaca, but his life is not what he depicts in the book. In the end, I was able to fall into George and Samantha’s tale and when the two stories finally intertwine, I was blown away.
I am not a big graphic novel fan. I read them now and again and I am usually amazed by how the art and text work together. I think more in words than pictures and the skills that it takes to blend the two are impressive. If you read graphic novels this is one that you should pick up. You will likely find it worth your time.
This is a beautiful book. The story about one butterfly traveling to Oaxaca was stunning – Kuper is an excellent artist. I had no trouble following that part of the book. The second story, which is about a couple who travel from Canada to Oaxaca for a sabbatical, was harder for me to follow. To be honest, I thought that part of the tale was based on a true story. Kuper has been to Oaxaca, but his life is not what he depicts in the book. In the end, I was able to fall into George and Samantha’s tale and when the two stories finally intertwine, I was blown away.
I am not a big graphic novel fan. I read them now and again and I am usually amazed by how the art and text work together. I think more in words than pictures and the skills that it takes to blend the two are impressive. If you read graphic novels this is one that you should pick up. You will likely find it worth your time.
saidtheraina's review against another edition
4.0
Oh man, this is a gorgeously produced work. The binding (there's a damn ribbon!), red edges, stunning end papers (bugs!), full color. Classy classy SelfMadeHero.
I've read Kuper's more strictly autobiographical stuff ([b: ComicsTrips: A Journal of Travels Through Africa and Southeast Asia|1672070|ComicsTrips A Journal of Travels Through Africa and Southeast Asia|Peter Kuper|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347436048s/1672070.jpg|2405890], [b: Diario de Oaxaca: A Sketchbook Journal of Two Years in Mexico|6860662|Diario de Oaxaca A Sketchbook Journal of Two Years in Mexico|Peter Kuper|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328742393s/6860662.jpg|7075215]), and loved it.
Here, he jumps off from that content, to create a more fully rounded (and fictional) story.
A heterosexual amerikan couple follows the woman's job to Oaxaca, just as revolutionary events are happening there. There's also a butterfly.
It's beautiful work. Flows very readably. Gorgeous layouts, and nice, intentional, use of color.
Including it in my GNTravelogue file, because that's very much what this is, just with different characters than Kuper himself.
I loved watching them discover their own limits. Yeah, you think you'll be willing to drive, but when it actually comes down to it, you may not feel safe doing so, and should your partner accept that when you said something else?
It's good. I wish he'd more explicitly examined privilege. He does tackle a lot already, though.
I've read Kuper's more strictly autobiographical stuff ([b: ComicsTrips: A Journal of Travels Through Africa and Southeast Asia|1672070|ComicsTrips A Journal of Travels Through Africa and Southeast Asia|Peter Kuper|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347436048s/1672070.jpg|2405890], [b: Diario de Oaxaca: A Sketchbook Journal of Two Years in Mexico|6860662|Diario de Oaxaca A Sketchbook Journal of Two Years in Mexico|Peter Kuper|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328742393s/6860662.jpg|7075215]), and loved it.
Here, he jumps off from that content, to create a more fully rounded (and fictional) story.
A heterosexual amerikan couple follows the woman's job to Oaxaca, just as revolutionary events are happening there. There's also a butterfly.
It's beautiful work. Flows very readably. Gorgeous layouts, and nice, intentional, use of color.
Including it in my GNTravelogue file, because that's very much what this is, just with different characters than Kuper himself.
I loved watching them discover their own limits. Yeah, you think you'll be willing to drive, but when it actually comes down to it, you may not feel safe doing so, and should your partner accept that when you said something else?
It's good. I wish he'd more explicitly examined privilege. He does tackle a lot already, though.
nica00's review against another edition
3.0
Art⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Story⭐️⭐️ Another example of why own voices authors are best
molly_dettmann's review
3.0
This one was interesting for sure. Some of the artwork was gorgeous and detailed and I loved the butterfly’s migration and how it paralleled with the main couple’s journey in Mexico. It was still kind of an out there story and some of the artwork of people was harder on the eyes for sure.
alexutzu's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
djbagwell's review against another edition
emotional
informative
slow-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
3.0