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iseefeelings's reviews
335 reviews
The Arrival by Shaun Tan
5.0
This is the first book of Shaun Tan that I've ever read.
As I was flipping through it, I gradually realized that my deepest desire is to draw for adults especially rather than children only, like how I personally prefer the term 'picture books' to 'children's books'. I believe that the power of imagination and emotion is often far more complex and beyond the scope of an individual may possess, for how it may be reinforced by linking the minds of many. What I also love is to find meaning in the visual narrative of a book instead of skimming the words. In The Arrival, no words are used in order to evoke the empathy for an immigrant since they have to start all over again in a whole strange place.
While making a draft for the review of this graphic novel, I remember my former host, J., a native of South Africa but now living in Canada with his wife and kids. I know that I'm not able to understand this book as profoundly as he does, so this book will definitely be the right gift for him.
As I was flipping through it, I gradually realized that my deepest desire is to draw for adults especially rather than children only, like how I personally prefer the term 'picture books' to 'children's books'. I believe that the power of imagination and emotion is often far more complex and beyond the scope of an individual may possess, for how it may be reinforced by linking the minds of many. What I also love is to find meaning in the visual narrative of a book instead of skimming the words. In The Arrival, no words are used in order to evoke the empathy for an immigrant since they have to start all over again in a whole strange place.
While making a draft for the review of this graphic novel, I remember my former host, J., a native of South Africa but now living in Canada with his wife and kids. I know that I'm not able to understand this book as profoundly as he does, so this book will definitely be the right gift for him.
On Love by Charles Bukowski
3.0
Raw, intense and tender are what I would say to sum up this book.
•
The same thought struck me while reading On Love: there is a sense of loss when he talked about people. There is also tenderness whenever he wrote for his beloved ones: his daughter, his ex-wife, his favourite lover and his ultimate love. Because there are some works that I honestly can’t relate, it seems to me that Bukowski is like an alcoholic rambling and dashing his words unapologetically sometimes. I prefer his short poems than the lengthy ones.
•
Sex is nothing but true joyfulness when it comes to this ‘dirty old man’’s life and work. What I must admit is that even though sex is my least favourite part to read, Bukowski wrote it playfully and wildly with his expressive poetry language.
•
It is worth mentioning, for future reference, my best-loved poems in the book (in order of appearance):
- For the 18 months of Marina Louise
- All the love of me goes out to her (for A.M)
- An answer to a critic of sorts
- A definition
- A magician, gone
- No luck for that
- Turn
- The bluebird
•
The same thought struck me while reading On Love: there is a sense of loss when he talked about people. There is also tenderness whenever he wrote for his beloved ones: his daughter, his ex-wife, his favourite lover and his ultimate love. Because there are some works that I honestly can’t relate, it seems to me that Bukowski is like an alcoholic rambling and dashing his words unapologetically sometimes. I prefer his short poems than the lengthy ones.
•
Sex is nothing but true joyfulness when it comes to this ‘dirty old man’’s life and work. What I must admit is that even though sex is my least favourite part to read, Bukowski wrote it playfully and wildly with his expressive poetry language.
•
It is worth mentioning, for future reference, my best-loved poems in the book (in order of appearance):
- For the 18 months of Marina Louise
- All the love of me goes out to her (for A.M)
- An answer to a critic of sorts
- A definition
- A magician, gone
- No luck for that
- Turn
- The bluebird
All Things Oz: The Wonder, Wit, and Wisdom of The Wizard of Oz by Linda Sunshine
This book would be a great collection of excerpts, quotes and illustrations for any Oz fans out there. I was impressed by the variety of artwork and the beautiful layout design, which are surpassed those of many other art books I’ve seen so far.
