We're closing in! This is the second to last review, guys! Today we're doing Rites of Dionysus Act One: Whatever's Clever by Zak Plum, a story told entirely in verse that resembles beat poetry with an art style that seems to be inpsired by south-western american native tribes, maybe specifically the Hopi.
The copyright date on this book says 2013 but everything about this books says 1991 to me. I can imagine it being narrated by Jeanine Garafalo or Tracy Ullman or something. It's definitely got that kinda vibe, that kinda art house, coffee shop, midway point between grunge and hippie kinda folk-punk vibe. This book is your kooky english teacher, the one who liked to have class outside on sunny days. If this book was a smell, it would be patchouli and if it had a pattern it would be paisley. If it had a soundtrack it would be Pure Moods and if I found it anywhere other than Queer Comic Expo, I'd have just as easily assumed it was something someone picked up from the local art and wine festival. I know it sounds like I'm making fun of this book, and I KINDA am (because it's just laid on SO thick), but it's not entirely without it's merits.
For example, the artwork, while derivative, is executed expertly. It very much captures it's inspirations and wears them proudly on it's sleeve. The verse for the most part flows very nicely. There are some times when you have to make yourself re-read a line just so you can re-assert to yourself how the rhyme scheme is supposed to flow. That can be a little jarring. BUT, thankfully, it's not a problem that occurs often enough for me to see it a determent to the book as a whole.
All in all, it's an okay book but it would definitely appeal a lot more to someone who actually dug these aesthetics. If you gotta gay friend who's still living in the 90's, get them this book.
The copyright date on this book says 2013 but everything about this books says 1991 to me. I can imagine it being narrated by Jeanine Garafalo or Tracy Ullman or something. It's definitely got that kinda vibe, that kinda art house, coffee shop, midway point between grunge and hippie kinda folk-punk vibe. This book is your kooky english teacher, the one who liked to have class outside on sunny days. If this book was a smell, it would be patchouli and if it had a pattern it would be paisley. If it had a soundtrack it would be Pure Moods and if I found it anywhere other than Queer Comic Expo, I'd have just as easily assumed it was something someone picked up from the local art and wine festival. I know it sounds like I'm making fun of this book, and I KINDA am (because it's just laid on SO thick), but it's not entirely without it's merits.
For example, the artwork, while derivative, is executed expertly. It very much captures it's inspirations and wears them proudly on it's sleeve. The verse for the most part flows very nicely. There are some times when you have to make yourself re-read a line just so you can re-assert to yourself how the rhyme scheme is supposed to flow. That can be a little jarring. BUT, thankfully, it's not a problem that occurs often enough for me to see it a determent to the book as a whole.
All in all, it's an okay book but it would definitely appeal a lot more to someone who actually dug these aesthetics. If you gotta gay friend who's still living in the 90's, get them this book.
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