xx_selenite's review against another edition
I don't even know what to say tbh
Like... I love Netflix for changing almost everything (and I hate for cancelling the show)
Like... I love Netflix for changing almost everything (and I hate for cancelling the show)
jmbz38's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Rape
ellabhart's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
mschlat's review against another edition
2.0
This is not like the Nextflix series. In fact, I'm guessing if you liked the Netflix series, you won't like the source material. (The latter may also be true.)
The Netflix series took the basics of this story, mashed it up with Carrie, John Hughes films and superhero origin stories, and presented it in bright day-glo colors. I enjoyed it for the cast and the visuals, but found it a bit facile and transparent at the end. (A telekinetic at a prom! A nasty high school quarterback! Whoa!)
On the other hand, Forsman's graphic novel is ugly. That's not an insult, but an acknowledgement that Forsman isn't interested in presenting pretty people. Sydney looks like a young punk Olive Oyl, and her friends and family are scruffy messed up people. Unlike the coy approach towards sex and sexuality in the series, here sex is much more matter of fact and the romance is much more toned down. And the violence in the book is more grounded and offers a much more straightforward path to Sydney's guilt and feelings of isolation. It's a simpler plotline that eschews the busyness of the series and embraces more nuance as a result.
The Netflix series took the basics of this story, mashed it up with Carrie, John Hughes films and superhero origin stories, and presented it in bright day-glo colors. I enjoyed it for the cast and the visuals, but found it a bit facile and transparent at the end. (A telekinetic at a prom! A nasty high school quarterback! Whoa!)
On the other hand, Forsman's graphic novel is ugly. That's not an insult, but an acknowledgement that Forsman isn't interested in presenting pretty people. Sydney looks like a young punk Olive Oyl, and her friends and family are scruffy messed up people. Unlike the coy approach towards sex and sexuality in the series, here sex is much more matter of fact and the romance is much more toned down. And the violence in the book is more grounded and offers a much more straightforward path to Sydney's guilt and feelings of isolation. It's a simpler plotline that eschews the busyness of the series and embraces more nuance as a result.
rjproffer's review against another edition
1.0
I never thought I would be saying that the adaptation is better. I really wish I had read some of these review before buying it.
A male author telling the story of a young girl struggling with her sexuality, suffering from PTSD from her father's death, and resenting her mother for working hard to provide for them because her mother doesn't want to talk about her father. There were some problematic issues with the women relationships in this book. Sydney resents her mother, gets taken advantage of by an older woman (who knows how old, it isn't mentioned, at least three years older), and harbors a crush on her best friend that is rebuffed in a strange, inauthentic moment.
Plotwise this book was rushed and the shifts did not seem earned. The ending was problematic by itself, a white male writing in the suicide for a teenage lesbian girl in a "kill your gays" trope. As a teacher I was horrified by the shift in the guidance counselor and disappointed that Charles Forsman wants to end a story on this note, that the only solution for your problems, heartache and feeling of isolation is to end it. What a horribly irresponsible to rush to this ending.
A male author telling the story of a young girl struggling with her sexuality, suffering from PTSD from her father's death, and resenting her mother for working hard to provide for them because her mother doesn't want to talk about her father. There were some problematic issues with the women relationships in this book. Sydney resents her mother, gets taken advantage of by an older woman (who knows how old, it isn't mentioned, at least three years older), and harbors a crush on her best friend that is rebuffed in a strange, inauthentic moment.
Plotwise this book was rushed and the shifts did not seem earned. The ending was problematic by itself, a white male writing in the suicide for a teenage lesbian girl in a "kill your gays" trope. As a teacher I was horrified by the shift in the guidance counselor and disappointed that Charles Forsman wants to end a story on this note, that the only solution for your problems, heartache and feeling of isolation is to end it. What a horribly irresponsible to rush to this ending.
entrescritos_ynovelas's review
3.0
Me ha gustado aun que me ha dejado un poco “meh”. Es una novela gráfica bastante rápida de leer y corta que va muy bien para días en que estamos un poco más perezosos a la hora de leer cosas más densas. No obstante, el final me ha dejado un poco con “el culo torcido” y me parece que no se desarrollan bien los personajes.
rogueleader's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0