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romafo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
readingbrb's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
Graphic: Animal death
Minor: Sexual content and Death
bibliobrandie's review against another edition
I just didn't get this. Too out there for me.
dembury's review against another edition
3.0
I feel slightly confused and partially awestruck and a little bit existential after finishing this.
Beautiful little illustrations and strange short stories that are very odd and sometimes satirical. It's honestly a little choppy, and weird, but- it worked. I would read more by Davis.
Beautiful little illustrations and strange short stories that are very odd and sometimes satirical. It's honestly a little choppy, and weird, but- it worked. I would read more by Davis.
preezilla's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
categj's review against another edition
4.0
The illustrations in How to Be Happy are amazing — the bold colours, the gorgeous linework — every page* is a delight to behold. I feel that the movement and emotion of Davis' artwork is the best part of this book.
Don't be fooled by the title or the gorgeous cover art — this book is NOT a guide book to happiness!
I found the stories quirky, weird and thought-provoking although I feel that I may have missed the point in many of the pieces. I definitely felt a lot of emotion as I was reading through this book — sadness, loneliness and hopelessness were the major feelings I experienced even as I marveled at the beautiful images. Perhaps that was the author's intent — to evoke an understanding of human longing, to find happiness, to belong.
All in all, I liked this book a lot. I feel that it is a book that I can revisit many times and experience a deeper understanding with each re-reading.
*well, almost every page — some, while exquisitely produced, were a little disconcerting — the fox tale comes to mind.
Don't be fooled by the title or the gorgeous cover art — this book is NOT a guide book to happiness!
I found the stories quirky, weird and thought-provoking although I feel that I may have missed the point in many of the pieces. I definitely felt a lot of emotion as I was reading through this book — sadness, loneliness and hopelessness were the major feelings I experienced even as I marveled at the beautiful images. Perhaps that was the author's intent — to evoke an understanding of human longing, to find happiness, to belong.
All in all, I liked this book a lot. I feel that it is a book that I can revisit many times and experience a deeper understanding with each re-reading.
*well, almost every page — some, while exquisitely produced, were a little disconcerting — the fox tale comes to mind.
coleycole's review against another edition
5.0
love the illustrations, love the stories/vignettes, love, love, love.
adenhailemariam's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 The push from a 3 to a 3.5/4 is that I adore the illustration styles and, immediately after finishing reading a digital version of this book, I wanted to purchase a physical copy to have somewhere in my house I can see all the time.
This *seems* like something I’d really like. I like sequential art and short stories. I keep thinking, though, that this and other books/collections I’ve read are a mashup of comic strips and short stories that don’t quite mesh. I’ve gotten a lot out of three-panel strips, to say nothing about what a one-panel comic can do. I own plenty of books collecting the work of my favorite webcomic artists. It feels sometimes like vignettes like those in this book don’t quite do what a comic strip or a comic book or graphic novel or a more plotted short story could do…but maybe that’s just it. Maybe it’s that they’re vignettes.
As other reviews have mentioned, the stories can be a bit too short, have little plot, or a plot or message that went over people’s heads. Still there were at least a few that were moving and relatable. A little too close to home, even. I enjoyed the illustration in all of them except the one about the fox that died but that’s more the content of the illustration rather than the style.
I imagine I’m going to be thinking about this book a lot even if just In the next couple days.
This *seems* like something I’d really like. I like sequential art and short stories. I keep thinking, though, that this and other books/collections I’ve read are a mashup of comic strips and short stories that don’t quite mesh. I’ve gotten a lot out of three-panel strips, to say nothing about what a one-panel comic can do. I own plenty of books collecting the work of my favorite webcomic artists. It feels sometimes like vignettes like those in this book don’t quite do what a comic strip or a comic book or graphic novel or a more plotted short story could do…but maybe that’s just it. Maybe it’s that they’re vignettes.
As other reviews have mentioned, the stories can be a bit too short, have little plot, or a plot or message that went over people’s heads. Still there were at least a few that were moving and relatable. A little too close to home, even. I enjoyed the illustration in all of them except the one about the fox that died but that’s more the content of the illustration rather than the style.
I imagine I’m going to be thinking about this book a lot even if just In the next couple days.
chaz_dickens's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0