sparkleboymatty's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
murph_the_serf's review against another edition
3.0
The artwork is beautiful and I really want to love the story but the characters are beyond wooden (metal-en?). It may be an issue of translation (the book was originally published in French) but there is little characterization beyond one-note generalizations. It's a short story so I understand the economics of storytelling but I really can't feel for Adrian in a real way because he seems very fake and generic.
Two other issues, the scene the title is based on really doesn't connect well enough to make the title worth it and the ending is a huge failure. THis would be two stars except the at is absolutely gorgeous.
Two other issues, the scene the title is based on really doesn't connect well enough to make the title worth it and the ending is a huge failure. THis would be two stars except the at is absolutely gorgeous.
krispy_reading's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
2.75
It’s a translated work. French to English.
Surprisingly, I enjoyed the art work. The landscapes were simple yet charming.
As heartbreaking as this book is, I wish the main character was a bit more likeable. Then again the main character’s entire environment perpetuates their despair & anger.
Heads up for the ending. See CW.
Surprisingly, I enjoyed the art work. The landscapes were simple yet charming.
As heartbreaking as this book is, I wish the main character was a bit more likeable. Then again the main character’s entire environment perpetuates their despair & anger.
Spoiler
The aunt being the only half-decent human. I wish the best friend, Bruno, was a better friend. That school experience was a hellscape. I didn’t trust Jeremy. The ending? So they just swam out to never surface again? Abrupt & shocking. Heartbreaking ending regardless.Heads up for the ending. See CW.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Bullying
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, and Outing
rorky's review against another edition
1.0
No depth. Weirdly hopelessly bleak for a story that I think? is for a younger audience. Nice use of colour but apart from that just a bit weak.
sherlockstan98's review against another edition
sad
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Homophobia, and Suicide
ash_among_the_stars's review against another edition
fast-paced
2.0
I feel like this book wasn't fully developed. So much more could have happened.
I did like the colours that filled every page.
I did like the colours that filled every page.
emmylux7's review against another edition
2.0
TW: bullying, homophobia, references suicide
This graphic novel started off fairly promising & then cullminated in one of the most overused cop out endings ever. Fun fact: Not every single story w/ LGBT content needs/has to end that way. The story was already frustrating/upsetting enough to have it end w/ Adrian LITERALLY swimming out into open ocean. Did he get picked up by a boat after dying of hypothermia from the cold water? Did he swim back to shore? It was very unsettling; especially reading this as a person in the LGBT community who has suffered/continues to suffer with some of the same feelings. Thankfully I have a dad who accepted me for who I am, no questions asked. Adrian deserved to have at least ONE person to love & protect him from the harsh realities of the world. From the looks of it his Aunt seemed to be that person but he ran off before anything could come of it. I lost track of the amount of loose ends this book ended with which was by far the worst part of my whole reading experience. Along with the pacing issues & disjointed way the speech bubbles were laid out. I found myself having to reread columns multiple times b4 figuring out which to read first. The only reason this book got higher than a one star was the artwork; it was simple but beautiful. Other than that I gained nothing from reading this story; very easily forgettable.
This graphic novel started off fairly promising & then cullminated in one of the most overused cop out endings ever. Fun fact: Not every single story w/ LGBT content needs/has to end that way. The story was already frustrating/upsetting enough to have it end w/ Adrian LITERALLY swimming out into open ocean. Did he get picked up by a boat after dying of hypothermia from the cold water? Did he swim back to shore? It was very unsettling; especially reading this as a person in the LGBT community who has suffered/continues to suffer with some of the same feelings. Thankfully I have a dad who accepted me for who I am, no questions asked. Adrian deserved to have at least ONE person to love & protect him from the harsh realities of the world. From the looks of it his Aunt seemed to be that person but he ran off before anything could come of it. I lost track of the amount of loose ends this book ended with which was by far the worst part of my whole reading experience. Along with the pacing issues & disjointed way the speech bubbles were laid out. I found myself having to reread columns multiple times b4 figuring out which to read first. The only reason this book got higher than a one star was the artwork; it was simple but beautiful. Other than that I gained nothing from reading this story; very easily forgettable.
zepysgirl's review against another edition
2.0
A graphic novel about a gay kid who gets outted in his conservative community, so decides to commit suicide by swimming out to sea… The stilted art and translation don’t help things.
efwino's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the plot and the story, but the artwork? Not so much. I'm sorry Marie Caillou, but your characters look like someone drew a (ugly) face on a stick. I loved the beginning of the book, it made me wonder if I could actually trust Jeremy (when he was actually a lil' bitch).
I loved the character of Adrian's aunt, she seems to really love her nephew, and I would be ready to pay to know what turned the young boy's mother into the stuck-up religious wench that she is.
As for the ending... Really? REALLY? The only thing Adrian could do was throw himself off a cliff and into the ocean? Wow Adrian, congrats. But really, I loved this book, and one thing that could've made it better would've been to have Adrian punch/slap Jeremy in the last panel, instead of swimming into the sunset (and drowning).
I loved the character of Adrian's aunt, she seems to really love her nephew, and I would be ready to pay to know what turned the young boy's mother into the stuck-up religious wench that she is.
As for the ending... Really? REALLY? The only thing Adrian could do was throw himself off a cliff and into the ocean? Wow Adrian, congrats. But really, I loved this book, and one thing that could've made it better would've been to have Adrian punch/slap Jeremy in the last panel, instead of swimming into the sunset (and drowning).
stefieereads's review
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0