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4.51 AVERAGE
4.51 AVERAGE
medium-paced
This book is AMAZING. Sonny Liew details the modern history of Singapore through the art and lens of a fictional comic artist named Charlie Chan Hock Chye (who I thought was real until 75% of the way through the book...). The book is packed with so much detail and information on every single page that you can't help but awe at the amount of research, time, and care Sonny Liew put in. Not only does the book cover both the major as well as day-to-day events/people of Singaporean history, the comics that showcase them are drawn correspondingly to the popular art styles of the time. The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye is a masterpiece and anyone who is interested in learning more about Singapore and Malaysia should read this book. It's just - I love it, it's phenomenal.
A gorgeous, multi-faceted and artistically accomplished exploration (and excoriation) of Singapore's political history, told through the life of fictional comic artist Charlie Chan Hock Chye and his artistic struggles. Sonny Liew shows such an expansive range of artistry through his panels, exhibiting so many different styles of drawing, lettering and writing. It's hard to believe this was all done by one artist.
His deep dive into Singapore's politics and history is winding and imaginative, taking the form of comics in comics, alternate realities, fantasy, superheroes. Featuring the likes of Lee Kuan Yew, Lim Chin Siong and the other political minds, Liew tackles journalistic censorship, Singapore's merger and elections, Hock Lee Bus Riots, the Chinese school riots, and many more. It's mind-bogglingly simulating, though it can be a little difficult to parse for those unfamiliar with the events. His fiery criticism belies a love for the country, a persistent hope for change and betterment. As Charlie himself says, "a constant battle between our hopes and harsh realities".
It is perhaps indeed as one reviewer says, probably the greatest work of art ever produced in Singapore. With meta-storylines, characters flipping the script and turning the mirrors upon each other and their creator. One marvels are the ingenuity coming from Sonny Liew's mind, and perhaps he is indeed Singapore's greatest comic artist.
His deep dive into Singapore's politics and history is winding and imaginative, taking the form of comics in comics, alternate realities, fantasy, superheroes. Featuring the likes of Lee Kuan Yew, Lim Chin Siong and the other political minds, Liew tackles journalistic censorship, Singapore's merger and elections, Hock Lee Bus Riots, the Chinese school riots, and many more. It's mind-bogglingly simulating, though it can be a little difficult to parse for those unfamiliar with the events. His fiery criticism belies a love for the country, a persistent hope for change and betterment. As Charlie himself says, "a constant battle between our hopes and harsh realities".
It is perhaps indeed as one reviewer says, probably the greatest work of art ever produced in Singapore. With meta-storylines, characters flipping the script and turning the mirrors upon each other and their creator. One marvels are the ingenuity coming from Sonny Liew's mind, and perhaps he is indeed Singapore's greatest comic artist.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
The art is wonderful and the politics interesting. What more do you need?
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
I’ve never read a book like this before and holy shit let me tell you: its like an all-in-one biography, memoir, non-fiction, political graphic novel. The story is told from a very specific perspective of Charlie Chan, which I can appreciate so much. This book was cray interesting to read.
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
informative
medium-paced