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4.52 AVERAGE
4.52 AVERAGE
Remarkable graphic novel, a fictional (not that I realized that until I was almost finished) biography of a Singaporean comic artist, which Liew uses as a vehicle to recount Singapore's political history. I knew virtually nothing about Singapore, and was a bit overwhelmed with the level of detail, but it was so well done, full of what appear to be artifacts, juvenilia, and other excerpts from the artist's oeuvre, all laced together in an interesting way. Poignant and sophisticated, with stories within stories.
Didn't expect such poignant tales to be told within this graphic novel- familiar scenes, childhood references and the sheer Singaporeanness of it make it a story that's larger than life. Very enjoyable and distinct art that doesn't mince words.
Alternative history of Singapore, if "alternative" = "somehow still very Chinese and male".
That doesn't mean it's not good, but........
That doesn't mean it's not good, but........
Ingenious concept expertly executed. Liew uses a cartoonists’ life to explore the history of both Singapore and comics. The book has a documentary (mockumentary?) feel and showcases a wide variety of comics styles. The exploration of the artist continuing their art even after popular interest moves on provides a compelling heart throughout.
This book is NOT a biography. It is a work of fiction. Readers are advised to see https://comicsforum.org/2017/09/26/who-is-charlie-chan-hock-chye/
It is a commentary on history and its making, in relation to the history of Singapore.
Crook County PL.
It is a commentary on history and its making, in relation to the history of Singapore.
Crook County PL.
The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye is undoubtedly a masterpiece. It is an immensely rich comic book that retells the Singapore story in an utterly original and colourful way. The art is top-notch and captivating, making the book hard to put down. Brilliant and meticulously-illustrated, it is a piece of work to be savoured and admired for its beauty and ambitious storytelling.
5/5
5/5
Hands down my most enjoyable Singapore literature read ever! I'm glad I know pretty much every historical detail regarding Singapore in this book- I don't think I'd enjoy the book less if I was unfamiliar with the context (it did feel like an info dump at times), but I believe I enjoyed it more because I am SO familiar with it. So many complex themes and narrative devices at play here, I don't know how to start my school essay on this now but I'm excited!!!
WOW.
what a ride. This book is like a marriage between a comic artist's journey as well as historical stories of a nation. Both told and drawn with fervour and passion.
loved and appreciated every page... especially the notes which sonny made effort to compile.
it is a representation of another aspect of the Singapore story.. One that many may not know of..
I fought sleep to read it... and as my eyes watered due to the battle between sleep and reading on.. I'm glad I read through the tired tears..
beautiful beautiful beautiful..
what a ride. This book is like a marriage between a comic artist's journey as well as historical stories of a nation. Both told and drawn with fervour and passion.
loved and appreciated every page... especially the notes which sonny made effort to compile.
it is a representation of another aspect of the Singapore story.. One that many may not know of..
I fought sleep to read it... and as my eyes watered due to the battle between sleep and reading on.. I'm glad I read through the tired tears..
beautiful beautiful beautiful..
Cartoonist Sonny Liew created this multi-layered work, which is a biography of fictional Singapoean cartoonist Charlie Chan Hock Chye. As the story goes through Chan's different comics and styles during the 20th century, it also gets into Singapore's politics during the time, as Chan's comics are often commentary on the times. We see a sci-fi epic about British colonialism, funny animal comics about the formation of Malaysia and a giant robot helping student protesters. Among others.
On top of all that, the book is a story about a creative person toiling away in obscurity, putting in good work despite getting little to no recognition for doing so. Makings things simply because he loves making them.
Highly recommended for comics fans and history buffs.
didn't love it as much as I wanted to mainly bc I found the patchwork format messy and multiple streams of consciousness/storylines hard to follow. the content was good, though. love to see alternate voices retelling history, and it was a good intro to messy parts of Singapore history that get cleaned up/forgotten by the national narrative.