crookedtreehouse's review against another edition
2.0
The graphic novel equivalent of a Hollywood movie about musicians. Hit all the important biographical bullet points, strip away any semblance of real emotions and replace them with familiar story beats, and voila. It's a story you've seen/read hundreds of times before but now it's about a different celebrity.
The art is an interesting balance of manga, 21st century Eurostyle art, and non-traditional panel breaking. But the story rarely feels like it has earned Dizin and Reist's art.
I don't know who to recommend it to. Not because it's awful, but because I think it's divisive. Some Buckley fans will be glad a graphic novel based on his life exists, some will wish it was a more complex look at him. Those unfamiliar with Buckley but who like graphic novels, might decide to pick up the album, others won't find enough of the album's charm to hold their interest.
The art is an interesting balance of manga, 21st century Eurostyle art, and non-traditional panel breaking. But the story rarely feels like it has earned Dizin and Reist's art.
I don't know who to recommend it to. Not because it's awful, but because I think it's divisive. Some Buckley fans will be glad a graphic novel based on his life exists, some will wish it was a more complex look at him. Those unfamiliar with Buckley but who like graphic novels, might decide to pick up the album, others won't find enough of the album's charm to hold their interest.
ohemgee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
ankysbookbubble's review against another edition
2.0
Starting off with the positives, the graphics were awesome! I loved all the artwork, especially the ones that overlapped each other.
But the story itself did not interest me much. I guess I was expecting something more... polished? And it felt as if everything was rushed. Half of the time, it took me a minute to realise that the characters have changed, and so has the place.
All in all, I loved the graphics, but I didn't care much for the story.
But the story itself did not interest me much. I guess I was expecting something more... polished? And it felt as if everything was rushed. Half of the time, it took me a minute to realise that the characters have changed, and so has the place.
All in all, I loved the graphics, but I didn't care much for the story.
calistareads's review against another edition
4.0
This is the biography in graphic novel form of Jeff Buckley. I didn't really know much of his music. He had one acclaimed album, but I know his song, "Hallelujah". It is such a powerful song that goes right to your soul and sticks there. It has been two decades and I still love hearing that song.
He seemed to be a real talent. From this story, he was struggling as to what and how he was going to evolve on his second album. He was going to a harder sound from what they relay here. He was very interesting and obviously very talented. It is very sad that his time was cut short and he didn't get to evolve as an artist and to see what he could do.
His dad was also a singer, but Jeff didn't even know him and hated being compared to him. He seemed uncomfortable with fame. I thought the night he died swimming in the Mississippi river was a one time thing, but according to this story, he swam in that river often. I think he was swimming between the shore and mud island, but still... I have always been told as we would cross that river that is was a very dangerous and violent river and you could never swim in it. People drown in it all the time. I can't believe Jeff would swim in it.
He would get hot and go for a swim in the Mississippi without thinking. He must not have heard how dangerous the river was. He went swimming one time too many. He seemed very happy and upbeat the last night, according to the story. He was about to go into the studio. It really is sad what happened.
Some people have a way of illuminating the soul for all the rest of us and blowing on it to glow bright in the face of our day to day life. I think Jeff, when he chose, had this special gift. Thankfully, he left us one glorious album to remember him by.
This was very well done and I highly recommend it.
He seemed to be a real talent. From this story, he was struggling as to what and how he was going to evolve on his second album. He was going to a harder sound from what they relay here. He was very interesting and obviously very talented. It is very sad that his time was cut short and he didn't get to evolve as an artist and to see what he could do.
His dad was also a singer, but Jeff didn't even know him and hated being compared to him. He seemed uncomfortable with fame. I thought the night he died swimming in the Mississippi river was a one time thing, but according to this story, he swam in that river often. I think he was swimming between the shore and mud island, but still... I have always been told as we would cross that river that is was a very dangerous and violent river and you could never swim in it. People drown in it all the time. I can't believe Jeff would swim in it.
He would get hot and go for a swim in the Mississippi without thinking. He must not have heard how dangerous the river was. He went swimming one time too many. He seemed very happy and upbeat the last night, according to the story. He was about to go into the studio. It really is sad what happened.
Some people have a way of illuminating the soul for all the rest of us and blowing on it to glow bright in the face of our day to day life. I think Jeff, when he chose, had this special gift. Thankfully, he left us one glorious album to remember him by.
This was very well done and I highly recommend it.
jackelz's review against another edition
4.0
The art and the story in this graphic novel are beautiful. It is a very basic biography, but also tells enough of the story for someone like me that knew nothing about Jeff Buckley before reading this.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
stephaknee's review against another edition
4.0
Tiffanie DeBartolo is one of my favorite authors of all time. While the format of this novel is a departure from her earlier works, her talent continues to shine through.
