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monitaroymohan's reviews
1088 reviews
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
3.0
A very ambitious piece that works for the most part. It encompasses centuries, revisiting the past while envisioning the future. The stories are all connected, in whatever tenuous way possible. It definitely makes for an interesting and entertaining read, though it can feel overlong in several areas. The extreme future segment was a hard read, and I found it difficult to concentrate on.
It is oddly bleak in its outlook on humanity, but I feel that cynicism is certainly apt. At the very least, I can't help but agree with it.
Definitely a superb piece of writing, which only falters sparingly. Not perfect, but it is unique.
It is oddly bleak in its outlook on humanity, but I feel that cynicism is certainly apt. At the very least, I can't help but agree with it.
Definitely a superb piece of writing, which only falters sparingly. Not perfect, but it is unique.
Batman: The Killing Joke by Alan Moore
3.0
I've heard a lot about this book so it was great to finally get my hands on it.
As a one-shot it is interesting and intriguing. It features the Joker as the central character and surprisingly gives him a tragic back story.
I don't believe Moore ever imagined the repercussions his piece would have on the greater Batman universe. It did have an impact however, for better or for worse.
I read the deluxe edition which featured artist Bolland's final colour scheme. The artistry is definitely top-notch.
The story though... It was new and innovative for its time, but it doesn't really bring all that much new to the table. I would prefer the Joker to be a figure clouded in mystery, rather than attempt to make him sympathetic. For a vile and violent character as that, nothing can make him sympathetic.
The story has come under criticism, mostly regarding its treatment of Barbara Gordon. There's also the fact that Batman, near the end, appears to trivialise the incident by reasoning with the Joker.
Comic books are problematic. Always have been for the female reader. This book is no different, unfortunately.
As a one-shot it is interesting and intriguing. It features the Joker as the central character and surprisingly gives him a tragic back story.
I don't believe Moore ever imagined the repercussions his piece would have on the greater Batman universe. It did have an impact however, for better or for worse.
I read the deluxe edition which featured artist Bolland's final colour scheme. The artistry is definitely top-notch.
The story though... It was new and innovative for its time, but it doesn't really bring all that much new to the table. I would prefer the Joker to be a figure clouded in mystery, rather than attempt to make him sympathetic. For a vile and violent character as that, nothing can make him sympathetic.
The story has come under criticism, mostly regarding its treatment of Barbara Gordon. There's also the fact that Batman, near the end, appears to trivialise the incident by reasoning with the Joker.
Comic books are problematic. Always have been for the female reader. This book is no different, unfortunately.
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
3.0
Intriguing and touching. The book is told to us from the point of view of Buck, a dog born into luxury before being sold by his owner who falls on hard times.
I constantly read parallels between Buck's story and those of slaves around the world. It was heart-breaking throughout. Following the blissful life Buck once lead, he's passed around many owners, some temperamental, others kindly, and he metamorphoses into a hard, almost cruel leader.
It's a touching story, brilliantly written. There's a pathos that runs throughout the story. The ending, however, befits the title rather than the story. It didn't quite segue as naturally as it could have. However, it was the best ending that Buck could get.
I constantly read parallels between Buck's story and those of slaves around the world. It was heart-breaking throughout. Following the blissful life Buck once lead, he's passed around many owners, some temperamental, others kindly, and he metamorphoses into a hard, almost cruel leader.
It's a touching story, brilliantly written. There's a pathos that runs throughout the story. The ending, however, befits the title rather than the story. It didn't quite segue as naturally as it could have. However, it was the best ending that Buck could get.
Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome
3.0
Highly recommended for its amusing stories and insight into humanity. I found it hilarious in parts, but the writing does appear dated. It'll make you chuckle and is the required relief in between all the heavy reading we usually tend to revel in.
Despite it not aging as well as PG Wodehouse's collections, it is an essential component on every bookshelf.
Despite it not aging as well as PG Wodehouse's collections, it is an essential component on every bookshelf.
Robin: Year One by Chuck Dixon
3.0
I'll say it outright - I love Dick Grayson. I think he's a fascinating character and a rare breed; he's often drawn for female audiences.
But this book isn't about all that. This features a very young Robin, still finding the ropes in his relationship with Batman. The story plonks us right in the middle of their crime-fighting. Our omniscient narrator is Alfred, who brings heart and both sides of the characters' points of view.
