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aaron_griffin's review against another edition
4.0
A really beautifully presented story about aging, immortality, and what makes life living.
This isn't the graphic novel you're used to, switching from pages containing paragraphs of prose and a single illustration, to pages with sparse, decorated prose, to actual comic style panels. I found it very unique and an immersive read.
The only reason I'm giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is that I found the ending fairly abrupt and I'm not sure I've processed the meaning yet. But maybe that's the point? Maybe the book ends the way life often does - suddenly and often without explanation...
This isn't the graphic novel you're used to, switching from pages containing paragraphs of prose and a single illustration, to pages with sparse, decorated prose, to actual comic style panels. I found it very unique and an immersive read.
The only reason I'm giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is that I found the ending fairly abrupt and I'm not sure I've processed the meaning yet. But maybe that's the point? Maybe the book ends the way life often does - suddenly and often without explanation...
alexauthorshay's review against another edition
3.0
I read this because of the concept as well as Jeff Lemire's art. A cure for death combined with the potential end of the world is right up my alley. Only it takes 3/4 of the book to actually explain what happened and even then it's kind of vague.
Be warned that this isn't just a comic. There are long text pages mixed in. It creates the effect of Jonah's journal but I wasn't expecting it and it makes for a very long read. It's also a bit confusing, flipping back and forth between the two. The actual comic book parts are actually rather few and far between; I'd almost not call this a graphic novel.
The ideas in this book in general were neat. I really liked his memories of being a kick and how he described the black water under the ice and the fear and all that. But beyond that I found myself struggling to follow. What exactly did he accomplish? Why was he scared all the time? Why did he abandon the cure and want to head down from the retreat? Why was Claire so important to him? I have so many questions and I feel like the answers are in the pages but the content is just too convoluted for me to sift it out. Nothing really happens until the very end, and even then it's a rather ambiguous ending that kind of made me growl. Did he go or not? I spent all that time reading this gigantic book--and for what?
Be warned that this isn't just a comic. There are long text pages mixed in. It creates the effect of Jonah's journal but I wasn't expecting it and it makes for a very long read. It's also a bit confusing, flipping back and forth between the two. The actual comic book parts are actually rather few and far between; I'd almost not call this a graphic novel.
The ideas in this book in general were neat. I really liked his memories of being a kick and how he described the black water under the ice and the fear and all that. But beyond that I found myself struggling to follow. What exactly did he accomplish? Why was he scared all the time? Why did he abandon the cure and want to head down from the retreat? Why was Claire so important to him? I have so many questions and I feel like the answers are in the pages but the content is just too convoluted for me to sift it out. Nothing really happens until the very end, and even then it's a rather ambiguous ending that kind of made me growl. Did he go or not? I spent all that time reading this gigantic book--and for what?
rhonig's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent work of Science-Fictional Graphica, prose and comics woven together in a unique story about aging and memory when life is infinite. It has Lemire's scratchy, sadness-imbued art and Snyder's penchant for dense backstories and puzzle-plots. It is a work that synthesizes both creators' talents into one tremendous story.
ricardom's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
nat_b's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hobbes199's review against another edition
5.0
A truly incredible mix of Snyder's deep, rich storytelling, and Lemire's enveloping art helps push this complex tale of regaining what you've lost to the top of the 'must buy' list.
Be prepared to think.
Be prepared to think.
billyjepma's review against another edition
4.0
This is a difficult story to write a "review" for. On one hand, "A.D." is a powerfully compelling experiment that mixes long prose sections with beautifully illustrated artwork. It's at once a graphic novel in the typical sense, but it's also a novel that uses graphic elements in a way that I don't think has ever been done before. At the very least, Snyder and Lemire should be applauded for attempting such a unique and striking marriage of forms.
The actual story they tell here is one that will impact different people in different ways. It's thoughtful and exciting science fiction, yes, but it is also a philosophical exploration of the anxieties of living, and the lengths to which people will go to remedy those anxieties. Snyder's prose is fantastic, as can be expected, and his emotive language and narration work very well, especially when paired with Lemire's vibrant, otherworldly, watercolor artwork. Lemire's restraint and simultaneous ambition with the artwork is arguably "A.D.'s" secret weapon, as even when Snyder's writing borders on the overly abstract, and loses a bit of its narrative direction, Lemire's art continue to pull you into the story they are unraveling for you.
This is ultimately an experimental project, one conceptualized and brought to life by two of the best minds in the comic industry. Which means that it's messy, to be sure. The story doesn't entirely pull itself together in the end, and you're left with an ambiguity that, while appropriate, still leaves you feeling like the story is distressingly incomplete. However, the journey of getting to the end is nonetheless an often dazzling display of writing and art that I can't help but eagerly recommend. It's a story that lingers in your head like a cloud, drifting in and our of your vision.
This is not a book for everyone, and to be honest, I'm still unsure of how I actually feel about it. But there's no denying that this story affected me. I can't quite verbalize how it has affected me yet, but it has. This has story weaseled its way into my head and chest, and even now that I have finished reading, still it refuses to depart. It has its roots in me now, and all I want to do is sit down and read it all again.
The actual story they tell here is one that will impact different people in different ways. It's thoughtful and exciting science fiction, yes, but it is also a philosophical exploration of the anxieties of living, and the lengths to which people will go to remedy those anxieties. Snyder's prose is fantastic, as can be expected, and his emotive language and narration work very well, especially when paired with Lemire's vibrant, otherworldly, watercolor artwork. Lemire's restraint and simultaneous ambition with the artwork is arguably "A.D.'s" secret weapon, as even when Snyder's writing borders on the overly abstract, and loses a bit of its narrative direction, Lemire's art continue to pull you into the story they are unraveling for you.
This is ultimately an experimental project, one conceptualized and brought to life by two of the best minds in the comic industry. Which means that it's messy, to be sure. The story doesn't entirely pull itself together in the end, and you're left with an ambiguity that, while appropriate, still leaves you feeling like the story is distressingly incomplete. However, the journey of getting to the end is nonetheless an often dazzling display of writing and art that I can't help but eagerly recommend. It's a story that lingers in your head like a cloud, drifting in and our of your vision.
This is not a book for everyone, and to be honest, I'm still unsure of how I actually feel about it. But there's no denying that this story affected me. I can't quite verbalize how it has affected me yet, but it has. This has story weaseled its way into my head and chest, and even now that I have finished reading, still it refuses to depart. It has its roots in me now, and all I want to do is sit down and read it all again.
etienne02's review against another edition
2.0
2,5/5. Great illustrations from Lemire, but unfortunately he just did the art, the story is from Snyder and, don't mean any disrespect he has done some good work, but I would have prefer to be all Lemire. I think it could have been more focus on the story and present it in a more concise and deeper way. Overall story felt a bit over stretch to me. No much in this one for me!
heypretty52's review
4.0
I have no idea what's going on, but I love the complexity of this storyline and the art.
honguan's review
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5