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magenta_menace's review against another edition
3.0
i really wanted to enjoy this book, but the character of caroline felt too narcissistic and irredeemable for me to truly find joy in this book. i gave three stars because the art style is really interesting and an aesthetic i don’t typically see in graphic novels, but the story itself fell flat for me. the supporting cast of characters feels more like a vehicle for caroline’s self-hatred than their own people, and caroline’s insecurity and rage borders on caricature of an art school student. in my experience in a creative writing program, i never experienced such hostility and judgment that the author creates in caroline’s cohort—rather, it was an environment of support and while jealousy can permeate, i never recall anyone being so malicious regarding others’ success. i feel like caroline didn’t deserve her accolades at the end of the book, nor was i rooting for her. there is a difference between an unlikeable protagonist and an irredeemable protagonist.
avacadochapstick's review against another edition
4.0
Gorg. I mean, maybe not, maybe disgusting and heartbreaking. It was so tough to read, not because the writing was poor, or the plot was bad, but because such big issues are at stake. It felt like a stab in the heart!
ladybrewsalot's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
thishannah's review against another edition
The world of Cannonball was messy but nostalgically familiar. The protagonist is exhausting and often infuriating, but so are lots of people in their early 20s. I thought the dialogue, characterization, and the distinctive illustration style were all excellent. The constant misspellings were super distracting though, and the book had one of my ultimate reading pet peeves: excerpts from a story-within-the-story that is supposedly brilliant and acclaimed, but is much less compelling than the larger story framing it. I liked the contrasting art style used for the dreams/excerpts, but the actual writing in those sections washed over me. It always felt like a relief to return to the "real" world of the comic.
apollo0325's review against another edition
Found Caroline to be a caricature of the starving millennial artist with Zero redeeming qualities and spiraling with everyone straight up ignoring her plight, even her best friend. Maybe that changes, but the exhausting format of this graphic novel made this too slow of a read with the panels not adding much to the general storytelling.
caitlyn888's review against another edition
3.0
Littered with spelling errors and featuring a really unlikeable protagonist who perpetuates the narcissistic-Millennial-post grad-struggling artist stereotype. But I liked the nuanced queer representation and the artwork.
hereisenough's review against another edition
4.0
Caroline is fresh out of college and refuses to ~sell out~ into getting a job, like her other artist friends. instead, she’s set on becoming a writer, but does she really want that?
Exasperating, like a folk tale warning those certain creative writing majors i knew who want to be ~tortured artists~ This book really nails the unlikeable protagonist, in an interesting way. I almost root her to fail and be forced to sell out, but it also asks me to be more self aware as an artist? Like, where do my fears lie? I also love the art in this and the way the art style shifts according to context. I really enjoy this, and want to give a certain someone a kick in the pants. Also, i love reading about writers.
Exasperating, like a folk tale warning those certain creative writing majors i knew who want to be ~tortured artists~ This book really nails the unlikeable protagonist, in an interesting way. I almost root her to fail and be forced to sell out, but it also asks me to be more self aware as an artist? Like, where do my fears lie? I also love the art in this and the way the art style shifts according to context. I really enjoy this, and want to give a certain someone a kick in the pants. Also, i love reading about writers.
biblioleah's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
tinusreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I always love it when social media, a website or a bookstore throws a recommendation in your face and just by looking at the cover of the book you know you will love it. Such was the case for me with Cannonball. I had never heard of it before.
In Cannonball we are introduced to Caroline Bertram: aspiring writer, queer, art school graduate, near alcoholic, and self proclaimed tortured genius. Every chapter chronicles her adventures as she learns more about what she wants in life and what she probably should no longer do anymore. It's funny, brutally honest and beautifully illustrated.
I think in some ways we can all identify with Caroline at some moment or chapter. If it's either moments of boredom leading to self destruction or just feeling fed up with having to pay the bills.
And though very funny on the service, Cannonball also dives into being more psychologically complex. As it, or actually Caroline, tries to find answers to the questions 'Am i actually enough?' and 'Is this what i am actually supposed to be doing?'.
A gorgeous read.
In Cannonball we are introduced to Caroline Bertram: aspiring writer, queer, art school graduate, near alcoholic, and self proclaimed tortured genius. Every chapter chronicles her adventures as she learns more about what she wants in life and what she probably should no longer do anymore. It's funny, brutally honest and beautifully illustrated.
I think in some ways we can all identify with Caroline at some moment or chapter. If it's either moments of boredom leading to self destruction or just feeling fed up with having to pay the bills.
And though very funny on the service, Cannonball also dives into being more psychologically complex. As it, or actually Caroline, tries to find answers to the questions 'Am i actually enough?' and 'Is this what i am actually supposed to be doing?'.
A gorgeous read.