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A review by aliwhaley
Are You Listening? by Tillie Walden
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was a gorgeous graphic novel. Zoe said it was the graphic novel she recommends to everyone so I thought I’d give it a go.
I loved the road trip feel of the book, the long open ended conversations that start and peter out at random intervals, the beautiful skies, the snacks, staring out of windows. This definitely captured the feeling of long drives at night.
I thought the magical realism worked really well, being just strange enough to be brushed off at first, and then gradually getting stranger and stranger as the book goes on. I want to read the book again to feel how the magical landscape ties in with the emotions and conversations as they go along.
The darker themes were dealt with well. Things were touched on sensitively and honestly, and I felt that there was real depth in spite of the simplicity of the medium. The characters were very believable and I believed that they would open up to each other in the ways that they did, and at the moments that they did.
Overall I thought this book was really moving and interesting and believable, and the art was gorgeous, and the moments of brightness and humour around coming out (and the cat) balanced it really well.
Another reviewer said it’s moody without be gloomy and I totally agree. Even through all the emotion, there’s always a sense of hope and support and goodness.
Also the villains are terrifying
I loved the road trip feel of the book, the long open ended conversations that start and peter out at random intervals, the beautiful skies, the snacks, staring out of windows. This definitely captured the feeling of long drives at night.
I thought the magical realism worked really well, being just strange enough to be brushed off at first, and then gradually getting stranger and stranger as the book goes on. I want to read the book again to feel how the magical landscape ties in with the emotions and conversations as they go along.
The darker themes were dealt with well. Things were touched on sensitively and honestly, and I felt that there was real depth in spite of the simplicity of the medium. The characters were very believable and I believed that they would open up to each other in the ways that they did, and at the moments that they did.
Overall I thought this book was really moving and interesting and believable, and the art was gorgeous, and the moments of brightness and humour around coming out (and the cat) balanced it really well.
Another reviewer said it’s moody without be gloomy and I totally agree. Even through all the emotion, there’s always a sense of hope and support and goodness.
Also the villains are terrifying
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault