I, Parrot: A Graphic Novel
"[Unferth's] language is sly and bitterly funny, matched in mood by Haidle's monochromatic, inkwash-style artwork, which plays up the story's whimsy as well as its sadness." --The New York Times Book Review Daphne is willing to risk everything to get her son back. Surreal, funny and deeply affecting, I, Parrot is the tale of mother, a son, forty-two endangered parrots, and a fierce search for redemption and a "freer world." When Daphne loses custody of her son, she is willing to do whatever it takes to get him back--even if it means enlisting the help of the wayward love of her life, a trio of housepainters, a flock of passenger pigeons, a landlady from hell, a super-sized bag of mite-killing powder, and more parrots than she knows what to do with. I, Parrot, by acclaimed author Deb Olin Unferth with stunning illustrations by artist Elizabeth Haidle, dips into the surreal with poignancy and humor. In this riveting, funny, and tragic graphic novel, Daphne must risk everything. Her quest is ultimately a tale about civilization's decline, the heartbreak of extinction, and the redemption found in individual revolution. "A lovingly crafted world of gray, at once complex and weightless." --Roman Muradov, author of Lost and Found
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Community Reviews
I wanted to love this. I didn't love this.
Two parts to a graphic novel: story and art.
STORY
As a mother, I thought this would rip my heart out. My heart is still 100% intact.
Daphne acts like she should drive around with a God Bless This Hot Mess bumper sticker. That ending did nothing to redeem her in my eyes. I don't know if it was supposed to move me, but I was just irritated and glad to be done.
ART
Meh. This just really wasn't my cup of tea. I agree with many others that (at least some) color panels would have really helped. I'm also going to clump in lettering with "art." The lettering was also not my cup of tea. Something about it made me want to skim longer sections (and admittedly I did skim many of the longer sections towards the end).
2 Stars
Two parts to a graphic novel: story and art.
STORY
As a mother, I thought this would rip my heart out. My heart is still 100% intact.
Daphne acts like she should drive around with a God Bless This Hot Mess bumper sticker. That ending did nothing to redeem her in my eyes. I don't know if it was supposed to move me, but I was just irritated and glad to be done.
ART
Meh. This just really wasn't my cup of tea. I agree with many others that (at least some) color panels would have really helped. I'm also going to clump in lettering with "art." The lettering was also not my cup of tea. Something about it made me want to skim longer sections (and admittedly I did skim many of the longer sections towards the end).
2 Stars
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