robertrivasplata's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A more recent comic collection by Tomine. Since I read Killing & Dying right after Summer Blonde, I necessarily compare the two. This collection is much more stylistically & artistically diverse than the earlier one. “Hortisculpture”is done in the style of a newspaper comic (or maybe the style of a Chris Ware or Daniel Clowes comic done in the style of a newspaper comic); “Intruders” has more of a Noir aesthetic. “Go Owls” & “Translated from the Japanese” are the stories that leave me the most wondering what was going on, although the mystery is definitely more straightforward in “Owls” (& part of me wonders if we are supposed to think the Dad did not actually see his daughter bomb at the open mic in “Killing & Dying”). The panels in most of these stories are usually smaller & feel busier than the earlier Tomine stories I've read. Unlike with the stories in Summer Blonde, I doubt anyone is going to wonder if these stories are autobiographical, although I suspect that “Hortisculpture” & “Translated From the Japanese” might actually be.
acetokki99's review against another edition
3.0
Characters: This was a selection of characters that felt and read like real people. I don’t mean a relatable chosen one, I’m talking about the girl you walked by to get to class and you can’t really remember her face (you certainly don’t know her name) but if her picture were on the news you’d squint at it for a second. It was honesty refreshing to read from these people. It felt mote personal and I liked that, even if they were boring people I didn’t care about. -3
Atmosphere: The book definitely had a vibe like the coffee shop comics I used to get beside my hot chocolate when I was kid. The Sunday morning strip read before Church. It’s not the kind of graphic novel I typically reach for but I was thoroughly pleased with the mood of this read. -5
Substance: I can’t think of one of these stories that had a complete story arch. There was a lack of background, character building, resolve, and endings. This missing bit definitely added to the feeling that you were reading a moment of someone else’s life and only that moment. The stories could be dull but the ideas were always great. A college student that finds out she has a porn star doppelgänger, or a man that grieves his loss and breaks into the apartment that was once his to make a meal and feel at home. My favorite story was the Translated one, it felt the most sacred and real. -2
Enjoyment: I did like this read. Would I have loved to have a little more on every front? Yes. At the end of the day, I had a good time but wouldn’t necessarily recommend it. -3
Total:13
13 / 4 = 3.5
Atmosphere: The book definitely had a vibe like the coffee shop comics I used to get beside my hot chocolate when I was kid. The Sunday morning strip read before Church. It’s not the kind of graphic novel I typically reach for but I was thoroughly pleased with the mood of this read. -5
Substance: I can’t think of one of these stories that had a complete story arch. There was a lack of background, character building, resolve, and endings. This missing bit definitely added to the feeling that you were reading a moment of someone else’s life and only that moment. The stories could be dull but the ideas were always great. A college student that finds out she has a porn star doppelgänger, or a man that grieves his loss and breaks into the apartment that was once his to make a meal and feel at home. My favorite story was the Translated one, it felt the most sacred and real. -2
Enjoyment: I did like this read. Would I have loved to have a little more on every front? Yes. At the end of the day, I had a good time but wouldn’t necessarily recommend it. -3
Total:13
13 / 4 = 3.5
curiousmustard's review against another edition
4.0
Each story is a glimpse into the lives of different people, capturing emotions (melancholy, embarrassment, self-loathing) so well. I only wish there'd been more stories!
gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition
3.0
I went into this with not the highest expectations but still relatively up there. I got the impression that this was going to be a collection of thought-provoking short stories, with a literary fiction feel in graphic novel form. For the most part, I didn't get that and was underwhelmed and a bit bored.
I especially felt underwhelmed by the first story: Hortisculpture, because I didn't care about anything or had a connection and felt like Harold turned into an incredibly dislikeable character.
I don't know why Killing and Dying got the graced honor of being the title of the collection because I found it to be rather dull, boring and awkward. Intruders was mediocore, but I liked the interesting concept it explored and choice in colour scheme. I liked the muted and dull colours of The Owls and it took a sad turn with topics including alcohol/drug/domestic abuse. It expressed these themes wonderfully in such a thoughtful way, with so little words and so little time and had the most depth out of all of the stories I think.
Out of all 6 short stories, I only thoroughly enjoyed Amber Sweet and TRANSLATED, from the JAPANESE, the former being my ultimate preference. I will say I was left a bit perplexed by the ending of TRANSLATED and had a strange collection of emotions. However I did enjoy its more completed looking art style (by which I mean fully coloured and definite shapes and pen strokes, etc) and loved the way it was written. I really enjoyed Amber Sweet despite its simplicity, but it was a rather unique idea and the storytelling was quite peaceful and pleasantly normal, despite the situation. Again, I enjoyed the colour, but the story ended a bit abruptly.
Overall, it was a decent and quiet read, with beautiful illustrations and is certainly a gorgeously published book. Unfortunately I was just left pretty disappointed with the quality of stories we got as a whole and didn't enjoy that there were a few race driven jokes or throw away sentences. I loved all the different styles of art expressed for each story, but wish they all left me feeling something more.
Pick or up, give it a go and enjoy! ^^
Gén
I especially felt underwhelmed by the first story: Hortisculpture, because I didn't care about anything or had a connection and felt like Harold turned into an incredibly dislikeable character.
I don't know why Killing and Dying got the graced honor of being the title of the collection because I found it to be rather dull, boring and awkward. Intruders was mediocore, but I liked the interesting concept it explored and choice in colour scheme. I liked the muted and dull colours of The Owls and it took a sad turn with topics including alcohol/drug/domestic abuse. It expressed these themes wonderfully in such a thoughtful way, with so little words and so little time and had the most depth out of all of the stories I think.
Out of all 6 short stories, I only thoroughly enjoyed Amber Sweet and TRANSLATED, from the JAPANESE, the former being my ultimate preference. I will say I was left a bit perplexed by the ending of TRANSLATED and had a strange collection of emotions. However I did enjoy its more completed looking art style (by which I mean fully coloured and definite shapes and pen strokes, etc) and loved the way it was written. I really enjoyed Amber Sweet despite its simplicity, but it was a rather unique idea and the storytelling was quite peaceful and pleasantly normal, despite the situation. Again, I enjoyed the colour, but the story ended a bit abruptly.
Overall, it was a decent and quiet read, with beautiful illustrations and is certainly a gorgeously published book. Unfortunately I was just left pretty disappointed with the quality of stories we got as a whole and didn't enjoy that there were a few race driven jokes or throw away sentences. I loved all the different styles of art expressed for each story, but wish they all left me feeling something more.
Pick or up, give it a go and enjoy! ^^
Gén
coleyreads's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
madwlf's review against another edition
4.0
Tomine is a fantastic artist and storyteller. I enjoyed each of these stories and the corresponding art. I found these to be tiny examinations of difficult topics and feelings linked to different kinds of "deaths." Loved it.
giancarlo's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
indeedithappens's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
francoisvigneault's review against another edition
5.0
A collection of stories that is my fave Tomine in years. His art and writing both seem to have gotten looser and more playful, a welcome respite from what had become a perhaps-too-perfectionist and stiff style. These stories are emotional and elegant but also often fun and laugh-out-loud funny. Really great stuff.
wayward's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75