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lostinfrance's review against another edition
3.0
I only gave it three stars because the drawings were well drawn. The story? Ugh. I love Mexico....I loved that it was in Spanish. The actual story line? BORING....unrealistic... annoying. I HATED the main character. She had all of that crap going on around and never spoke up? Used a guy for his apartment? Etc. Bad. I was really disappointed.
gggallin's review against another edition
1.0
I bet this would be a really interesting glimpse into Mexican culture if the protagonist wasn't so distractingly unbearable.
lsparrow's review against another edition
3.0
I found this graphic novel interesting for many reasons - I enjoyed the discussion of ideology of identity and finding oneself. I also liked the fact that the story does not end neatly
elleryquinn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I thought this was a biography at first because the events seemed so realistic and plausible. Loved the Spanish lessons as well.
jpark414's review against another edition
2.0
I should be better about liking flawed protags. But giiiirlllll
saidtheraina's review against another edition
3.0
I can't really believe I'm only reading this now, especially since GN travelogues are one of my purported interests. For the first half of the book I had the impression that it was barely fictionalized autobiography, but soon figured out that it's a more fully invented true graphic novel. This is the story of a girl trying to imbed herself in the culture of Mexico. She is half-Mexican, but barely speaks the language when she goes to "visit" a former fling and "forgets" to make her flight out of the country. In getting to know the native people in Mexico, she becomes involved with some shady characters. I particularly appreciated this story at the end - it becomes clear that this is not just another day-to-day recounting of a rather humdrum stint as an expat, but a plotted out novel with a beginning middle and end. Great stuff. I got slightly annoyed with the language (although I appreciate the coolness of her technique) because I know just enough Spanish to try to translate on my own, and flip to the (very thorough) glossary constantly, so it took me out of the story. Also her illustration style is along the lines of what I like, but is more crowded than other cartoonists I like. I did appreciate all the reflections on what it means to choose to adopt an unfamiliar level of privilege and be an expat in a needy country. Good stuff.
booklywookly's review against another edition
2.0
Review by Prateek - @BooklyWookly on Instagram
"La Perdida" by Jessica Abel is a graphic novel that delves into the life of Carla, a young American woman who embarks on a soul-searching adventure to Mexico, seeking her cultural roots and identity. Think of it as an exploration of the complexities of belonging and the clash between cultures, and the consequences of naiveté in a foreign land.
"La Perdida" by Jessica Abel is a graphic novel that delves into the life of Carla, a young American woman who embarks on a soul-searching adventure to Mexico, seeking her cultural roots and identity. Think of it as an exploration of the complexities of belonging and the clash between cultures, and the consequences of naiveté in a foreign land.
Carla’s character development is both relatable and profound, as she grapples with her own misconceptions and the harsh realities of Mexican life. Abel doesn’t shy away from addressing the challenges and prejudices that Carla faces as an outsider in Mexico. The novel delves into themes of identity, privilege, and cultural appropriation, making it a thought-provoking and timely read.
Carla’s journey of self-discovery in Mexico is an intriguing premise. Yet, the character development is shallow, and Carla’s transformation feels rushed and at times, forced. Also, pretty clear that Carla is just plain stupid and anyone can make a fool of her. And everyone did. The supporting cast also lacks depth, and their actions are often inconsistent, making it challenging to empathize with their experiences. Some may say even very “stereotypical Mexican from white person’s eyes”. That could be problematic.
The pacing of the story is uneven, with some parts feeling rushed while others drag on, leading to an inconsistent reading experience. The use of Spanish phrases and cultural references, while authentic, may alienate readers who are not familiar with the language and culture, creating a barrier to understanding.
Jessica Abel is the writer as well as the drawing artist, and I rarely see such combo anymore as usually they are two different people. I wanted to love it but the colorless drawing and blunt pencil strokes is just, meh. The cover is gorgeous though.
Anyway, the story’s execution leaves much to be desired. A could have been good graphic novel that missed its opportunity to delve deeper into the themes it introduces. While it touches on important subjects like cultural appropriation and privilege, it fails to explore them comprehensively.
rachelhelps's review against another edition
2.0
A graphic novel about a woman who goes to live in Mexico to get in touch with her Mexican heritage. I'm interested in the material, but I felt like the story was more plot-oriented than culture-oriented. I also learned some Spanish swears, which I guess is useful?
rebeccacider's review against another edition
3.0
Art, dialogue, and evocation of a place - great! But the ending was disappointing. Instead of leaving us with a complex character or even a complex image of Mexico City, it's rather flat and melodramatic.
uosdwisrdewoh's review against another edition
3.0
Jessica Abel skillfully tells the somewhat frustrating story of Carla, an American ex-pat in Mexico City who slowly gets trapped by that city's darker side.
I enjoy a book with flawed, realistic characters, but this one takes that almost too far. We watch Carla make one bad decision after another, and alienating one friend after another, and willfully refusing to see the mounting evidence in front of her face that her life is going off the edge, all in an close-minded attempt to be more authentically Mexican. At the end, she wonders at what point she could have changed things. Maybe at the several points when her former friends told her that her new friends (who she saw as authentic Mexicans) were actually lowlifes, but she didn't believe them?
In a way, Carla reminds me of those people everyone knows. She means well and can be too stubborn for her own good. She's recognizably human, but she's still a recognizably frustrating human to spend time with.
A lot of the problems of the plot are alleviated by Jessica Abel's fantastic visual storytelling abilities. Abel gets Mexico City just right, from the gardens of Xochimilco to the Torre Latinoamericano. Never does anything ring false. If only the characters that walk through this city were a bit more enjoyable to read about.
I enjoy a book with flawed, realistic characters, but this one takes that almost too far. We watch Carla make one bad decision after another, and alienating one friend after another, and willfully refusing to see the mounting evidence in front of her face that her life is going off the edge, all in an close-minded attempt to be more authentically Mexican. At the end, she wonders at what point she could have changed things. Maybe at the several points when her former friends told her that her new friends (who she saw as authentic Mexicans) were actually lowlifes, but she didn't believe them?
In a way, Carla reminds me of those people everyone knows. She means well and can be too stubborn for her own good. She's recognizably human, but she's still a recognizably frustrating human to spend time with.
A lot of the problems of the plot are alleviated by Jessica Abel's fantastic visual storytelling abilities. Abel gets Mexico City just right, from the gardens of Xochimilco to the Torre Latinoamericano. Never does anything ring false. If only the characters that walk through this city were a bit more enjoyable to read about.