The story centers around Two-Face, and his antics. It's an important part of Robin's lesson, how Two-Face manipulates people to do his bidding.
I wasn't a big fan of the art - it's a little too retro with a touch of anime thrown in.
A good read as an added look into Dick's growth as Robin and his eventual transformation into Nightwing.
But this book isn't about all that. This features a very young Robin, still finding the ropes in his relationship with Batman. The story plonks us right in the middle of their crime-fighting. Our omniscient narrator is Alfred, who brings heart and both sides of the characters' points of view.
The story centers around Two-Face, and his antics. It's an important part of Robin's lesson, how Two-Face manipulates people to do his bidding.
I wasn't a big fan of the art - it's a little too retro with a touch of anime thrown in.
A good read as an added look into Dick's growth as Robin and his eventual transformation into Nightwing.
Top 10, Vol. 1 by Alan Moore
2.0
There's a lot to commend Top 10, the 12 book series of graphic novels by Alan Moore.
The story follows a police precinct in Neopolis consisting of superpowered beings. We follow the detectives' daily trials and travails as they investigate a Jack the Ripper-esque serial killer. It's a police procedural, but with superheroes. We see them struggle through their family lives, their professional issues, their love lives.
Several teams investigate different cases. Sometimes the cases overlap. There are other smaller cases to follow as well.
The art is beautiful, so visually arresting. Neopolis comes alive in Gene Ha's illustrations. It's not just the people, but the places. The skyline, the extraordinary skyway, the dank and dreary alleyways. I could get lost in that world.
What irked me, though, was that despite its novel idea and concept, Ton 10 still treads the same old path. The men are diversely drawn, an old cowboy, the nerd, the gigantic invincible fella, the old old captain. But when it comes to the women... we have one large woman who is covered head to toe in tech. Almost all the rest are conventionally drawn and they are all highly sexualised. Seems like in Neopolis women find it hard to get pants, or even a proper shirt. Only one female character dresses like an actual cop (as opposed to the men, almost all of whom dress in suits), and she's black and is the typical trope of 'keeps falling in love with all the men around her'.
The highly sexualised nature of the women continues in the professional field. Barring the cops, the only women we see are the prostitutes being killed off, and a porn star. There's no gratuitous nudity, but plenty of angled shots accentuating the women's... assets. If they were drawn as such as part of an overriding commentary on our view of female heroes, I may have forgiven it. But no, it's all part and parcel of the gaze of the writing. Ladies have to be hot, guys can be a range of them. Almost all the women's love lives are on display, but the men are not judged by that. They have their various issues, love not being the most integral part of it.
I wanted to love this book, but it wasn't possible with that all-pervasive male gaze. Story and art was great though.
The story follows a police precinct in Neopolis consisting of superpowered beings. We follow the detectives' daily trials and travails as they investigate a Jack the Ripper-esque serial killer. It's a police procedural, but with superheroes. We see them struggle through their family lives, their professional issues, their love lives.
Several teams investigate different cases. Sometimes the cases overlap. There are other smaller cases to follow as well.
The art is beautiful, so visually arresting. Neopolis comes alive in Gene Ha's illustrations. It's not just the people, but the places. The skyline, the extraordinary skyway, the dank and dreary alleyways. I could get lost in that world.
What irked me, though, was that despite its novel idea and concept, Ton 10 still treads the same old path. The men are diversely drawn, an old cowboy, the nerd, the gigantic invincible fella, the old old captain. But when it comes to the women... we have one large woman who is covered head to toe in tech. Almost all the rest are conventionally drawn and they are all highly sexualised. Seems like in Neopolis women find it hard to get pants, or even a proper shirt. Only one female character dresses like an actual cop (as opposed to the men, almost all of whom dress in suits), and she's black and is the typical trope of 'keeps falling in love with all the men around her'.
The highly sexualised nature of the women continues in the professional field. Barring the cops, the only women we see are the prostitutes being killed off, and a porn star. There's no gratuitous nudity, but plenty of angled shots accentuating the women's... assets. If they were drawn as such as part of an overriding commentary on our view of female heroes, I may have forgiven it. But no, it's all part and parcel of the gaze of the writing. Ladies have to be hot, guys can be a range of them. Almost all the women's love lives are on display, but the men are not judged by that. They have their various issues, love not being the most integral part of it.
I wanted to love this book, but it wasn't possible with that all-pervasive male gaze. Story and art was great though.