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michelinaoliverio's review against another edition
4.0
An American couple takes a sabbatical in Mexico to work on themselves individually and as a couple. Sam is trying to write a book about her past and her culture while George, a recently laid off entomologist, is rediscovering his love for nature as well as art. The story is broken up by the nonverbal story of a butterfly’s migration. I am a sucker for anything monarch’s so that is what reeled me into this book in the first place.
Although this is a fiction book, it’s theme of history was based on true events (the afterward from the author is worth a read!) Although Ruins is off to a slow start, things definitely pick up and go places before too long.
Although this is a fiction book, it’s theme of history was based on true events (the afterward from the author is worth a read!) Although Ruins is off to a slow start, things definitely pick up and go places before too long.
champhawke's review against another edition
2.0
The art was wonderful and almost all of the characters were great, but George was insufferable from the get go and I dreaded having to read every page he was on. Sam deserves better.
estellabelle92's review against another edition
4.0
Trying to up my regular reading of graphic novels continues. This fascinating parallel story of a monarch butterfly as it travels from Canada to Mexico with a couple on sabbatical in Oaxaca, where the wife is returning and writing while the husband, recently laid off, tries to find his path.
Beautiful illustrations.
Beautiful illustrations.
sonshinelibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
I'm torn on this one. The art is fascinating, particularly the monarch spreads. And I liked the way the different storylines weave together. But I also just didn't really connect to the story.
ivano456's review against another edition
4.0
Some of the contrasts between the US and Mexico seen through the eyes of an American ad his grat art.
bandherbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I did not know what this Graphic Novel was about, except that it was an exquisitely presented book. I noticed it as I was shelving holds at my library, and the gorgeous cover with the Mayan pyramid, the Monarch butterfly, and the vivid red coloring on the page edges was enough to have me place a copy on hold immediately. This would make a beautiful addition to anyone's shelf or coffee table.
As for the narrative, we follow both a monarch butterfly and a couple, all heading to or staying in Oaxaca, Mexico. I found George and Samantha a bit insufferable, but their beautifully illustrated story more than made up for it.
My favorite pages were definitely from the butterfly's chapters, as Kuper colored these in monochromatic blues with only the orange from the Monarch's wings as the one bright spot. His illustrations of ancient Mayan lore and mythology were also fascinating. Never an exact copy, but definitely evoked the era, somewhat similarly to Craig Thompson's illustrations in [b:Habibi|10138607|Habibi|Craig Thompson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327899014s/10138607.jpg|15036678]
Stunning.
As for the narrative, we follow both a monarch butterfly and a couple, all heading to or staying in Oaxaca, Mexico. I found George and Samantha a bit insufferable, but their beautifully illustrated story more than made up for it.
My favorite pages were definitely from the butterfly's chapters, as Kuper colored these in monochromatic blues with only the orange from the Monarch's wings as the one bright spot. His illustrations of ancient Mayan lore and mythology were also fascinating. Never an exact copy, but definitely evoked the era, somewhat similarly to Craig Thompson's illustrations in [b:Habibi|10138607|Habibi|Craig Thompson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327899014s/10138607.jpg|15036678]
Stunning.
glitterandtwang's review against another edition
4.0
Well, don't I feel like a dummy. I didn't realize Kuper had been the artist for Spy vs. Spy since 1997 -- which explains why some of his art felt familiar. This book is a lovely story of revolution and self-discovery. I can see why it's titled Ruins, but Renewal might have been more apt. A parallel story of monarch butterfly migration parallels that of the human protagonists, and that might be the best part of this book -- seeing the journey of one particular butterfly from America to Mexico and all of the various people and places it encounters. Worth a read.
teamstarburger's review against another edition
4.75
I walked past this book in the library several times. The cover didn't catch my attention or interest. Yesterday I picked it up and read it in one sitting. It was captivating, beautifully drawn, and well thought out.
I love the juxtaposition of all the elements that made the story work: nature, art, politics, relationships. It was sad at times, inspiring at others, and very meaningful to me overall.
Usually I am ok judging a book by its cover, especially graphic novels, but in this case I don't feel the cover artwork matches the contents - in a good way. It is so much more than the cover (which, frankly, makes it seem more historical than anything). I encourage everyone to read this.
I love the juxtaposition of all the elements that made the story work: nature, art, politics, relationships. It was sad at times, inspiring at others, and very meaningful to me overall.
Usually I am ok judging a book by its cover, especially graphic novels, but in this case I don't feel the cover artwork matches the contents - in a good way. It is so much more than the cover (which, frankly, makes it seem more historical than anything). I encourage everyone to read this.
astoldbyangela's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 loved being thrust into oaxaca but the flashbacks to ancient times diverted the story for me too much while the monarch migration was a beautiful format addition.
ursulamonarch's review against another edition
5.0
So good! I loved the interwoven stories of the monarch, the housekeeper, the entomologist, and the author, plus the local politics. I thought this was a good example of a book where the characters are not very likable but the story is great and interesting, and the whole project is a pleasure to look at - I especially enjoyed the incorporation of indigenous art and designs.