BookClique

I liked Gogo Monster a LOT!  It is the story of Yuki, a nine-year-old, third grade boy in Japan who hears monsters. It’s in traditional Manga format, reading right to left. I expected the format to drive me crazy, but it was surprisingly easy to adapt to. The layout expertly leads you from one panel to the next seamlessly.  The drawings are beautiful, subtle and nuanced; they really pull their story-telling weight.  I should tell a future reader, after reading this 450+ page book, I’m still not sure what exactly happened to this kid. Was it the story of a child’s wild imagination? Were there really monsters and did the school just magically add floors to itself? I’m not sure, but I can say with surety that this is one insight-fully messed up third-grader!  It’s not for you if you have a low tolerance for ambiguity but if you like a book that knocks you off balance, you will like this book.  I plan to read it again, just in case I missed something.

Sherri M.

Filed under: Fiction, Graphic Novel by stacyw