Reviews tagging 'Outing'

Parallel by Matthias Lehmann

6 reviews

oddio's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0


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amazelan's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0

je pense que c'est important d'avoir ce genre d'histoires, parce que vivre en faisant partie des LGBT+ dans les années 50 et après c'était loin d'être facile (euphémisme), donc montrer ça c'est essentiel.

mais j'ai trouvé Karl vraiment horrible comme personnage, heureusement qu'il a des regrets au bout du compte. c'est un mauvais père et un mauvais mari mais tout est "excusé" par le fait que c'est dur pour lui d'être gay à cette époque, et nan déso ça prend pas avec moi, ça complique effectivement sa vie mais la façon de traiter sa femme et sa fille you could have done better quand même.

bref à part ça les dessins sont chouettes et ça se lit vite.

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indeedithappens's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75


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raix's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I liked the pacing created by the alternating timelines of past and present. 

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stitchbooks22's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

This book was a heartbreaking tale of a closeted gay man in Germany following the end of WWII. Such a powerful story.

However, it was hard to connect with the characters in the story. Also at times the art style made it difficult to know who the characters were and on occasion, when it had switched from a flashback to the present.

The concept for this story appealed to me, and the cover looks amazing. I really wanted to like it. But, I’m just not sure the story was executed as well as it could have been so it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. 

Thank you to NetGalley, ONI Press and Matthias Lehmann for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

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sara_m_martins's review against another edition

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sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

Parallel follows Karl in a dual timeline: just after WWII in a divided Germany, starting his parallel lives (marriage, kids VS being gay when it is a crime), and in his first months of retirement, in the 80s (fairly alone, estranged from his daughter). 
This is a very sad story. It is a story of a gay man in a time and place where it was illegal to be. There is a flicker of joy here and there and it ends in a more or less uplifting note, but overall it's quite depressing.  The characters are not loveable (except for one side character or two), they are complex and do as much bad stuff as they do good. But this makes it quite an unusual story to read. If you are looking for something to warm your heart I don't think this one is right for you. This one if for those that want an unusual queer tale from an unusual historical place and perspective.
The art style is quite monochrome and stark throughout, the colorfulness of the left side of the cover isn't present. 
Overall, this one wasn't outstanding for me - something never quite clicked correctly, but it was an interesting read.
TW: Homophobia (by individuals and police), outing, suicide of a side character

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and OniPress for this opportunity.

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