mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
I always have been curious about the whole Mexico-border thing, and this one tells it from a personal view. That of Tony who wants to go over the border so he can be with his girlfriend who lives in America. I already knew the journey wouldn’t be easy (I have read enough books about the topic, seen a few movies), but it was just heartbreaking to see Tony go through all the things he went through. All he wants is an honest life with a possibility to grow, to be better. And of course living with his lovely girlfriend.
I also felt sorry for his girlfriend, I can’t imagine how it must feel to worry that your boyfriend will not get over the border, or will get killed while doing so, or will never get out of jail because of the border-crossing. The parts where he called her when something went wrong, or when it eventually does go right (no spoiler, come on guys, you can read everywhere that he is currently living in another country that isn’t Mexico), those parts were just heartbreaking, and I sniffled. At the earlier parts because I just felt so sorry for both of them, and then the last part because I was so happy that they could be together and be happy.
The times he crossed the border, but also the times that he told us about what happened when one crosses the border, the dangers, it just broke my heart.
The author/illustrator did a brilliant job on everything, I loved how the art looked, I loved how the characters looked. It was just all fantastic.
At the end we also have some sketches, and it was just lovely to see his work before it was coloured/finished.
All in all, this is one book I would recommend to everyone.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I always have been curious about the whole Mexico-border thing, and this one tells it from a personal view. That of Tony who wants to go over the border so he can be with his girlfriend who lives in America. I already knew the journey wouldn’t be easy (I have read enough books about the topic, seen a few movies), but it was just heartbreaking to see Tony go through all the things he went through. All he wants is an honest life with a possibility to grow, to be better. And of course living with his lovely girlfriend.
I also felt sorry for his girlfriend, I can’t imagine how it must feel to worry that your boyfriend will not get over the border, or will get killed while doing so, or will never get out of jail because of the border-crossing. The parts where he called her when something went wrong, or when it eventually does go right (no spoiler, come on guys, you can read everywhere that he is currently living in another country that isn’t Mexico), those parts were just heartbreaking, and I sniffled. At the earlier parts because I just felt so sorry for both of them, and then the last part because I was so happy that they could be together and be happy.
The times he crossed the border, but also the times that he told us about what happened when one crosses the border, the dangers, it just broke my heart.
The author/illustrator did a brilliant job on everything, I loved how the art looked, I loved how the characters looked. It was just all fantastic.
At the end we also have some sketches, and it was just lovely to see his work before it was coloured/finished.
All in all, this is one book I would recommend to everyone.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
jmanchester0's review against another edition
4.0
A story about love. But also a story about the real lives of people that try to make it across the border from Mexico to the U.S. for a plethora of reasons. Told openly and honestly, it's hard to read this and not feel for those that are trying to make it across - to build a better life, to get to their family, or for whatever reason. The art is different and I kind of liked it - though at one point I thought the main character was actually the main character's girlfriend.
Definitely with reading for a different take on crossing the border and understanding people who take the risk to try to escape to a better future.
Thanks to NetGalley and Magnetic Press for a copy in return for an honest review.
Definitely with reading for a different take on crossing the border and understanding people who take the risk to try to escape to a better future.
Thanks to NetGalley and Magnetic Press for a copy in return for an honest review.
howlinglibraries's review against another edition
5.0
Holy hell, this graphic novel memoir is powerful. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire thing, got choked up twice, and full-on sobbed near the end. I don't even think I can do this one justice in a review, because it honestly just hit me so hard, and even more to know that — in the author's own words — crossing the border in 1998 was nothing compared to the terror it has become in 2019.
Man. My heart hurts.
As a bonus, I adore Tony's art style — it's so unique and distinctly his own, and I highly recommend checking out anything he creates (but especially this).
Man. My heart hurts.
