Graphic Novel Review: Ghost Writer by Rayco Pulido
Ghost Writer
Author: Rayco Pulido
Published: August 18, 2020
96 Pages
Reviewed By: Jessica
Date Read: September 27, 2020
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
Barcelona, 1943. As a scriptwriter for a popular radio advice column, Laia is embroiled in the romantic entanglements of others. Each day, she reads letters from troubled wives and girlfriends recounting their partners’ abuses and tries her best to counsel them. In contrast, her own life seems perfectly ordered, with a devoted husband and a baby on the way. But when the city is terrorized by a vengeful killer, who leaves behind cryptic messages in blood alongside the mutilated bodies of married men ― while at the same time, Laia’s husband goes missing ― her world begins to come apart. Desperate to find her husband, she turns to Mauricio, a private eye practiced in hypnosis. During the course of his investigations, Mauricio soon suspects that there may be more to this unassuming young woman than meets the eye. Rendered in a clean-line chiaroscuro style and masterfully paced, Ghostwriter takes the reader on a wild ride full of twists and turns right through to its thrilling conclusion. Black & white illustrations.
Jessica’s Review:
Ghost Writer is a graphic novel, so it is a different type of read for me. It was a dark, disturbing read…. And I really enjoyed it!
This graphic novel is 96 pages of black and white illustrations divided among 18 ‘acts’. This is a crime noir story/thriller that won Spain’s National Comic award in 2017, and it is well worthy of that win! This is also Pulido’s English debut.
Ghost Writer is not for the ‘little ones’ as it is aimed for ages 16+. As one that doesn’t usually read graphic novels, I wasn’t sure if I was ‘getting the reading’, and then BAM: We get an unexpected twist. From that point I knew I was ‘getting it’ and really enjoyed this ‘different form of reading. I don’t think most readers will realize the twists, unless they read crime noir, then they might (well maybe….????)
If you like graphic novels and stories with a noir-ish detective story with some dark humor then Ghost Writer will be for you! Read Ghost Writer and meet a new to the USA author!
Many thanks to the publisher for granting me a copy via Amazon Vine.
Graphic Novel Review: Batman: Arkham Asylum – A Serious House on Serious Earth
Today Kim is bringing you a video review of the graphic novel Batman: Arkham Asylum – A Serious House on Serious Earth by Grant Morrison and illustrated by Dave McKean.
Batman: Arkham Asylum – A Serious House on Serious Earth
Series: Batman: One-Shots
Author: Grant Morrison
Illustrator: Dave McKean
First Published: January 1, 1989
216 Pages
Reviewed By: Kim
Kim’s Rating: 5 stars
Graphic Novel Description:
In this groundbreaking, painted graphic novel, the inmates of Arkham Asylum have taken over Gotham’s detention center for the criminally insane on April Fools’ Day, demanding Batman in exchange for their hostages. Accepting their demented challenge, Batman is forced to live and endure the personal hells of the Joker, Scarecrow, Poison Ivy, Two-Face, and many other sworn enemies in order to save the innocents and retake the prison. During his run through this absurd gauntlet, the Dark Knight’s own sanity is placed in jeopardy.
Kim’s Video Review:
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
A Story About Cancer (With a Happy Ending)
A Story About Cancer (With a Happy Ending)
Author: India Desjardins
Illustrator: Marianne Ferrer
Translator: Solange Ouellet
Published: January 29, 2019
96 Pages
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: August 2, 2020
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
I think about everything I’ll miss if they tell me I’m going to die . . . my mom, my dad, my sister, cookies, TV shows I’ll never get to see the end of, walking outside when it’s really nice, the smell of fall, the starry sky on a full moon, my grandparents, my grandpa’s lasagna, kissing Victor, Victor’s eyes, Victor’s voice, Victor’s smell, Victor’s hands . . . Victor.
A teenage girl heads towards the hospital waiting room where the doctors are going to tell her how much time she’s got to live. As she walks, she thinks about her journey up to this point . . . the terrible decor in the hospital, wearing a headscarf, the horrible treatments, but also being with her friends, family, and her new boyfriend Victor. This is a story about cancer with a happy ending. It’s about life, love, and especially, hope.
Jessica’s Review:
Our unnamed female narrator is 15 and has been on her leukemia journey for five years. She tells us her story first hand of growing up and dealing with cancer, from losing a friend to the disease, to even falling in love for the first time. This is another story with the **spoiler alert* in the title, but that was actually what brought me to want to read A Story About Cancer.
This graphic novel comes off more as a children’s book with the watercolor type illustrations and simplistic dialog, yet I was entranced in the story and even though I knew it would have a happy ending, I was intensely reading it. The book gives us the variety of emotions and experiences that a child and her family goes through as she is becoming a teenager and faces this journey. The illustrations are perfect for the story and help to complete it.
I would say the best age group for this graphic novel would be preteens. The story and words don’t talk down to a reader of that age and help one understand what goes on with someone dealing with cancer. And yes, there is a happy ending.
There is a real life story behind the novel, which is mentioned at the end and makes the book even more wonderful. I applaud the author, illustrator, and translator for working to give us this story about cancer, but with a happy ending!
I received a copy from the publisher Frances Lincoln Children’s Books via Amazon Vine. Many thanks for allowing me to read and review it!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK