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talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Death
Moderate: Terminal illness, Cancer, Death of parent, Blood, Car accident, Grief, Dementia, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War
Nonsexual nudity. Spiders.mephistofelix's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Dementia, Cancer, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Body horror, Child death, Blood, and War
hflh's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Overall
I loved every part of this book right down to the author's note. It's funny, tender, and wonderfully queer. This book delivers on what the blurb promises and then some and I would definitely recommend to anyone who is looking for queer representation, likes more surrealist magical realism and maybe a bit of the supernatural, and loves a good lovable but flawed older woman main character. The narrative is tight (though fast-paced if that doesn't suit you) and the characters are well-defined in a short time.
The Art
The art is great, especially if you like a simple, flow-y style. I really enjoyed Ann Xu's paneling and the use of the colour black in and between panels. If you are like me, you will also appreciate the unapologetic and non-sexualized portrayal of women's bodies, particularly older ones.
An added bonus: Comments on aging and caring for aging relatives
My enjoyment and rating stand without this element, so I'd still recommend the book if this part doesn't speak to you.
Among the magical realism elements and the interactions between Kumiko and her daughter, Goto explores some of the mental and physical challenges with aging, including the desire to keep your independence in a body that is not always on your side. Goto also explores the frustrations for caretakers when trying to care for stubborn loved ones who can struggle to care for themselves, including the challenge of finding the balance between caretaking and leaving space for their autonomy. This really resonated with me as someone helping care for a grandmother with dementia who falls frequently but can't admit it or accept help. It was also a good reminder that this struggle is hard for both of us.
But what I really appreciated was that Goto explores these topics within the space of magical realism, allowing for things to still feel light and have an unambiguous happy ending. Kumiko still has physical autonomy and when she's forgetful or seeing supernatural things, it's not because she's losing her mental faculties. For me at least, this made these parts of the narrative cathartic without making me feel heavy or depressed.
-------------------------
Also the book is set in Vancouver, BC if that's something that interests you - but non-Vancouverites won't be missing anything without that background :)
I loved every part of this book right down to the author's note. It's funny, tender, and wonderfully queer. This book delivers on what the blurb promises and then some and I would definitely recommend to anyone who is looking for queer representation, likes more surrealist magical realism and maybe a bit of the supernatural, and loves a good lovable but flawed older woman main character. The narrative is tight (though fast-paced if that doesn't suit you) and the characters are well-defined in a short time.
The Art
The art is great, especially if you like a simple, flow-y style. I really enjoyed Ann Xu's paneling and the use of the colour black in and between panels. If you are like me, you will also appreciate the unapologetic and non-sexualized portrayal of women's bodies, particularly older ones.
An added bonus: Comments on aging and caring for aging relatives
My enjoyment and rating stand without this element, so I'd still recommend the book if this part doesn't speak to you.
Among the magical realism elements and the interactions between Kumiko and her daughter, Goto explores some of the mental and physical challenges with aging, including the desire to keep your independence in a body that is not always on your side. Goto also explores the frustrations for caretakers when trying to care for stubborn loved ones who can struggle to care for themselves, including the challenge of finding the balance between caretaking and leaving space for their autonomy. This really resonated with me as someone helping care for a grandmother with dementia who falls frequently but can't admit it or accept help. It was also a good reminder that this struggle is hard for both of us.
But what I really appreciated was that Goto explores these topics within the space of magical realism, allowing for things to still feel light and have an unambiguous happy ending. Kumiko still has physical autonomy and when she's forgetful or seeing supernatural things, it's not because she's losing her mental faculties. For me at least, this made these parts of the narrative cathartic without making me feel heavy or depressed.
-------------------------
Also the book is set in Vancouver, BC if that's something that interests you - but non-Vancouverites won't be missing anything without that background :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Dementia, Death, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Car accident, Medical content, Terminal illness, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
mossgoblins's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Dementia, Terminal illness, and Medical content
brogan7's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
I really enjoyed this book and it is also a hard read because it portrays an elderly woman with dementia who runs away from an assisted living facility and that portrayal is pretty much victorious and unambiguously "good"...whereas the reality of what families go through to secure assistance for their loved ones and the balance of choices to assess risk versus freedom or safety versus independence....is not adequately considered in this book.
The illustrations are outstanding and the expressions in the character's faces and body language are just so life-like. It truly gives a sense of "animation."
The fantastical/magical aspects were sometimes confusing to me (I wasn't sure what I was looking at), but I enjoyed the fluidity between real and not-real.
The illustrations are outstanding and the expressions in the character's faces and body language are just so life-like. It truly gives a sense of "animation."
The fantastical/magical aspects were sometimes confusing to me (I wasn't sure what I was looking at), but I enjoyed the fluidity between real and not-real.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Dementia
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