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summeryoder's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.5
A wonderful nonfiction graphic novel! Tells the adventures of three different world travelers in the late 19th century. Each story is told on its own, but it's fun to read them included in the same volume. It really captures the spirit of adventure and exploration of that era.
nattycran's review against another edition
2.0
I’m not sure who I could suggest this book to. It is aimed towards children, but the art and themes don’t fit as well as I’d like. That being said, it could be good for some kids.
I feel like Nellie Bly was more deserving of her own book geared towards teens. Also, calling her “girl reporter” instead of “woman reporter” isn’t exactly cool.
In the Joshua Slocum section, I didn’t feel like the pace of his past, hallucinations, and eventual disappearance were paced properly.
Why was Thomas Stevens even there?!
Also, the art felt unfinished in parts.
I feel like Nellie Bly was more deserving of her own book geared towards teens. Also, calling her “girl reporter” instead of “woman reporter” isn’t exactly cool.
In the Joshua Slocum section, I didn’t feel like the pace of his past, hallucinations, and eventual disappearance were paced properly.
Why was Thomas Stevens even there?!
Also, the art felt unfinished in parts.
bethnellvaccaro's review against another edition
4.0
This is an enjoyable graphic novel that fuels my desire to travel.
nerfherder86's review against another edition
4.0
great graphic novel with three stories, based on historical fact, about around the world journeyers: Nellie Bly, Thomas Stevens (who rode a high wheeler bicycle around the world in 1884), and Joshua Slocum, who sailed alone around the world from 1895-98.
attytheresa's review against another edition
3.0
Phelan explores here 3 intrepid journeys in the late 19th/early 20th Centuries that were inspired by or in some way echo [b:Around the World in Eighty Days|54479|Around the World in Eighty Days|Jules Verne|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1308815551l/54479._SY75_.jpg|4537271] by [a:Jules Verne|696805|Jules Verne|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1322911579p2/696805.jpg], which had been a sensational hit ever since it's publication in 1873. I confess to adoring it myself, including most film and series adaptations. No surprise that this caught my eye.
The 3 journeys are quite distinct and unique, reflecting the motives and personalities of the journeyers. First up is Thomas Stevens who rode a big wheel bicycle around the world, financed by writing articles for Outings publication by the Boston bicycle manufacturer. [b:Around the World on a Bicycle|301255|Around the World on a Bicycle|Thomas Stevens|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1387701227l/301255._SY75_.jpg|292320] is the book he ultimately wrote about his adventure, and I might just have to rad it some day. Stevens was a miner who one day decided to come above ground and ride a bicycle across the US, from San Francisco to Boston. He buys the bike and after learning to ride it starts off, devising as he travelled across the US the intention to bicycle around the world. Frankly, this journey seemed flat, with little insight into the man himself. He seems a bit flat and colorless. Which is why I'm not rushing to read his book!
Next is Nellie Bly and boy does her stubborn personality spring off the page! A woman in the male dominated newspaper business, Nellie spent a year essentially convincing her editor that she could make the trip in 74 days as opposed to the fictional Phineas Fogg's 80 days. Though the trip itself reads as rather boring, seeming exclusively train and boat, Nellie herself draws you in. One of the highlights was meeting Jules Verne himself - and I'll say no more so as not to spoil it! I have at least one book about Nellie's trip in my TBR and it needs to move to the top!
Last up is Joshua Slocum's sailing around the world alone in a 36 foot sloop. Of all of them, this is more the story of an internal journey than of an adventure sailing alone around the world. There is darkness in it, some deep loss and sadness that colors Joshua's world. It's this one that has me questioning the Middle Grade rating for this graphic novel. I found Joshua's journey far too adult for any tweenie.
As always, Phelan's artwork is wonderful.
The 3 journeys are quite distinct and unique, reflecting the motives and personalities of the journeyers. First up is Thomas Stevens who rode a big wheel bicycle around the world, financed by writing articles for Outings publication by the Boston bicycle manufacturer. [b:Around the World on a Bicycle|301255|Around the World on a Bicycle|Thomas Stevens|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1387701227l/301255._SY75_.jpg|292320] is the book he ultimately wrote about his adventure, and I might just have to rad it some day. Stevens was a miner who one day decided to come above ground and ride a bicycle across the US, from San Francisco to Boston. He buys the bike and after learning to ride it starts off, devising as he travelled across the US the intention to bicycle around the world. Frankly, this journey seemed flat, with little insight into the man himself. He seems a bit flat and colorless. Which is why I'm not rushing to read his book!
Next is Nellie Bly and boy does her stubborn personality spring off the page! A woman in the male dominated newspaper business, Nellie spent a year essentially convincing her editor that she could make the trip in 74 days as opposed to the fictional Phineas Fogg's 80 days. Though the trip itself reads as rather boring, seeming exclusively train and boat, Nellie herself draws you in. One of the highlights was meeting Jules Verne himself - and I'll say no more so as not to spoil it! I have at least one book about Nellie's trip in my TBR and it needs to move to the top!
Last up is Joshua Slocum's sailing around the world alone in a 36 foot sloop. Of all of them, this is more the story of an internal journey than of an adventure sailing alone around the world. There is darkness in it, some deep loss and sadness that colors Joshua's world. It's this one that has me questioning the Middle Grade rating for this graphic novel. I found Joshua's journey far too adult for any tweenie.
As always, Phelan's artwork is wonderful.
pkadams's review against another edition
3.0
Matt Phelan is always a pleasure to read as he captures with cinematic detail the exquisite essence of a story.
corncobwebs's review against another edition
This beautifully illustrated graphic novel tells the story of three different people who each circumnavigate the globe. Thomas Stevens travels by bicycle; Nellie Bly travels by boat and train (and is trying to make the journey in less than 80 days); and Joshua Slocum travels by boat. In an author's note, Phelan comments on how he tried to show each individual's personal motivation for traveling, and I think he did an excellent job with this piece of the story. My favorite part was the artwork, though - Phelan's loose style looks effortless, and he does a fantastic job of capturing moods, emotions, and details. I liked this book better than The Storm in the Barn - this story wasn't open-ended at all, and I love any book that highlights early feminists (go, Nellie Bly!). A beautiful little book that is definitely worth the short while it takes to read it.
kkamin3's review against another edition
5.0
Why can't all historical fiction be as delightful as this?