Reading a graphic novel, was a truly unique way to consume a memoir. A long time Jeff Buckley fan, I have always wanted to know more about his life, and how he got started in the music world. While this novel did not entirely satisfy my curiosity, it was highly engaging. Most of the information felt familiar, but there were some new and interesting facts sprinkled throughout. I also found that the vividly detailed graphics, added emotional depth and intrigue, to an otherwise simplified plot.
Perfect for fans who want an emotional, yet uncomplicated, peek into the life and times of the extremely talented Mr. Buckley.
Reading a graphic novel, was a truly unique way to consume a memoir. A long time Jeff Buckley fan, I have always wanted to know more about his life, and how he got started in the music world. While this novel did not entirely satisfy my curiosity, it was highly engaging. Most of the information felt familiar, but there were some new and interesting facts sprinkled throughout. I also found that the vividly detailed graphics, added emotional depth and intrigue, to an otherwise simplified plot.
Perfect for fans who want an emotional, yet uncomplicated, peek into the life and times of the extremely talented Mr. Buckley.
booksuperpower's review against another edition
4.0
Grace: Based on the Jeff Buckley Story by Tiffanie DeBartolo is a 2019 First Second publication.
I have never read a standard biography about Jeff Buckley, and I can’t claim to be a rabid fan. But, of course, I am very familiar of his haunting version of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah”, and I knew he was the son of folk singer, Tim Buckley, and that Jeff died young in a freak accident. Beyond that, I couldn’t have told you much else.
I do read my fair share of music memoirs and biographies, but this is the first one I have read in a Graphic Novel format. The story pretty much sticks to the basics, so for diehard fans the book may not cover much new territory. However, even if the story is familiar to you, the outstanding illustrations truly bring out an amazing amount of depth and emotion you most likely would not experience in a standard text only biography.
The writing is a bit simplistic, but I’m thinking this book might be a learning tool as well, perhaps to entice YA readers as well as older fans.
Jeff’s life was cut short, and he was always a bit of an enigma, so this book certainly will give readers a little more insight into his life and the artist behind the music. I enjoyed the experience of reading this book, and learning more about Jeff, and of course it has inspired me to revisit Jeff’s music, hearing it from a new perspective now.
I recommend this one for anyone who loves music, biographies or Graphic Novels.
I have never read a standard biography about Jeff Buckley, and I can’t claim to be a rabid fan. But, of course, I am very familiar of his haunting version of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah”, and I knew he was the son of folk singer, Tim Buckley, and that Jeff died young in a freak accident. Beyond that, I couldn’t have told you much else.
I do read my fair share of music memoirs and biographies, but this is the first one I have read in a Graphic Novel format. The story pretty much sticks to the basics, so for diehard fans the book may not cover much new territory. However, even if the story is familiar to you, the outstanding illustrations truly bring out an amazing amount of depth and emotion you most likely would not experience in a standard text only biography.
The writing is a bit simplistic, but I’m thinking this book might be a learning tool as well, perhaps to entice YA readers as well as older fans.
Jeff’s life was cut short, and he was always a bit of an enigma, so this book certainly will give readers a little more insight into his life and the artist behind the music. I enjoyed the experience of reading this book, and learning more about Jeff, and of course it has inspired me to revisit Jeff’s music, hearing it from a new perspective now.
I recommend this one for anyone who loves music, biographies or Graphic Novels.
katroseknibbs's review against another edition
3.0
Jeff Buckley, son of musician Tim Buckley, has spent his life hearing about how he looks just like his father. Sounds just like his father. Tim Buckley 2.0. But that’s not what Jeff wants. He has his own style, his own sound that is powerful on its own, without the legacy of the father that he never knew. In Grace, we are given Jeff Buckley’s own story, from his humble beginnings in California to his successful first (and only) album to his final tragic evening. When I started this graphic novel, I had no idea who Jeff Buckley was. Or his father. And unfortunately, I still feel like I don’t. Something was definitely missing for me out of this story. I know it’s hard to cram someone’s life into a brief graphic novel, but I’ve read other biographic ones that I think did a much better job. I did love the art though. The various styles that were used in different panels was a nice touch. I also loved how Dixon depicted Jeff when he was particularly passionate about something. You could truly feel his emotions through the pages. I just wish I was offered a bit more on Jeff’s life. I came away from this still missing a lot of pieces. Maybe his fans will find more to appreciate than I did. Thanks to NetGalley and First Second for the eARC.