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4.52 AVERAGE
4.52 AVERAGE
Really fascinating presentation of Singapore's post-war political and cultural history through the story of the life of a fictional comics artist, Charlie Chan Hock Chye. This comic weaves together "interviews" with Charlie, scenes from his life, and stories from imagined comics that he drew. So skilfully is the tale told that I had no idea he wasn't real until the end. If you like comics by Gene Yang, this is very much in his style. Not only is it entertaining, it's very educational, and interesting social commentary. Very much recommended.
Decidedly in the "couldn't put it down" vein because, well, I didn't put it down until I finished it. This pointed piece of alternate universe biography stands out, first, for the breadth of its art style. In trying to create a fictional biography, Liew has to show his subject's artistic development from youth to old age. The result is undeniably impressive, a fully realized world that feels realer than reality.
Of course Liew concludes the book with Charlie writing his own alternate history of Singapore in which the Socialist party took power after independence instead of the PAP. It's here that he shows his nuance. Liew does not pretend that things would have been ideal. His critique of the PAP is the same one he levels at their historic opponents: that they couldn't abide critique. He resents, above all, paternalism, while still giving the government credit for successes where they come.
The book grew to prominence because the Singaporean government pulled its support for the publication, evidence of exactly the discomfort with dialogue and critique that Liew write about. But despite some cynicism in his work on that subject, it was popular indignation over the government's heavy-handedness that built the book's notoriety. And it was that popular backlash that led to global distribution of his message, the only way his work ever would have ended up at the public library in Des Moines, Iowa where I found it.
For anyone interested in the power of graphic novels to fuel political discourse, this is an excellent place to start.
Of course Liew concludes the book with Charlie writing his own alternate history of Singapore in which the Socialist party took power after independence instead of the PAP. It's here that he shows his nuance. Liew does not pretend that things would have been ideal. His critique of the PAP is the same one he levels at their historic opponents: that they couldn't abide critique. He resents, above all, paternalism, while still giving the government credit for successes where they come.
The book grew to prominence because the Singaporean government pulled its support for the publication, evidence of exactly the discomfort with dialogue and critique that Liew write about. But despite some cynicism in his work on that subject, it was popular indignation over the government's heavy-handedness that built the book's notoriety. And it was that popular backlash that led to global distribution of his message, the only way his work ever would have ended up at the public library in Des Moines, Iowa where I found it.
For anyone interested in the power of graphic novels to fuel political discourse, this is an excellent place to start.
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A fascinating way to learn Singapore's history and politics. Comic artist Sonny Liew interviews fellow comic artist Charlie Chan Hock Chye about his whole life and career making political cartoons. Liew illustrates the interview and shows Chye's comic pages as they enter the timeframe. Liew adds context annotations around the margins, and notes from Chye about his own work– which lets readers unfamiliar with Singapore's history follow the messages in the strips.
Beautiful art and complex history– Singapore is an interesting experiment even in dry history recounting. Illustrated here in graphic form (and with time-specific political commentary), it comes alive as a dynamic and controversial scene.
Beautiful art and complex history– Singapore is an interesting experiment even in dry history recounting. Illustrated here in graphic form (and with time-specific political commentary), it comes alive as a dynamic and controversial scene.
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Beautiful artwork, great characters and the story of Singapore in the 2oth century through the eyes of a fictional artist. Well done and worth the read.
challenging
funny
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Beautifully researched, drawn and executed this is a fictional biography about an uncompromising comic artist whose work spans from pre-independent Singapore to this day. The book explores the vicissitudes of creating comics for a small market lacking a proper platform or infra structure. But the main subject is the history and politics of Singapore which I knew nothing about.
Such a well written, illustrated, plotted and fabricated graphic novel. I’m in complete awe. This is quite a timeless piece and I can see myself suggesting this to anyone who’s into this genre. I’m so glad I didn’t google the characters before reading and while reading (controlled my strong urge to). That just made me appreciate this novel even more, after finding out the truth.
Really really good. A great perspective on the history of Singapore told through the art of graphic novels. If only all history could be presented in such a way.