chamblyman's review against another edition
4.0
This nested tapestry of graphic fables tells a tragi-comic love story for all ages. A perfect book to introduce younger readers to mythology and the concept of storytelling, history, religion, and philiosophy as overlapping and having similar roots in human experience. Also perfect for older folks to just enjoy the gorgeous artwork and let it put a fresh coat of deceptively light-hearted paint on your ideas about fate, gods, creation, destruction, love and death. Truly beautiful and unique.
ruttokoira's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
nicolescottwv's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
misssusan's review against another edition
3.0
whooo, short stories embedded in a larger story; my favourite narrative device
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
juliastevens8's review against another edition
5.0
ive always thought that the work and skill needed to be successful in the medium of the graphic novel is at odds with how seriously it is considered as an art form. this one is truly artfully done.
cc8chang's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
iffer's review against another edition
3.0
This could've been another case of mis-managed expectations, since this book has received such high ratings and has been on several "best of" lists, but this was another book that I appreciated and liked, but didn't love. My opinion could also be different than the general audience of this book since I have read *many* graphic novels and comics, including both those superhero comics that are seen as mediocre and only for "geeks" as well as more critically-acclaimed novels about other topics. It just seems like the overall positive reaction this book, as is often true, hinges on more than just its content, in this case the fact that the general reading audience is only now finally coming around to believing that graphic novels and comics can be substantive, written about something other than superheroes, and made by people other than stereotypically geeky white males. So, I can see how The Encyclopedia of Early Earth may seem ground-breaking when it is, in actuality, merely a rehashing, albeit a clever one in an oral frame storytelling format with artwork that I personally didn't love.
I like the concept of this book, which uses the conceit of a storyteller going on a journey to find the lost part of his soul as a springboard for introducing stories from mythology, folklore, the Bible and history, but I just wasn't "wowed" by its execution. The idea to gather the stories in this way was novel, but I don't think that a significant "spark" was really added to these familiar tales through Greenberg's retelling. As a caveat, I, for some reason, rarely appreciate things that are supposed to be funny, and I think that the added humor was probably something that readers liked about this "encyclopedia." I also wasn't much of a fan of the artwork, and reading the cursive font based on the author's writing was more of a nuisance than charming to me, since it slowed me down, but that's a personal preference. I will say that there are some beautiful full-page spreads in The Encyclopedia of Early Earth, and some striking panels, that attest to Greenberg's artistry and ability at visual storytelling, but these were sporadic throughout the work rather comprising the majority of it.
I like the concept of this book, which uses the conceit of a storyteller going on a journey to find the lost part of his soul as a springboard for introducing stories from mythology, folklore, the Bible and history, but I just wasn't "wowed" by its execution. The idea to gather the stories in this way was novel, but I don't think that a significant "spark" was really added to these familiar tales through Greenberg's retelling. As a caveat, I, for some reason, rarely appreciate things that are supposed to be funny, and I think that the added humor was probably something that readers liked about this "encyclopedia." I also wasn't much of a fan of the artwork, and reading the cursive font based on the author's writing was more of a nuisance than charming to me, since it slowed me down, but that's a personal preference. I will say that there are some beautiful full-page spreads in The Encyclopedia of Early Earth, and some striking panels, that attest to Greenberg's artistry and ability at visual storytelling, but these were sporadic throughout the work rather comprising the majority of it.
spiderfelt's review against another edition
4.0
This is a super sweet, imaginative, playful version of early Earth's creation myth with just enough modern language to make it seem contemporary.
#bookbingonw- graphic novel
#bookbingonw- graphic novel
taffy_sea's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars - Good fun! Great illustrations, sly sense of humor, all about storytelling.
sjklass's review against another edition
4.0
Don't let the title fool you. This is like no high school text book I remember. Pulling from Greek mythology and bible stories and then turning them on their head, The Encyclopedia of Early Earth are linked stories that totally enchanted me with its witty text and bold illustrations. A treat for the senses.