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A review by alisazhup
Juliet Takes a Breath: The Graphic Novel by Gabby Rivera
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This graphic novel needed to be longer... not because I enjoyed it so much that I wanted more, but because I was disappointed when I read this after the original version. The characters in this adaptation were somewhat underdeveloped. I also would've liked more dialogue. I get that it's a graphic novel so you have to cut the dialogue down some but maybe not this much? Aghhh :/
Why was Phen's personality changed so much? I feel like a jerk for saying this, but Phen needed to be a jerk to Juliet. It was important to her development.
I loved the complicated romantic polyamorous relationship between Maxine and Harlowe, so I was sad that in this version they were already broken up.
Juliet's mom was way to quick to change her mind about everything. There was no real leading up to it.
We never fully resolved the situation with Lainie.
What happened to Juliet and Kira's relationship after Juliet went home in this version?
Harlowe had maybe only 1 redeemable scene in this one. In the original you wanted to love her. Here she was sort of dislikable from the start.
In the original Maxine tells Juliet that there was nothing stopping her from speaking up for herself. I think that was an important piece as well and I wish it was included.
Juliet never answers the question about why she came to Portland in the first place.
Harlowe's transphobic belief that genitals = womanhood is never addressed.
We only get one scene with Harlowe after the situation at the reading. They needed to talk more about what happened, and the tense walk up to the river with Harlowe and Juliet was EVERYTHING.
The ending fell short too! The epilogue was fine. But originally Juliet struggled against the current until finally relaxing which was beautiful and symbolic.
I gave the original three stars. I also give this one three stars but for entirely different reasons. If you haven't read the original, I think you'll enjoy this. But if you have, you might feel like this one is rushed.
I loved the complicated romantic polyamorous relationship between Maxine and Harlowe, so I was sad that in this version they were already broken up.
Juliet's mom was way to quick to change her mind about everything. There was no real leading up to it.
We never fully resolved the situation with Lainie.
What happened to Juliet and Kira's relationship after Juliet went home in this version?
Harlowe had maybe only 1 redeemable scene in this one. In the original you wanted to love her. Here she was sort of dislikable from the start.
In the original Maxine tells Juliet that there was nothing stopping her from speaking up for herself. I think that was an important piece as well and I wish it was included.
Juliet never answers the question about why she came to Portland in the first place.
Harlowe's transphobic belief that genitals = womanhood is never addressed.
We only get one scene with Harlowe after the situation at the reading. They needed to talk more about what happened, and the tense walk up to the river with Harlowe and Juliet was EVERYTHING.
The ending fell short too! The epilogue was fine. But originally Juliet struggled against the current until finally relaxing which was beautiful and symbolic.
I gave the original three stars. I also give this one three stars but for entirely different reasons. If you haven't read the original, I think you'll enjoy this. But if you have, you might feel like this one is rushed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
Asthma attacks, cheating