Are You Listening?
Ratings37
Average rating4
everything kafka on the shore wishes it was
in all seriousness, it stands on its own as a beautiful reflection on how we process life
Wow! I am so glad I picked this one up. It is so heavy and hopeful at the same time. Life is hard and making good decisions is hard, but having support along the way is hopeful. This book does a beautiful job encapsulating all that.
i absolutely loved this i'm sitting here about to tear up over the ending. Definitely my new favorite of Walden's work!
I love Walden's art, it's so good.
The story here is all character driven. They characters are great, they have great chemistry and are supportive of each other without loosing sight of themselves. But it feels lopsided, like Bea benefits way more than Lou. At times due to the gorgeous art, strong characters, and emotionality it reminded me of a Miyazaki film.
I misunderstood, I had thought that they had both lost their mothers, but it was just Lou. So when we get to Diamond's address and there's nothing there I felt the three of them have a strong connection, that the three of them are motherless/homeless or ‘can never go home again'. But that's not the case.
The art is superior to the story and I'm mad/disappointed that when this is held at a distance it seems like a bunch of lesbian stereotypes: broken young woman who was molested and is a lesbian finds an older protective lesbian without feminine qualities, lives with her, is taken care of by her, and they get a cat.
There's more to it than that, like magical elements and closure, but those are the broad strokes.
Also thoughtful and haunted with emotions, conveying lots with looks and pauses, and featuring small touches of magic, this is very similar yet nowhere near as good as On A Sunbeam.
I loved this, even more than On A Sunbeam. What a wild ride! I think Lou is my new favorite character in the world.