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A review by sleepingnerd
Aurora nas Sombras by Kerascoët, Fabien Vehlmann
3.0
I was a bit conflicted on what to rate this graphic novel, honestly.
I was very excited to read it, mainly because the art is beautiful. It’s all watercolors, and I loved the smart way style was used – cartoonish and deceptively sweet for the small creatures, realistic for the normal people and animals. It really sets the two worlds apart. I also enjoy the themes of loss of innocence, the slow descent into chaos and what’s of more dark in our souls. The cute, sweet fairytale creatures quickly turn fickle, cruel, egotistical. I read a review that said they represented the facets of the dead girl’s personality, as she dies and it all dissolves into chaos and entropy, and I think that’s brilliant. Also, I’m a big fan of fairytales and children’s stories turned dark and disturbing.
However. The story’s lack of a clear path and plot really bothered me. How can I follow what you’re trying to say if you’re not really going anywhere? Maybe it’s because it’s all very experimental, and more imagery than story, but I personally prefer to follow a narrative, instead of seemingly senseless dark and disturbing scenes, one after another. It’s not even about the lack of answers, because I accept that sometimes it’s best not to explain everything. But it all felt very disconnected to me. The characters are also a bit flat, except for Aurora, Plim and Zélia. None of them are much likeable, save Aurora, but that actually makes it all very interesting and fits the novel, I think.
Still, beautiful art and amazing message, even if dark and bleary. The vindication at the end was also enjoyable, in a very horrific way. All in all, I enjoyed it.
I was very excited to read it, mainly because the art is beautiful. It’s all watercolors, and I loved the smart way style was used – cartoonish and deceptively sweet for the small creatures, realistic for the normal people and animals. It really sets the two worlds apart. I also enjoy the themes of loss of innocence, the slow descent into chaos and what’s of more dark in our souls. The cute, sweet fairytale creatures quickly turn fickle, cruel, egotistical. I read a review that said they represented the facets of the dead girl’s personality, as she dies and it all dissolves into chaos and entropy, and I think that’s brilliant. Also, I’m a big fan of fairytales and children’s stories turned dark and disturbing.
However. The story’s lack of a clear path and plot really bothered me. How can I follow what you’re trying to say if you’re not really going anywhere? Maybe it’s because it’s all very experimental, and more imagery than story, but I personally prefer to follow a narrative, instead of seemingly senseless dark and disturbing scenes, one after another. It’s not even about the lack of answers, because I accept that sometimes it’s best not to explain everything. But it all felt very disconnected to me. The characters are also a bit flat, except for Aurora, Plim and Zélia. None of them are much likeable, save Aurora, but that actually makes it all very interesting and fits the novel, I think.
Still, beautiful art and amazing message, even if dark and bleary. The vindication at the end was also enjoyable, in a very horrific way. All in all, I enjoyed it.