Reviews

Victory Parade by Leela Corman

carlyshoo's review

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

theoverbookedbibliophile's review

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

5.0

 *Many thanks to Pantheon Books for the gifted copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This book was published on April 02, 2024.*

Set in 1943, Victory Parade by Leela Corman is a brutal yet profoundly moving meditation on the horrors of war and trauma, the challenges faced by the women who contributed to the WWII effort back home while they waited for their men to return from the war front, Jewish refugees fleeing persecution and the physical and psychological scars left on those returning from home.

The narrative, presented in vivid watercolor, follows the cast of characters among whom are Rose, a married woman employed as a welder in Brooklyn who is involved in a relationship with a disabled veteran; Ruth, a German Jewish refugee taken in by Rose who finds a violent outlet to vent the simmering rage she harbors; and Sam, Rose’s husband who returns home destined to be haunted by visions of what he witnessed in the liberated concentration camps. Through haunting imagery illustrator Leela Corman presents their stories - perspectives from their past, present and beyond– real and surreal – cathartic, nightmarish and devastating.

Intense and dark yet brilliantly composed, this graphic novel is an experience that I would not hesitate to recommend to those who read WWII fiction.
 

nolansmock's review

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5.0

A total death trip and definitely one to revisit. Feels like diving into the void. Each panel is a painting all its own.

the_snicklefritz's review

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

4.5

prettyprincesscutie's review

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

4.0

sarahskorupa's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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