billie_visible's review against another edition
3.0
Isaac walks a delicate and chaotic balancing act. Each step he takes runs the threat of being assaulted by an invisible enemy - his epilepsy. This was a book I sought out to help me cope, and I can't thank Iasmin Omar Ata enough for sharing parts of their story. Conceptualizing epilepsy as a representation of invisible knives Isaac must battle, he attempts to work his way through his daily life as a college student through what should be a carefree existence of parties, drinking, messy relationships, and stress related to exams. Instead he deals with medical gaslighting, confusion, and constant threats about when his next episode will strike.
The animation style is that new-age rounded type a la Steven Universe that I don't particularly love, and in truth I found the illustration occassionally overwhelming. The book also jumped all over the place at times, perhaps intentionally, maybe unintentionally, nevertheless it ultimately helped at lot and is a recommended read for anyone dealing with epilepsy.
The animation style is that new-age rounded type a la Steven Universe that I don't particularly love, and in truth I found the illustration occassionally overwhelming. The book also jumped all over the place at times, perhaps intentionally, maybe unintentionally, nevertheless it ultimately helped at lot and is a recommended read for anyone dealing with epilepsy.
marcopoloreads's review against another edition
4.0
Mis(h)adra by Iasmin Omar Ata follows our main character Isaac who is struggling with school due to his debilitating epilepsy. His episodes are so painful that he no longer sees the point in trying to live.
This is everything I want from a graphic novel. The art in this book is so bright and clean and the type of art I love in graphic novels. It’s extremely emotional and while the main character can be frustrating at times I really enjoyed his growth throughout the book.
This is everything I want from a graphic novel. The art in this book is so bright and clean and the type of art I love in graphic novels. It’s extremely emotional and while the main character can be frustrating at times I really enjoyed his growth throughout the book.
trapdoor's review against another edition
3.0
beautiful artwork
harrowing story about epileptic seizures, the difficulty in medications and how we relate
harrowing story about epileptic seizures, the difficulty in medications and how we relate
allusory's review against another edition
4.0
A quick but striking read, Mis(h)adra shares the story of Isaac, an Arab American college student struggling with epilepsy. Represented by hanging knives, Isaac's epilepsy is the one constant in his life. Attending college and working are hard enough, but Isaac's epilepsy means he's also struggling with having the energy to deal with daily tasks, an unsupportive family, medical professionals who won't listen, and his own reluctance to open up to those around him.
While the story is solid, it's really the art that does the heavy lifting here. The use of color and line work to illustrate not only the day to day tension of possible epileptic seizures but the seizure themselves is remarkable. The shift to a black and magenta color palette from the softer tone of the main story both emphasizes and empathizes Isaac's seizures. Presenting the attacks so jarringly makes it easier to relate to Isaac's struggle with the violence and disruption of epileptic seizures.
Mis(h)andra is a solid book with art that elevates it to must pick up, if only to marvel at Ata's mastery of color and tone.
While the story is solid, it's really the art that does the heavy lifting here. The use of color and line work to illustrate not only the day to day tension of possible epileptic seizures but the seizure themselves is remarkable. The shift to a black and magenta color palette from the softer tone of the main story both emphasizes and empathizes Isaac's seizures. Presenting the attacks so jarringly makes it easier to relate to Isaac's struggle with the violence and disruption of epileptic seizures.
Mis(h)andra is a solid book with art that elevates it to must pick up, if only to marvel at Ata's mastery of color and tone.
novelerachavela's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.5
angstyp's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not crying in the club. Okay. I'm totally crying in the club. And the club is my work desk. Oh well. I could not smash that "favorites" shelf fast enough.
Lately, I have not been relating to characters with medical conditions at all. They all feel so shallow and underwhelming. But after the last 4 months, Issac and Jo both made me feel less alone in this big scary medical world. Oh yeah, and the art style murders my soul in the best way possible. 5/5, 10/10, 5638965934/5638965934.
Lately, I have not been relating to characters with medical conditions at all. They all feel so shallow and underwhelming. But after the last 4 months, Issac and Jo both made me feel less alone in this big scary medical world. Oh yeah, and the art style murders my soul in the best way possible. 5/5, 10/10, 5638965934/5638965934.
florienna's review against another edition
4.0
This was an incredible, emotional read with stunning use of colour. Thank you to the author for sharing their experience with us and helping me to understand epilepsy better.
amysutton's review against another edition
5.0
This is the story of an Arab-American college student, Isaac, who struggles with living his life with epilepsy which is represented in the story by a chain of knives constantly pointed at him, ready to strike at any moment. Balancing the weight of an unsupportive family, a college courses, disbelieving doctors, and day-to-day responsibilities, Isaac is constantly under stress and feels at the end of his rope. The title, Mis(h)adra, is a play on the Arabic words “misadra,” which means “seizure,” and “mish adra,” which is slang for “I can not.”
The art in this was absolutely perfect. I think it honestly may be the best art I’ve seen in a graphic novel ever, and I bumped this book up to 5 stars for that alone. The story pacing was a bit off in some places and the ending didn’t strike as hard as the rest of the story, but the overall message and plot were solid.
+ The color scheme is gorgeous. The pinks, purples, and blues worked well together, and I really like how the shade of color shifted to show different scenarios. (e.g. When Isaac experiences one type of attack, the shades got lighter, but a different type of attack and the shades became very saturated.)
+ The art is really well done. The text becomes part of the story. The angles are fresh and interesting. If Ata needed to show flashbacks or time jumps or relay the
+ Great commentary on mental health as well as invisible illness.
Triggers: detailed suicidal thoughts, condescending doctors, some graphic medical situations
I received an ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The art in this was absolutely perfect. I think it honestly may be the best art I’ve seen in a graphic novel ever, and I bumped this book up to 5 stars for that alone. The story pacing was a bit off in some places and the ending didn’t strike as hard as the rest of the story, but the overall message and plot were solid.
+ The color scheme is gorgeous. The pinks, purples, and blues worked well together, and I really like how the shade of color shifted to show different scenarios. (e.g. When Isaac experiences one type of attack, the shades got lighter, but a different type of attack and the shades became very saturated.)
+ The art is really well done. The text becomes part of the story. The angles are fresh and interesting. If Ata needed to show flashbacks or time jumps or relay the
+ Great commentary on mental health as well as invisible illness.
Triggers: detailed suicidal thoughts, condescending doctors, some graphic medical situations
I received an ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
theshenners's review against another edition
5.0
This resonated with me a lot more than expected. I don't have epilepsy, I have depression/anxiety, but the depiction of the struggles with chronic illness mirrored my own experiences - the hopelessness, the isolation, the frustrated search for meds that work.
TWs: abuse/gaslighting from medical professionals, epilepsy, dissociation, suicidal ideation, self-harm
TWs: abuse/gaslighting from medical professionals, epilepsy, dissociation, suicidal ideation, self-harm
coddiwomple's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.0