As a bonus, I adore Tony's art style — it's so unique and distinctly his own, and I highly recommend checking out anything he creates (but especially this).
gfox3737's review against another edition
5.0
Woah, this migrant comic is so good! Highly recommended.
meepelous's review
4.0
Tony Sandoval, also known as Antonio Sandoval, was born in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico and still has a blogspot site. As documented in this particular biographic comic, Tony crossed the USA Mexican border illegally in the 90s and now lives in Geneva Switzerland. He also goes under the username rain of doom on instagram, where he describes himself as a dude who likes to draw. And, finally, as outlined in his profile on Lion Forge "Tony’s first US book, Doomboy, was nominated for a 2015 Eisner Award for Best Publication for Teens, and was selected by several best of lists that year. He followed that success in 2016 with Eisner Award nominations for Best Multimedia Artist, as well as Glance Backward, which he illustrated."
Flipping over to the back, the official book synopsis is as follows (minus some hugely redundant parts due to this being autobio): Drawn by Love, [Tony Sandoval] urge to visit his American girlfriend can't wait for the lengthy, frustrating visa process standing in the way of their relationship. So he makes the ultimate romantic gesture: smuggling himself across the border, despite the dangers he ll face from the heat, coyotes, barbed wire, and most daunting the US border patrol."
As someone who has, since I've started forming my own opinions, only become more and more skeptical (to put it lightly) of the US (and now Canada too) immigration policies this kind of book did push some of my worry buttons initially. What if all the pro-border wall people just use this to talk about all the "bad" reasons a person might cross the border?? Needless to say that was kind of a stupid over-reaction on my part.
A deeply human story, Rendez-Vous in Pheonix is an interesting look back in time to what the US Mexican border was like in the 90s - how it is all too similar today and how it's changed for the much much worse. I feel like you are likely to take away from the book whatever you bring to it as far as condoning, or not, what Tony Sandoval did. As a pretty short and fast own voices read I do think it's a really important book to have around - even more so since the hype factory that tried to give us American Dirt I suppose.
I found the art style to be very expressive and engaging. I really liked the colour schemes and the page layouts were diverse but still pretty easy to follow.
Another review that's a bit more after-the-fact then I would like, I am almost positive no issues of sexuality or gender were really touched on besides Tony wanting to be united with his opposite sex partner. I feel like class could have been highlighted more, but who am I to say. Ability/Disability were not touched on at all either.
Flipping over to the back, the official book synopsis is as follows (minus some hugely redundant parts due to this being autobio): Drawn by Love, [Tony Sandoval] urge to visit his American girlfriend can't wait for the lengthy, frustrating visa process standing in the way of their relationship. So he makes the ultimate romantic gesture: smuggling himself across the border, despite the dangers he ll face from the heat, coyotes, barbed wire, and most daunting the US border patrol."
As someone who has, since I've started forming my own opinions, only become more and more skeptical (to put it lightly) of the US (and now Canada too) immigration policies this kind of book did push some of my worry buttons initially. What if all the pro-border wall people just use this to talk about all the "bad" reasons a person might cross the border?? Needless to say that was kind of a stupid over-reaction on my part.
A deeply human story, Rendez-Vous in Pheonix is an interesting look back in time to what the US Mexican border was like in the 90s - how it is all too similar today and how it's changed for the much much worse. I feel like you are likely to take away from the book whatever you bring to it as far as condoning, or not, what Tony Sandoval did. As a pretty short and fast own voices read I do think it's a really important book to have around - even more so since the hype factory that tried to give us American Dirt I suppose.
I found the art style to be very expressive and engaging. I really liked the colour schemes and the page layouts were diverse but still pretty easy to follow.
Another review that's a bit more after-the-fact then I would like, I am almost positive no issues of sexuality or gender were really touched on besides Tony wanting to be united with his opposite sex partner. I feel like class could have been highlighted more, but who am I to say. Ability/Disability were not touched on at all either.
anushanarasimhan's review
3.0
It was great to read a book that focusses on the border crossing. This is something I had no idea about and the book made me get a glimpse of what it is like and I felt emotionally connected to the main character. It kept me on edge and I was holding my breath to see when he'd reach the States safely.
Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. This has not influenced my review in any way.
Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. This has not influenced my review in any way.
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