_
"No thief, however skillful, can rob one of knowledge, and that is why knowledge is the best and safest treasure to acquire." - The Lost Princess of Oz, 1917 (p.36)
*
"Be contented with your fate, for discontent leads to unhappiness, and unhappiness, in any form, is the greatest evil that can befall you." - The Tin Woodman of Oz, 1918 (p.140)
*
"People often do a good deed without hope of reward, but for an evil deed they always demand payment." - The Emerald City of Oz, 1910 (p.140)
"Never give up. No one knows what's going to happen next." - Dorothy, The Patchwork Girl of Oz, 1913 (p.156)
*
"There was no reply. So the boy called to the King: "Are you all right, your majesty?"
The Scarecrow groaned.
"I'm all wrong, somehow," he said in a weak voice. - The Marvelous Land of Oz, 1904 (p.272)
*
"The last end of a wait, however long it has been, is the hardest to endure." - The Tin Woodman of Oz, 1918 (p.278)
*
"To become self-reliant, you must trust your own inner nature and love yourself." Joey Green, The Zen of Oz: Ten Spiritual Lessons from Over The Rainbow, 1998 (p.318)
5.0
This book would be a great collection of excerpts, quotes and illustrations for any Oz fans out there. I was impressed by the variety of artwork and the beautiful layout design, which are surpassed those of many other art books I’ve seen so far.
_
"No thief, however skillful, can rob one of knowledge, and that is why knowledge is the best and safest treasure to acquire." - The Lost Princess of Oz, 1917 (p.36)
*
"Be contented with your fate, for discontent leads to unhappiness, and unhappiness, in any form, is the greatest evil that can befall you." - The Tin Woodman of Oz, 1918 (p.140)
*
"People often do a good deed without hope of reward, but for an evil deed they always demand payment." - The Emerald City of Oz, 1910 (p.140)
"Never give up. No one knows what's going to happen next." - Dorothy, The Patchwork Girl of Oz, 1913 (p.156)
*
"There was no reply. So the boy called to the King: "Are you all right, your majesty?"
The Scarecrow groaned.
"I'm all wrong, somehow," he said in a weak voice. - The Marvelous Land of Oz, 1904 (p.272)
*
"The last end of a wait, however long it has been, is the hardest to endure." - The Tin Woodman of Oz, 1918 (p.278)
*
"To become self-reliant, you must trust your own inner nature and love yourself." Joey Green, The Zen of Oz: Ten Spiritual Lessons from Over The Rainbow, 1998 (p.318)
Illustrating Children's Books: Creating Pictures for Publication by Martin Salisbury
4.0
Even though this book was published in the early 2000s, it still covers a wide range of invaluable information for children's book illustrators. I jotted down many helpful notes while reading, there are some techniques/ the process of book-making that I'd never heard of.
•
My favourite chapter is the making of novelties and pop-ups, what an interesting challenge! You can surely find a lot of these things on the internet but the book serves as a good checklist to review all the basic skills and a good overview of all the possibilities you have as a book illustrator.
•
My favourite chapter is the making of novelties and pop-ups, what an interesting challenge! You can surely find a lot of these things on the internet but the book serves as a good checklist to review all the basic skills and a good overview of all the possibilities you have as a book illustrator.
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
5.0
While reading Anne of Green Gables, I can’t help but think about purchasing a whole box set for this lovely Canadian literature’s treasure. It has been so so long since the last time I got hooked on a book series like this. I didn’t know it feels that good and refreshing to have a book which brings me back to the little me I once was and eases the harshness in life.
I was so afraid that any dramatic incident would come to Anne but after all, the book is just like a mellow song; it soothes my wounded heart and lifts up my poor soul. Life suddenly becomes a little bit brighter, dreamier to me. I miss the little me who was daydreaming all the time. But I’m not Anne, I don’t have the fearless spirit like her. I love how she has her flaws but never hesitates to improve herself; she enjoys little moments in life with such a dear young heart. I just want to be her kindred spirit somehow.
_
(236)"I've been making mistakes, and each mistake has helped to cure me of some great shortcoming."
