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literatehedgehog's review against another edition
Conflicted feelings on this one - is it an allegory or a fantasy/horror? It certainly raises important questions about what holds communities together, the existence of good vs evil, how people need to believe in something...but I'm not sure it answered its own questions adequately. Sure, you don't need to answer the Big Questions out there, but the ending tried to tie up some of those ideas, and I didn't buy its conclusions.
On the whole, unsettling in the good way of making you think and feel uncomfortable about those thoughts, but also unsettling in the bad way of a strange, not-quite-on-point wrapping up.
And spoiler question - was Peggy even real?
On the whole, unsettling in the good way of making you think and feel uncomfortable about those thoughts, but also unsettling in the bad way of a strange, not-quite-on-point wrapping up.
And spoiler question - was Peggy even real?
zorpblorp's review against another edition
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
thirdcoast's review against another edition
3.0
Temperance by Cathy Malkasian is a quirky graphic novel that explores the relationship between the concepts of war and security, and freedom and trust. The narrator is a tree, which has been fashioned into a wooden leg, and then later into a doll/child. The narrator tells the story of Pa, who is this mythical concept that infects people's minds. The people, spurred by the lies of his foster daughter, live enclosed into a fortress they call BlessedBowl. It's a ship on a sea of fire, but really it's a compound.
Pa is no longer there, but the people follow the words and stories of his daughter, Peggy. The story is surreal, and at times, heavy handed. The metaphor comes through fine, but it definitely seems like this is targeted toward a young audience. Maybe a reader between 8-12 would get more out of this work.
With a lighter hand, the artwork is simply wrought and beautiful. A dreamy quality instills the drawings and the lines are sharp and crisp.
Temperance is a graphic novel that tries something different, and for the most part, it succeeds.
Pa is no longer there, but the people follow the words and stories of his daughter, Peggy. The story is surreal, and at times, heavy handed. The metaphor comes through fine, but it definitely seems like this is targeted toward a young audience. Maybe a reader between 8-12 would get more out of this work.
With a lighter hand, the artwork is simply wrought and beautiful. A dreamy quality instills the drawings and the lines are sharp and crisp.
Temperance is a graphic novel that tries something different, and for the most part, it succeeds.
reginarex's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best graphic novels I've read in a long while.
crowyhead's review against another edition
3.0
What a weird and oddly beautiful book! This is one of those odd, absorbing books that leaves one a little confused. It feels somewhat allegorical, but perhaps it's more fable-like? There's a certain dream logic that leaves the reader grasping a bit, trying to determine what exactly has happened.
The basic plot is that a powerful tyrant known only as Pa convinces a large number of people that The Enemy is coming for them. In fear for their lives, several thousand people have sealed themselves into a stone ship known as BlessedBowl. But Pa went missing before it was sealed, leaving the survivors to create a society built on a lie.
I can't say I liked this entirely, but I also can't say I didn't. I found it fascinating but I also longed for some kind of author's notes about where the idea came from, or perhaps a scholarly afterword to interpret it for me...
The basic plot is that a powerful tyrant known only as Pa convinces a large number of people that The Enemy is coming for them. In fear for their lives, several thousand people have sealed themselves into a stone ship known as BlessedBowl. But Pa went missing before it was sealed, leaving the survivors to create a society built on a lie.
I can't say I liked this entirely, but I also can't say I didn't. I found it fascinating but I also longed for some kind of author's notes about where the idea came from, or perhaps a scholarly afterword to interpret it for me...
mobyskine's review against another edition
1.0
Pelik. Sangat-sangat pelik dan confusing sampai kadang-kadang aku rasa jalan ceritanya merepek dan meleret. Barangkali aku susah nak faham maksud tersirat tapi entahlah-- the story itself, memang dari awal dah mula dengan konflik yang tak masuk akal. Aku, mungkin termasuk dalam golongan sesetengah pembaca yang wonder macam mana buku ini boleh published.
starnosedmole's review against another edition
1.0
I somewhat understand why this is getting good press, but it was _not_ a work I enjoyed. The artwork was fairly repetitive, and I couldn't bring myself to care about the plot or any of the characters. Frankly, I'm a little surprised Fantagraphics published this.
balesnar's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Animal death, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Fatphobia and Fire/Fire injury