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Review: The Eternal Smile (Yang and Kim)

Title: The Eternal Smile
Authors: Gene Luen Yang and Derek Kirk Kim
Genre: Graphic Novel
Pages: 170
Rating: 4 out of 5
Challenges: Graphic Novel, YA
FTC Disclosure: I borrowed this book from my school library
Summary (from the inside flap): Meet Duncan. Charming and brave, he's the Princesses' favorite--and he's on his way to winning the throne. But lately, the walls of reality in Duncan's kingdom are wearing a little thin. Meet Gran'pa Greenbax. Nothing seems to satisfy this greedy old frog's longing for a pool full of gold--until, one day, a mysterious smile appears in the sky. has his chance at happiness come at last? Meet Janet. Her nine-to-five life take sa turn for the romantic when she learns in an email from a mysterious Nigerian prince that she has been chosen to liberate his family's vast fortune. All he needs is her banking information.

Review: I have read one of Gene Luen Yang's books before (American Born Chinese) and quite liked it so I thought I'd give this one a go as well. And, I thought it would give me a good kick start to the Dewey Read-a-Thon. I was right on both counts.

This graphic novel consists of three short stores, all of which deal with the them of fantasy and reality. They also put the ideas of good and evil up against one another. I must confess that all three stories are a little...strange. But at the same time I like them. Gran'pa Greenback's story plays on the idea of greed, religion, and happiness while I loved that Janet's story uses the "Nigerian email scam" to set her path in motion.

If you like something that is a little quirky, interesting, and a quick read, then this is the book for you. I also liked that all three stories are done in very different styles of illustrations that really pull the reader in.

6 comments

Anonymous said...

This book looks very interesting. Thanks for the review!

Helen's Book Blog said...

Paperback Princess--great name, by the way! It was interesting; I like it when a book makes me think about things and this book did just that

Julie said...

Count me in on anything quirky and interesting! Thanks for the review!

Julie @ Knitting and Sundries

Helen's Book Blog said...

Julie--Quirky is the right word for this book, but it was also fun

Athira said...

A quirky graphic novel can be so much fun to read! I've especially enjoyed such books so much. I need to check this one!

Helen's Book Blog said...

Aths--A student checked this out today so I can't wait to see what she thinks of it