Read for: Tome Topple & Graphic Novel Challenge
Synopsis: "David Smith is giving his life for his art—literally. Thanks to a deal with Death, the young sculptor gets his childhood wish: to sculpt anything he can imagine with his bare hands. But now that he only has 200 days to live, deciding what to create is harder than he thought, and discovering the love of his life at the 11th hour isn't making it any easier!
This is a story of desire taken to the edge of reason and beyond; of the frantic, clumsy dance steps of young love; and a gorgeous, street-level portrait of the world's greatest city. It's about the small, warm, human moments of everyday life…and the great surging forces that lie just under the surface. Scott McCloud wrote the book on how comics work; now he vaults into great fiction with a breathtaking, funny, and unforgettable new work."
My Review: I picked this one up for the Tome Topple Readathon, I didn't know too much going into it other than it had a theme of art. I have really enjoyed art themed graphic novels before. While it does have a very strong element of art and revolves a lot around the struggle to be inspired, create and say something important through art so it is visible, I found that the main theme of the book was more mental illness. There were some very stunning and powerful statements made throughout the book, many of which will make you pause to ponder them. With that said, it wasn't my favorite graphic novels. I wasn't really all that happy with how Meg's mental illness was portrayed or how her character as a whole was written. I am happy I took the time to read it but I don't know if I would read it again.
This is a story of desire taken to the edge of reason and beyond; of the frantic, clumsy dance steps of young love; and a gorgeous, street-level portrait of the world's greatest city. It's about the small, warm, human moments of everyday life…and the great surging forces that lie just under the surface. Scott McCloud wrote the book on how comics work; now he vaults into great fiction with a breathtaking, funny, and unforgettable new work."
My Review: I picked this one up for the Tome Topple Readathon, I didn't know too much going into it other than it had a theme of art. I have really enjoyed art themed graphic novels before. While it does have a very strong element of art and revolves a lot around the struggle to be inspired, create and say something important through art so it is visible, I found that the main theme of the book was more mental illness. There were some very stunning and powerful statements made throughout the book, many of which will make you pause to ponder them. With that said, it wasn't my favorite graphic novels. I wasn't really all that happy with how Meg's mental illness was portrayed or how her character as a whole was written. I am happy I took the time to read it but I don't know if I would read it again.
My Rating: This was an interesting read, I know a lot of people really enjoyed this one but for some reason it really rubbed me the wrong way. It did have some beautiful moments in it and I do appreciate some of the statements made but it just didn't work for me as a whole. I give it a rating of Two Paws and a Stump Wag.
Ah, too bad. I loved this one. Those beautiful moments one me over.
ReplyDeleteI saw that you had love it and that was one of the reasons I picked it up. I know you don't often read GNs but really liked this one. Those beautiful moments were great but it just didn't work for me as a whole, I am glad you enjoyed it though and will hopefully pick up a few other GNs in the future.
DeleteI agree! I did not like the characters, especially Meg. She seemed too unstable and didn't get any help.
ReplyDeleteI am glad I am not the only one to find Meg to be a really poor representation for mental illness. With that said I love that each you and Jenny had such differing opinions on it.
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