mat_tobin's review against another edition
5.0
It took me multiple reading to enjoy this as much as I do now and, ultimately, fully interpret what I think the story is sharing with us. As always with both Gary Crew AND Shaun Tan, I need a bit of warming up to appreciate them so this took an evening of close reading to glean some understanding.
Tristan is, for me, a symbol of all that is right and wrong with the human condition. We are endlessly curious, we try to fix things that are better left alone and we often don't know when to stop. These conditions of Tristan are, ultimately, what cause his problem at the story's end and, within each viewer, what is illustrated about man's progress in history. War, Destruction, Progress, Science have led us to new discoveries and yet, equally, have led to our downfall.
This is a highly accomplished picturebook for older children and one that could provoke endless creative opportunities in the classroom (the irony!). I thought it was excellent and know that, as with all Tan's work, more will come from it through sharing with others.
Tristan is, for me, a symbol of all that is right and wrong with the human condition. We are endlessly curious, we try to fix things that are better left alone and we often don't know when to stop. These conditions of Tristan are, ultimately, what cause his problem at the story's end and, within each viewer, what is illustrated about man's progress in history. War, Destruction, Progress, Science have led us to new discoveries and yet, equally, have led to our downfall.
This is a highly accomplished picturebook for older children and one that could provoke endless creative opportunities in the classroom (the irony!). I thought it was excellent and know that, as with all Tan's work, more will come from it through sharing with others.
noshyira's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
joanna27's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
ubalstecha's review against another edition
4.0
A creapy, mysterious, horror picture book. Not for little kids.
asterionsiren's review
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jennybeastie's review against another edition
1.0
I think it is an effective book, but way to creepy for me.
oxnard_montalvo's review against another edition
4.0
REALLLLLY dark. Baby's first horror story. Honestly not sure who the target audience is (although I kind of hate the term and ideas behind 'target audience' so well done for refusing to conform, book), because the premise of the story seems to be "I stared at the abyss and the abyss stared back." Read if you want your child to have an existential crisis before bed.
ariereads's review against another edition
3.0
Eerie, dark little story with a wonderfully subtle look back at history through Shaun Tan's fantastic illustrations. I loved the not-so-happy ending...