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A review by inthebelljar
Everyone Is Tulip by Nicole Goux, Dave Baker, Ellie Hall
3.0
Everyone Is Tulip is about aspiring actress Becca who stumbles into a life of internet fame after starring as Tulip in a digital art piece directed/produced by cliche-spewing Paradox XL (or Stanley). Dealing with the consequences of going viral, the story reflects back on how Becca came to live in LA and the things she's given up to get there - and what more she's willing to give up to really make it.
I feel like this might actually be more like a 3.5 but when I sit and think about how I felt after reading it, I just didn't quite tip over into "I really liked it" territory, it kept middling out into "I liked it." I liked the ideas of it, I liked a lot of the themes explored (identity and personas, giving up yourself to get what you want/playing the game to make it, even art theft, etc.), but I felt like something was missing.
Maybe I wanted more? Maybe I wanted the build towards Becca's ultimate decision to be a bit more...gradual?
Still, I generally liked the art and the exploration of themes, and I also liked the subtlety of the characters' internal worlds. No outright explanations or internal monologues or diary entries, yet I still felt like I knew what was going on inside their heads.
Overall, I liked Everyone Is Tulip even if I thought it could have been better. I liked the hypocrisy and the messiness and the sad reality of performance and fame. Also I do have to say I loved the fashion in the performance art pieces throughout, which were absolutely incredible.
I feel like this might actually be more like a 3.5 but when I sit and think about how I felt after reading it, I just didn't quite tip over into "I really liked it" territory, it kept middling out into "I liked it." I liked the ideas of it, I liked a lot of the themes explored (identity and personas, giving up yourself to get what you want/playing the game to make it, even art theft, etc.), but I felt like something was missing.
Maybe I wanted more? Maybe I wanted the build towards Becca's ultimate decision to be a bit more...gradual?
Spoiler
Although Becca often goes along with being put into the Tulip-shaped box and being taken advantage of by Paradox and her roommate, Eve, she seemed so resistant and angry until the very last page? Although in some ways, she had been heading down that road for a long time. I'm not sure, but I have mixed feelings about the ending.Still, I generally liked the art and the exploration of themes, and I also liked the subtlety of the characters' internal worlds. No outright explanations or internal monologues or diary entries, yet I still felt like I knew what was going on inside their heads.
Overall, I liked Everyone Is Tulip even if I thought it could have been better. I liked the hypocrisy and the messiness and the sad reality of performance and fame. Also I do have to say I loved the fashion in the performance art pieces throughout, which were absolutely incredible.