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Sailor Twain Ou La Sirène Dans L'Hudson (2013)

by Mark Siegel(Favorite Author)
3.73 of 5 Votes: 5
ISBN
2070696170 (ISBN13: 9782070696178)
languge
English
genre
publisher
Gallimard
review 1: The cartoonish style this is drawn in is completely at odds with the sex and romance in this graphic novel. This was a weird read for me, not only because of the ill-fitting art, but also because of the story that weaves three plots together in such a sloppy fashion. The ending was confusing and I expected so much more after all that build up of drama. I want to care about the men leading this story, but with the way they treat women how can I? The ableism and objectification of women was only the tip of the iceberg. I also found it interesting from a black feminist standpoint that the first woman we see nude is the only black woman in the whole story (all the other white ladies one of our heroes is banging get to keep their clothes on. How interesting. Not). Of course the... more second woman we see nude is the beautiful, wonderful white lady love of my life character. She's FAR more fascinating than both the leading men and yet we never get into her story at all. She's nothing more than the chick some dude fell for despite having her own life and motivations. However, there's lots of back story to go around for other secondary male characters. I really couldn't see the epic romance in this. Just lackluster, lukewarm male characters being products of their time. If the author had spent a little more time explaining the present day story and limiting his exposition, then maybe I would have liked it more.
review 2: An unusual tale with wonderful artwork, the book had several things going for it, but unfortunately it balanced that out with just as many things against it.The story is sort of a mythical folktale set in America just after the Civil War. A riverboat captain on the Hudson rescues and nurses a mermaid while dealing with his crew and the boat's eccentric owner. I suppose that is what's called "magical realism," but for me it was an odd mix.Similarly, the artwork was an odd mix. Most of it was beautifully rendered charcoal sketches. However the characters were more cartoonishly drawn with over-large simple eyes. The effect just didn't work for me. Instead of providing a dream-like quality, it just felt uneven.Overall, it wasn't particularly bad, but I certainly don't understand the wide amount of praise the book has received. less
Reviews (see all)
Mandy
Good, with some okay mixed in. Artwork highly satisfactory. Dunno why I didn't like it more.
Dawn
This is a very, very good book. I enjoyed the story and art very much.
macy1697
Enticing & magical with lovely artwork a very enjoyable read.
desi
Oh my. Ask me why I read this one... ha!
Roberta
Perfect
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