(237)" 'Don't give up all your romance, Anne,' he whispered shyly, 'a little of it is a good thing - not too much, of course - but keep a little of it, Anne, keep a little of it.' "
(312)"When Matthew was here he liked to hear you laugh and he liked to know that you found pleasure in the pleasant things around you,' said Mrs Allan gently. 'He is just away now; and he likes to know it just the same. I am sure we should not shut our hearts against the healing influences that nature offers us. But I understand your feeling. I think we all experience the same thing. We resent the thought that anything can please us when someone we love is no longer here to share the pleasure with us, and we almost feel as if we were unfaithful to our sorrow when we find our interest in life returning to us.'"
(319)"'When I left Queen's my future seemed to stretch out before me like a straight road. I thought I could see along it for many a milestone. Now there is a bend in it. I don't know what lies around the bend, but I'm going to believe that the best does. It has a fascination of its own, that bend, Marilla. I wonder how the road beyond it goes - what there is of green glory and soft, chequered light and shadows - what new landscapes - what new beauties - what curves and hills and valleys farther on.'"
I was so afraid that any dramatic incident would come to Anne but after all, the book is just like a mellow song; it soothes my wounded heart and lifts up my poor soul. Life suddenly becomes a little bit brighter, dreamier to me. I miss the little me who was daydreaming all the time. But I’m not Anne, I don’t have the fearless spirit like her. I love how she has her flaws but never hesitates to improve herself; she enjoys little moments in life with such a dear young heart. I just want to be her kindred spirit somehow.
_
(236)"I've been making mistakes, and each mistake has helped to cure me of some great shortcoming."
(237)" 'Don't give up all your romance, Anne,' he whispered shyly, 'a little of it is a good thing - not too much, of course - but keep a little of it, Anne, keep a little of it.' "
(312)"When Matthew was here he liked to hear you laugh and he liked to know that you found pleasure in the pleasant things around you,' said Mrs Allan gently. 'He is just away now; and he likes to know it just the same. I am sure we should not shut our hearts against the healing influences that nature offers us. But I understand your feeling. I think we all experience the same thing. We resent the thought that anything can please us when someone we love is no longer here to share the pleasure with us, and we almost feel as if we were unfaithful to our sorrow when we find our interest in life returning to us.'"
(319)"'When I left Queen's my future seemed to stretch out before me like a straight road. I thought I could see along it for many a milestone. Now there is a bend in it. I don't know what lies around the bend, but I'm going to believe that the best does. It has a fascination of its own, that bend, Marilla. I wonder how the road beyond it goes - what there is of green glory and soft, chequered light and shadows - what new landscapes - what new beauties - what curves and hills and valleys farther on.'"
Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen
4.0
Charming watercoloured illustrations by Lisbeth Zwerger caught my eyes and her work has a dear place in my heart now.
I love how Andersen described the grasshopper in The Rose Tree Regiment:
"[...]We were blessed and told to go forth and multiply. We live on roses, we die in roses; our whole life is poetry. Don't call us by that disgusting, nasty name - I won't say it, I absolutely will not utter the word! Call us the ant's cows, the rose tree regiment, the little green ones!"
or the way he re-imagined the image of Death in The Sandman:
"[..] he has silver braid on his coat and wears a very fine military uniform, with a black velvet cape flying out behind him and his horse".
I love how Andersen described the grasshopper in The Rose Tree Regiment:
"[...]We were blessed and told to go forth and multiply. We live on roses, we die in roses; our whole life is poetry. Don't call us by that disgusting, nasty name - I won't say it, I absolutely will not utter the word! Call us the ant's cows, the rose tree regiment, the little green ones!"
or the way he re-imagined the image of Death in The Sandman:
"[..] he has silver braid on his coat and wears a very fine military uniform, with a black velvet cape flying out behind him and his horse".
Bone: The Complete Edition by Jeff Smith
5.0
A fantastically told and beautifully illustrated graphic novel that worths to be one of the greatest of all time