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bookblogging
Jun. 10th, 2008 03:54 pmAt this post, I've read 108 books/graphic novels/etc since my semester ended in May and I started keeping track. Graphic novels go fast! But right now, it's so hot, I can barely bring myself to read, and the library is closed for a couple of days because their air conditioning is busted and the second-floor stacks are a health hazard. Ugh.
Graphic novels:
Various: Japan as Viewed by 17 Creators
(I'm glad I didn't read this right after it came out. I knew none of these creators at the time, and virtually nothing about the French comics market. Since then, I've had the chance to read or at least look at the work of eight or nine of the seventeen creators, which adds something to the reading experience. It's a nifty concept, and I enjoyed it.
I mostly prefer the Japanese creators' pieces, I think because so many of the French ones end up feeling unimaginative: the French creator feels alienated by Japan, writes a short, probably autobiographical, about how alien Japan feels; most likely also describes and depicts Japanese women entirely in sexual terms. They each have their own styles, and they're cool and talented creators, but the repetitiveness of some of the contributions to this anthology bored me. So did the incessant sexualization of all the Japanese women.
I have to single out Aurelia Aurita as my favorite French author here--she's funnier and earthier than most of her peers in this anthology, much more lively and joyful and humble about her experiences; I found her story delightful. I've got to keep an eye peeled for any other work by her in English! Come to think of it, she's the only non-Japanese female creator in the book, which probably has something to do with how different her story feels...
The Aurita story is neck in neck with the Anno Moyoco piece for my favorite. Anno's is short, spare of words, and more of a mood piece than a narrative; it is utterly gorgeous in both art and feeling, and very different than anything else I've seen by her.
I also very much enjoyed the Matsumoto Taiyo and Igarashi Daisuke stories; Etienne Davodeau gets props for originality and for making me laugh. Twin brother indeed.
This is highly recommended; it is really worth tracking it down for a look, and I think it deserves a place in a good graphic novel collection).
Manga:
Nakazawa Keiji: Barefoot Gen vols. 3-4
(human beings are amazing...).
Graphic novels:
Various: Japan as Viewed by 17 Creators
(I'm glad I didn't read this right after it came out. I knew none of these creators at the time, and virtually nothing about the French comics market. Since then, I've had the chance to read or at least look at the work of eight or nine of the seventeen creators, which adds something to the reading experience. It's a nifty concept, and I enjoyed it.
I mostly prefer the Japanese creators' pieces, I think because so many of the French ones end up feeling unimaginative: the French creator feels alienated by Japan, writes a short, probably autobiographical, about how alien Japan feels; most likely also describes and depicts Japanese women entirely in sexual terms. They each have their own styles, and they're cool and talented creators, but the repetitiveness of some of the contributions to this anthology bored me. So did the incessant sexualization of all the Japanese women.
I have to single out Aurelia Aurita as my favorite French author here--she's funnier and earthier than most of her peers in this anthology, much more lively and joyful and humble about her experiences; I found her story delightful. I've got to keep an eye peeled for any other work by her in English! Come to think of it, she's the only non-Japanese female creator in the book, which probably has something to do with how different her story feels...
The Aurita story is neck in neck with the Anno Moyoco piece for my favorite. Anno's is short, spare of words, and more of a mood piece than a narrative; it is utterly gorgeous in both art and feeling, and very different than anything else I've seen by her.
I also very much enjoyed the Matsumoto Taiyo and Igarashi Daisuke stories; Etienne Davodeau gets props for originality and for making me laugh. Twin brother indeed.
This is highly recommended; it is really worth tracking it down for a look, and I think it deserves a place in a good graphic novel collection).
Manga:
Nakazawa Keiji: Barefoot Gen vols. 3-4
(human beings are amazing...).
