jbmorgan86's review against another edition
2.0
An old man dies. His kids have complicated feelings about. The grandson is more upset about losing his cat. There are some flashbacks and some glimpses of the Hawaii setting . . . but other than that, it wasn’t really much of anything. I’m not sure why it was on the ALA’s “Best of 2021” list.
Kudos for the Bach Fugue / Black Flag shirt.
Kudos for the Bach Fugue / Black Flag shirt.
alwroteabook's review against another edition
5.0
Pretty good. A tale about grief and abandonment that's funny in some parts and sad in others.
karbingut's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jekutree's review against another edition
5.0
Instant classic.
Utilizes it’s format so well and its up there with my favorite packages for a book ever. It’s a beautiful 7.75 by 6 inch book making it this unique small package. I don’t know if I’ve read any books at this size, but it created a real intimate experience and the subject matter obviously aids that as well.
I don’t want to say much about the story because I think it does a great job transporting you into the story with the characters. Johnson’s storytelling is so empathetic, you really feel everything the character’s going through. The subtle use of Orange throughout is visually striking and the way it’s used to specifically point out certain things is done really well.
I love the utilization of the wider format, definitely the best use of it I’ve ever seen outside of comic strips. I’m in love with everything about this.
Utilizes it’s format so well and its up there with my favorite packages for a book ever. It’s a beautiful 7.75 by 6 inch book making it this unique small package. I don’t know if I’ve read any books at this size, but it created a real intimate experience and the subject matter obviously aids that as well.
I don’t want to say much about the story because I think it does a great job transporting you into the story with the characters. Johnson’s storytelling is so empathetic, you really feel everything the character’s going through. The subtle use of Orange throughout is visually striking and the way it’s used to specifically point out certain things is done really well.
I love the utilization of the wider format, definitely the best use of it I’ve ever seen outside of comic strips. I’m in love with everything about this.
bryceycle's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tami317's review against another edition
4.0
This graphic novel is set in Hawaii. It tells the story of a single mother and son who care for her aging father. A tragedy brings the family together including her brother who left for his career. The brother helps the mother and son deal with the tragedy in their own special ways. I thought it was a wonderful book that teaches us all the strength of family.
scholastic_squid's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.25
tomhill's review against another edition
4.0
We are dropped into the events of No One Else and then just as abruptly pulled back out. If you think of it in these terms, it is very successful. It doesn't really have the structure of a novel, it is more a short story, a snapshot. Like any successful short story, it needs to hit certain beats and develop its characters quickly, but with some depth. I'm impressed with the amount of emotion packed into so few pages.
schnoebs13's review against another edition
3.0
When their father dies, two siblings are brought together to deal with the after math while the daughter is still faced with raising her son and paying all the bills from their late father’s medical treatment. Filled with the different perspectives of how friend can impact individuals, the reader is shown just what a death in a family can do to change an entire future.
I think this was beautifully done and the illustrations were perfect for the type of story being told. The biggest thing that prevents me from rating this higher is how uncomfortable I was reading this. I completely understand that this was the point and that also being uncomfortable at times while reading allows the reader to grow but idk if this is the type of story for that. My uncomfort came from feeling like I was wrongfully looking in on a very private moment and that I had no place seeing these people’s grief. I enjoyed seeing a bit more into the Hawaiian culture and seeing how the brother was determined to not let everything fall apart but it still wasn’t completely for me. My heart went out to the boy and his cat but at the same time I felt like I was intruding and really shouldn’t have seen it.
I think this was beautifully done and the illustrations were perfect for the type of story being told. The biggest thing that prevents me from rating this higher is how uncomfortable I was reading this. I completely understand that this was the point and that also being uncomfortable at times while reading allows the reader to grow but idk if this is the type of story for that. My uncomfort came from feeling like I was wrongfully looking in on a very private moment and that I had no place seeing these people’s grief. I enjoyed seeing a bit more into the Hawaiian culture and seeing how the brother was determined to not let everything fall apart but it still wasn’t completely for me. My heart went out to the boy and his cat but at the same time I felt like I was intruding and really shouldn’t have seen it.
chiccad's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0