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okayletsread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Julien recalls his worst mistakes and unsavory decisions when telling his unfiltered story to a reporter who slowly wins his trust. His story begins as a wealthy young pianist during WWII, and through a wild series of events, he later becomes a drugged-out famous pianist wishing for a different life. He frequently calls himself the villain of the story, but you can't help but root for him—and, more importantly, feel for him.
I don't have words for how well Felipe's storytelling fits with the visually stunning illustrations from Juan. A master creative duo! Everything from the emotional reveals to the color palette to the heartwrenching relational blunders, this book will stay with me for a very long time.
This was only on my radar because a book podcaster I listen to warned that it would "ruin all other graphic novels." While I haven't read many, she was 100% correct. It's only September, but this will likely be my favorite book of the year.
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Violence and War
alyc00per's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Antisemitism, Suicide attempt, and War
leonormsousa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Antisemitism, Medical content, Grief, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
aliwhaley's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It’s not ‘literature’ but it moved me kind of in the same way that Evelyn Hugo did, in the sense that it’s pacy and engaging but it has more to say than a romp like Heartstopper.
It’s about success, and what success means, envy, competitiveness, selfishness, love, sabotage, exploitation, and regret. There’s a huge sense of the difference between happiness and success.
It made me cry, I really enjoyed it. It’s just a really good story, and the art (especially the sex and drug induced art) is very original and cool. I think this pushed the limits (in the graphic novels I’ve read so far) of what a graphic novel can do, partly just by being a graphic novel clearly for adults, and partly by having the art be a reflection of the character’s experience rather than just a camera lens showing the literal scene
Graphic: Drug abuse
Moderate: Genocide, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Suicide attempt, and War