nick_jenkins's review against another edition
3.0
This would have been much better if it had been longer. I have no idea why Goldstein decided to truncate what is obviously a much more fully imagined and interesting world.
angelofthe0dd's review against another edition
4.0
This short graphic novel is set in a post-apocalyptic world, but it could be set anywhere the line between life and death is a fine one. The theme of the book is: there are two kinds of people in world (with respect to living day to day). There are those that are willing to become worker bees in a large collective. Their lives have no meaning outside of their contribution to the rulers of the hive and the continuation of the hive as an artificial human ecosystem. For worker bees, the emptiness of their lives is an inner, bitter pain. But, their masters have a remedy - food and distraction! The hive is hard-wired with 1000s of media outlets to help chase away the thoughts of what does it mean to live.
On the other hand, there are some who do not want to be in the hive. They want to live out their lives the way all other animals do: scratching out a living from the Earth, trying to stay one step ahead of death each and every day. For them, there are no distractions. They want the question of life to stare them directly in the eyes. They're willing to trade modern comforts in exchange for the feeling of independence and having control over their fates. They write the story of their lives - for better or worse.
On the other hand, there are some who do not want to be in the hive. They want to live out their lives the way all other animals do: scratching out a living from the Earth, trying to stay one step ahead of death each and every day. For them, there are no distractions. They want the question of life to stare them directly in the eyes. They're willing to trade modern comforts in exchange for the feeling of independence and having control over their fates. They write the story of their lives - for better or worse.
pathfinder's review against another edition
den va allt den skulle vara! Intressant kort berättelse, framför allt så bra upplaga och tydliga paneler och lättläst och koncis. en glimt av en värld :)
dawnoftheread's review against another edition
5.0
http://www.unshelved.com/bookclub/2015-12-4#9781935233336
_morgreads's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
zepysgirl's review against another edition
3.0
Not quite sure what to feel about this one. Wasn’t what I was expecting at all.
elturko64's review against another edition
4.0
The Oven is a post-apocalyptic/climate change comic about a young couple who want to make a baby as the earth is continuously heating up. The title 'The Oven' has a double meaning with both climate change and having a child which I thought was pretty cleaver. The art has a minimalist feel to it, yet there are times where Sophie really pulls her weight and shows us some cool images. The characters feel real yet the story was short. I wish the plot kept going because it felt like it abruptly ended. Still this was a cool indie comic that I really enjoyed and I think it's worth checking out.
steps's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
eat_a_tron's review against another edition
5.0
The best comic of 2015 took me ten minutes to read. A short little dystopian story absolutely jam-packed with relationship themes. Sad, but hopeful? Probably just sad.
shamfeldt's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0