Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by mastersal
Boxers by Gene Luen Yang
5.0
This book is the first in two volumes about the Boxer Rebellion, targeted towards YA audiences (or towards children - I can’t tell). The two volumes tell the story of the rebellion from different protagonist’s POV - each of whom is on the opposing sides.
This volume follows a young Chinese boy, Little Bao, who has “had enough [of] … bands of foreign missionaries and soldiers [roaming] the countryside, bullying and robbing Chinese peasants.”
He harnesses the powers of ancient Chinese gods and sets out to avenge his people and fight for China. However, Mulan this isn’t. His rebellion is violent and disconcerting because he doesn’t spare Chinese converts who are “secondary devils”. All Christians - even women and children are evil - and as an adult, I knew this wouldn’t end well.
However, I was surprised at how non-judgmental the author was. There is sorrow in the book - parts which made me cry (and still make me tear up when thinking about it) but he doesn’t make Little Boa evil. There is justice in his anger which I recognize, but it goes too far. Even though I knew little about the actual historical events (quick google search aside), the story is quite familiar when looking at Colonial history.
Perhaps it is that context - and the fact that the rebellion ultimately failed - which broke my heart. The ending especially left me in tears. Despite the presence of the gods - this isn’t a fantasy and ends as I would have expected historically.
This is historical fiction being used well - and worth checking out for younger readers.
Even though not sensationalized, the on page violence is present and graphic. This may be too much for very young readers so parents should probably read this first (or read it even if they don't want to give it to their kids).
The art style is quite simple - which I kind of liked. There were no detailed full page layouts here - ala Marvel or DC - which prevented the violence from being “cool”.
In the end - everything felt deliberate and in service of the story. That put it over for me to a wholehearted 5 stars.
I may have to wait to read book 2 because I am not sure I can read another book which stomps on my tiny tiny little heart.
This volume follows a young Chinese boy, Little Bao, who has “had enough [of] … bands of foreign missionaries and soldiers [roaming] the countryside, bullying and robbing Chinese peasants.”
He harnesses the powers of ancient Chinese gods and sets out to avenge his people and fight for China. However, Mulan this isn’t. His rebellion is violent and disconcerting because he doesn’t spare Chinese converts who are “secondary devils”. All Christians - even women and children are evil - and as an adult, I knew this wouldn’t end well.
However, I was surprised at how non-judgmental the author was. There is sorrow in the book - parts which made me cry (and still make me tear up when thinking about it) but he doesn’t make Little Boa evil. There is justice in his anger which I recognize, but it goes too far. Even though I knew little about the actual historical events (quick google search aside), the story is quite familiar when looking at Colonial history.
Perhaps it is that context - and the fact that the rebellion ultimately failed - which broke my heart. The ending especially left me in tears. Despite the presence of the gods - this isn’t a fantasy and ends as I would have expected historically.
This is historical fiction being used well - and worth checking out for younger readers.
Even though not sensationalized, the on page violence is present and graphic. This may be too much for very young readers so parents should probably read this first (or read it even if they don't want to give it to their kids).
The art style is quite simple - which I kind of liked. There were no detailed full page layouts here - ala Marvel or DC - which prevented the violence from being “cool”.
In the end - everything felt deliberate and in service of the story. That put it over for me to a wholehearted 5 stars.
I may have to wait to read book 2 because I am not sure I can read another book which stomps on my tiny tiny little heart.