By Stephen Emond
Genre YA Contemporary
Pages 320
Recommended by Kathy
First sentence So I'm opening my Christmas present in June.
Synopsis
Written in journal style with awesome pictures, Happyface tells the story of a boy who decided to reinvent himself when he starts at a new school. No longer will he be that "kid in the corner drawing you", but, instead, a cool laid back guy with a grin plastered on his face. No matter what.
What is has going for it
The art! The art in this book was a blast for me. It's not a graphic novel; the pictures don't tell the story, but they could. They're that good. From doodle style to beautiful sketches and everything in between, the pictures made this book worth the read. I also enjoyed the journal style writing as it's always very personal feeling and pulls you into the characters head better than other styles might.
What's lacking
Unfortunately the story didn't do it for me. The surprises were thrown at you in a way that made you feel lied to because it was in journal style. I can see the reasoning behind it but I still didn't like that feeling of betrayal. But what really ruined the book for me was the sarcasm and bitterness dripping from the pages. I know it's unprofessional to lash out at authors but I felt like, in this case, the author had been burned at some point in his life and used this book as a tool for getting sympathy. I don't know, maybe there was some message I missed but I just found myself rather disgusted with the MC and that's never a good thing.
Favorite moment
For me it was just looking at the art. There wasn't really a part of the story that was a favorite.
Yea or Nay?
You know me, even if I don't like a book, doesn't mean I won't recommend it. For this one I'll say sure, for the art, sure. And if you actually get what the author was going for let me know. ;)
I think I want to read this one now, just so I can see what you mean about feeling betrayed and too much sarcasm. I am always thinking about what books say without coming out and telling you and what they are saying beyond the story they are telling.
ReplyDeleteYeah, sometimes I just think that I'M the bitter one. ;) But this one did feel a little too bitter for my taste.
Delete+JMJ+
ReplyDeleteYour comment about the writer using this tool to get sympathy reminds me of one critique of Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged: that she was so mentally disturbed that writing it was her only therapy . . . and even then, it didn't help her. It does show when an author's hurt feelings are still all over the place, and not under the kind of control you'd expect an artist to have over his brush. For emotions are a kind of brush. (Hmmmm. An odd comment to leave for a book that is as much about the illustrations as it is about the prose. I "blame" my subconscious! =P)
:) I think it's impossible for an author to keep their feelings out of a book. Though, there's many people that would disagree with me.
DeleteSorry this one didn't work for you! I can see what you're saying about the bitterness. Hopefully your next book will be better. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks. I didn't really hate this one just didn't adore it and I wanted to because the art was so fun!
DeleteAs a writer wannabe, I think the chances of the author using this book as a tool to display his thoughts or to get sympathy is pretty likely. Not that there's anything wrong with that unless you're the reader and it doesn't strike a chord with you. I'm curious about the pictures and the art at least.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing wrong with it, unless, as you pointed out, it doesn't strike a chord with the reader. And this one just didn't for me. :(
DeleteI know what you mean about authors sometimes seeming bitter. That's always a let down! Maybe I'll flip through it at the library just so I can see this awesome art work you talked about!
ReplyDeleteLOL! The sad thing is, I'm not sure you can appreciate the art with out reading the story. Sigh!
DeleteI'm intrigued by this book now after reading your review. I sometimes like to read books that others haven't liked just to find out why. But I do like the sound of a book written in diary style with pictures in it.
ReplyDeleteLOL! I do that all the time. I always want to know why people didn't like a book.
DeleteLike everyone else, I'm tempted if only because of your description of the art. I know what you mean about feeling "lied to". It's annoying when an author writes something misleading from the perspective of the MC, just for the sake of surprising you later.
ReplyDeleteIf an author is going to have a twist that the MC knew about and just didn't tell us it should be in third person...at least that's how I feel.
DeleteYep, I agree 100%!
DeleteThis one sounds like an interesting concept! I hope that I might enjoy this one, I've never heard of it, but it definitely has captured my interest. Great review :D
ReplyDeleteYeah, I don't think it's that well known. I'd never heard of if until a friend reviewed it.
DeleteOkay, clearly I am way behind on reading blog posts this week! Gah! Time just got away from me. The cover had me totally intrigued, not to mention the fact that this book is illustrated. I have a secret dream of turning all my books into full-color illustrated works. :) But there is definitely a problem if the MC is annoying . . . too bad!
ReplyDeleteThe illustrations wee great. It's too bad the story couldn't hold up.
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