fazington's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
highlandsbooks's review against another edition
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Death of parent
wouldyoulovemeifiwasabookworm's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jmbz38's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
kat703's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ddiazmoron's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- 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
milkshakevoid's review against another edition
5.0
Valerie’s mother is the worst. She’s a controlling parent whose messed up relationship with perfection, food, and the importance of other peoples opinions leads her daughter to self hatred and disordered eating.
This book was hard to read because of the content. The self hatred, doubt, mental health struggles, death, and the disorder at the center of it all. At the same time it was full of acceptance, self love, hope, and friendships.
The heavy nature of this book is buoyed by the absolutely gorgeous illustrations and colors. It was beautiful to absorb and experience. Visually stunning.
Obviously there are some significant trigger warnings with this one but if it’s something you can read after acknowledging that, you should. Outstanding!
This book was hard to read because of the content. The self hatred, doubt, mental health struggles, death, and the disorder at the center of it all. At the same time it was full of acceptance, self love, hope, and friendships.
The heavy nature of this book is buoyed by the absolutely gorgeous illustrations and colors. It was beautiful to absorb and experience. Visually stunning.
Obviously there are some significant trigger warnings with this one but if it’s something you can read after acknowledging that, you should. Outstanding!
milkshakevoid's review
5.0
Valerie’s mother is the worst. She’s a controlling parent whose messed up relationship with perfection, food, and the importance of other peoples opinions leads her daughter to self hatred and disordered eating.
This book was hard to read because of the content. The self hatred, doubt, mental health struggles, death, and the disorder at the center of it all. At the same time it was full of acceptance, self love, hope, and friendships.
The heavy nature of this book is buoyed by the absolutely gorgeous illustrations and colors. It was beautiful to absorb and experience. Visually stunning.
Obviously there are some significant trigger warnings with this one but if it’s something you can read after acknowledging that, you should. Outstanding!
This book was hard to read because of the content. The self hatred, doubt, mental health struggles, death, and the disorder at the center of it all. At the same time it was full of acceptance, self love, hope, and friendships.
The heavy nature of this book is buoyed by the absolutely gorgeous illustrations and colors. It was beautiful to absorb and experience. Visually stunning.
Obviously there are some significant trigger warnings with this one but if it’s something you can read after acknowledging that, you should. Outstanding!
riskapoetryayu's review against another edition
5.0
Hungry Ghost merupakan sebuah graphic novel yg mengambil tema mental health lebih tepatnya eating disorder.
Val sedari kecil di didik oleh ibunya untuk tidak memakan makanan berlemak dan tinggi kalori, bahkan di acara penting seperti ulang tahun dan perayaan besar pun ibunya melarang Val untuk memakan hidangan yg ada, ibunya selalu berpesan “jangan dimakan semua, cukup cicipi saja”
Hal itu membuat Val tumbuh menjadi wanita yg tidak bisa mencintai dan menerima tubuhnya apa adanya. Ia ingin terlihat kurus dan ideal dimata orang karna ia pikir jika ia kurus maka orang-orang akan melihatnya cantik dan dicintai.
Namun Val jg tak bisa terus-terusan tidak makan atau jajan bersama teman-temannya, hingga akhirnya ia memutuskan untuk selalu memuntahkan semua yg ia makan setelah menyantap suatu hidangan. Entah dirumah, disekolah atau dimanapun ia makan, Val akan memuntahkannya setelah dimakan.
Dilain sisi, sahabat Val bernama Jordan memiliki badan yg lebih gemuk dan tidak peduli dengan tubuhnya atau apa yg dia makan, berbanding terbalik dengan Val. Hal ini membuat Val bertanya-tanya kenapa dia tidak bisa hidup seperti Jordan yg bebas makan apapun dan tidak peduli mau kurus atau gemuk, Jordan terlihat bahagia dan dicintai orang-orang.
Buku ini mengajarkan kita untuk mencintai diri kita apa adanya, saling terbuka dengan orang terdekat kita tentang apa yg kita inginkan sesungguhnya dan lebih mengerti bahwa cara menunjukkan rasa cinta tiap orang itu berbeda. Oh iya dalam buku ini juga terdapat dealing with grief yg dialami oleh keluarga Val.
Karna ini graphic novel, tentunya sangat cepat untuk diselesaikan. Aku suka banget sama ceritanya, ilustrasinya pun bagus dan cantik.
mckellstar's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5
Thank you to Net Galley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I love discovering new authors - especially new graphic novel creators- and I'm really glad I gave this book a go!
I think Victoria Ying did an excellent job at capturing the feelings of shame and guilt throughout the majority of this graphic novel. This is a very sensitive topic for many, and I think she handled it thoughtfully and gracefully.
I do wish we had gotten a bit more insight into her relationship with her mother, but I also think it made sense that we only got a brief glimpse because of where Valerie is on her journey. I also thought the resolution came pretty quickly; if the book had been a tad longer, I think this would have been able to wrap up more naturally and feel less rushed.
I read this on my Kobo in black and white, so I'd be interested to see the artwork in colour because a few panels were a little confusing to me (like the blank speech bubbles for texts or social media messages and there was a weird jump in time at one point where I had no idea we had jumped forward at all from what was in the art). But, I still enjoyed the story, and I'd be interested in reading more from this author!
Thank you to Net Galley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I love discovering new authors - especially new graphic novel creators- and I'm really glad I gave this book a go!
I think Victoria Ying did an excellent job at capturing the feelings of shame and guilt throughout the majority of this graphic novel. This is a very sensitive topic for many, and I think she handled it thoughtfully and gracefully.
I do wish we had gotten a bit more insight into her relationship with her mother, but I also think it made sense that we only got a brief glimpse because of where Valerie is on her journey. I also thought the resolution came pretty quickly; if the book had been a tad longer, I think this would have been able to wrap up more naturally and feel less rushed.
I read this on my Kobo in black and white, so I'd be interested to see the artwork in colour because a few panels were a little confusing to me (like the blank speech bubbles for texts or social media messages and there was a weird jump in time at one point where I had no idea we had jumped forward at all from what was in the art). But, I still enjoyed the story, and I'd be interested in reading more from this author!