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danileighta's review against another edition
Crazy cool illustrations! If you love Tori Amos (or even if you don't really know her music), this book was a fun sampling of so many different illustration styles and writing. Great collection.
whisperingdelirium's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
grghdsn's review against another edition
4.0
This anthology is made up of more than 80 artists' interpretations of 51 of Amos' songs from each of her albums (barring Strange Little Girls). Rather than be literal interpretations of the lyrics, many of the stories here are at the very least simply inspired by. While some have seemingly no connection to the source, there are plenty here that will rekindle interest in some songs and even let you see some of the songs in a different light.
What's more is that these stories stand alone so that you don't have to be familiar with the original song to enjoy them.
The styles vary drastically from story to story, ranging from what seems to be crayon drawings (Pandora's Aquarium) to manga/anime (Siren) to lush, organic watercolor or oils (Toast, Honey). Amos has said she let the artists have free reign over their songs and styles, and it really shows as you make through the collection. The talent here is incredible.
Fans of Tori Amos will undoubtedly find some of their favorite songs here, and enough songs are left out to make you wonder if there will be another volume in the future.
Personal picks: Siren, Here. In My Head, Little Amsterdam, The Beekeeper, Scarlet's Walk
I'm not usually a big comic/graphic novel fan, but I might check out more from a few of these artists.
What's more is that these stories stand alone so that you don't have to be familiar with the original song to enjoy them.
The styles vary drastically from story to story, ranging from what seems to be crayon drawings (Pandora's Aquarium) to manga/anime (Siren) to lush, organic watercolor or oils (Toast, Honey). Amos has said she let the artists have free reign over their songs and styles, and it really shows as you make through the collection. The talent here is incredible.
Fans of Tori Amos will undoubtedly find some of their favorite songs here, and enough songs are left out to make you wonder if there will be another volume in the future.
Personal picks: Siren, Here. In My Head, Little Amsterdam, The Beekeeper, Scarlet's Walk
I'm not usually a big comic/graphic novel fan, but I might check out more from a few of these artists.
agentalpo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
nrphoto's review against another edition
3.0
I am not a big graphic novel reader. About the closest I ever came to reading comics as a kid was religiously watching X-Men and Spiderman and Friends on Saturday morning television. I briefly embraced the X-Men comic book at prodding from my friend Bart and his brother, but there were just too many stories. Too much history. Too many collectors editions and cards, and it was all just too much commitment for me at that young, fresh age. As an adult I have read exactly one graphic novel, one of the famous ones, and found it to be exceptionally mundane.
So obviously then, I read this book because I'm obsessed to an unhealthy extent with the music of Tori Amos, and so I must consume it in every way it is made available to me.
The book itself is beautiful. It's huge, and hefty, and the page stock is substantial enough to really display the art in these pages. As for the stories, I think it was a really interesting idea. Some of them are really beautiful, and some of them were really funny. I lot of them were prosaic and trite. I would have loved to have seen some more interpretive depictions. Taking a single metaphor from the lyric at random and building a story around isn't terribly interesting.
some of them were quite lovely. I thought Marianne was especially beautiful. despite any reservations, it was a nice way to spend a couple of hours, and the artwork is absolutely gorgeous. I really enjoyed looking at diversity in the artistic styles.
So obviously then, I read this book because I'm obsessed to an unhealthy extent with the music of Tori Amos, and so I must consume it in every way it is made available to me.
The book itself is beautiful. It's huge, and hefty, and the page stock is substantial enough to really display the art in these pages. As for the stories, I think it was a really interesting idea. Some of them are really beautiful, and some of them were really funny. I lot of them were prosaic and trite. I would have loved to have seen some more interpretive depictions. Taking a single metaphor from the lyric at random and building a story around isn't terribly interesting.
some of them were quite lovely. I thought Marianne was especially beautiful. despite any reservations, it was a nice way to spend a couple of hours, and the artwork is absolutely gorgeous. I really enjoyed looking at diversity in the artistic styles.
frogglodite's review against another edition
5.0
Flippin Amazing!!! That's all I can say... just... WOW. If you're a Tori Amos or Neil Gaiman fan (or both, like me), you need this book!
impybelle's review against another edition
4.0
I don't imagine anyone will have to sell this too hard to any Tori fans. Thing is, the sheer size of it might scare off your random types. Their loss.
I seriously doubt that given the sheer number of stories/songs presented, you'd be unable to find at least one you absolutely, completely, totally loved. Some seem to have painfully little to do with their song, and some are clearly influenced.
Personally, I wasn't always thrilled when lyrics would be used as actual dialog, but I will admit that some stories pulled it off beautifully.
I fell hardest for Toast, Devils and Gods, Little Amsterdam, and Snow Cherries From France. It would be far easier to list those I didn't like, but there's always hope that like the songs, the stories will grow on me.
I seriously doubt that given the sheer number of stories/songs presented, you'd be unable to find at least one you absolutely, completely, totally loved. Some seem to have painfully little to do with their song, and some are clearly influenced.
Personally, I wasn't always thrilled when lyrics would be used as actual dialog, but I will admit that some stories pulled it off beautifully.
I fell hardest for Toast, Devils and Gods, Little Amsterdam, and Snow Cherries From France. It would be far easier to list those I didn't like, but there's always hope that like the songs, the stories will grow on me.
byautumn's review against another edition
4.0
Some of the work in this book just blows my mind. Beautiful.
littleelfman's review against another edition
5.0
An incredible mix of comics that were sparked by Tori Amos songs. This book is great for anyone who likes Tori, likes comics, or plain likes good story and art rolled into one.