Reviews

Animal Crackers by Gene Luen Yang

saidtheraina's review

Go to review page

3.0

I just loved [b:American Born Chinese|118944|American Born Chinese|Gene Luen Yang|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171765431s/118944.jpg|114515] so I was a little disappointed in this earlier work. It's a wacky story, with magic realism and sci-fi elements. I mean - really - animal crackers come alive. Things are plugged into noses. It's a bit odd. And I really hated that the smart girl goes for the dumb guy. But that's my own neurosis.
I like Yang's illustration style, and I identify with his general vibe and voice. And I LOVED the special features at the end. Definitely the work of a less mature creator than the guy who did [b:American Born Chinese|118944|American Born Chinese|Gene Luen Yang|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171765431s/118944.jpg|114515]. But that makes sense.

gimchi's review

Go to review page

3.0

i really liked everything until the last story, 'loyola chin and then san peligran order' when the bible is quoted.

debz57a52's review

Go to review page

3.0

I rarely dislike Yang's graphic novels; they have a wonderful art style and I really love the messages he shares through the theme of the story.  This edition is no exception.  Both Gordon and Loyola are characters in their own separate halves of the GN, but their timelines merge together by the end of the book, which is always fun.  Both characters go through a personal reckoning, noticing that they are not making the best choices for their own development, much less the world at large, and the introduction of an alien species was just icing on the cake.  

howard's review

Go to review page

3.0

I liked this a lot but it wasn't my favorite. I liked the first story better, but I also liked that the second story included characters from the first. Didn't love the fatphobia!

robertrivasplata's review

Go to review page

4.0

These two related stories have all my favorite elements of Yang's later work, but they just don't quite go as far off the deep end as Boxers & Saints or American Born Chinese (or the Shadow Hero, but the crazy twist in that one is reality, so maybe it doesn't count). It's two coming of age stories, involving secret societies, special powers, & higher powers. The ending felt a little inadvertently ambiguous, and could have used some more deliberate ambiguity (or maybe it was deliberate?).

rach's review

Go to review page

4.0

A quirky and original set of connected stories featuring 2 kids who must figure out how to be better people. As always, Yang's art is simple and clear, and his words send a strong message. Let go of your hate before it destroys you. Asserting your dominance over someone else doesn't make you the stronger, better person. Just because you're more intelligent doesn't mean your right to life is greater. And most of all, be very careful what you eat before you go to bed. Some dreams be crazy real!

quinnster's review

Go to review page

3.0

Animal Crackers was much more serious than I expected. Gordon was silly and kind of sweet after awhile and Loyola was hard to categorize. I think in her story though things could have been explored a bit deeper. Where did Saint Danger come from? He referred to himself as human, but he didn't seem human to me. But still, they were two interesting stories.

crystalisreading's review

Go to review page

4.0

I have no idea how to categorize this story, other than graphic novel. Like, and even more so than, American Born Chinese, there's strong elements of the fantastical in the story. And yet there's also a sense of strong grounding in reality, especially the harsh realities of high school. So even though the story is at some points so fantastical as to seem silly, it also feels REAL. and that's quite an accomplishment. it's especially an accomplishment how the author works philosophical and religious considerations into the story without seeming preachy or didactic. Saint Danger made some points I've thought of in the past (and felt guilty for thinking with my tender, humanitarian heart), but he takes it to that inevitable conclusion that is so horrifying to most humans. and then the author, through Loyola, spins that concept around on its head. Totally caught me by surprise...and delighted me. It's not a perspective I get often in the graphic novel and fantasy worlds, and I really appreciated it. I'll definitely be seeking out more work by Gene Luen Yang. Keep them coming!

amalelmohtar's review

Go to review page

5.0

This was so very, very wonderful, and so inescapably imaginative. I adore Yang's art and the stories he tells with it.

I loved the last story until the very end of it, when I made a :( face at
the fact that the smart girl's choice of compassion over tyranny results in her going on a date with the boy she's had no interest in previously purely because he doesn't interest her
, but it was the only story to irk me in that way, and it was the last bit of the last chapter, so five stars all the way.

Yang's Afterword was very touching, and I really liked the "bonus" section too.

ngerharter's review

Go to review page

3.0

I liked the illustrations - the story seemed to be a little out of my range of enjoyment...