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Las tres noches #1
A Gift for a Ghost
An untalented punk band and a parallel dimension—what could go wrong?
In Borja González’s stunning graphic novel, two parallel stories reflect and intertwine in a tale of youthful dreams and desires. In 1856, Teresa, a young aristocrat, is more interested in writing avantgarde horror poetry than making a suitable marriage. In 2016, three teenage girls, Gloria, Laura, and Cristina, want to start a punk band called the Black Holes. They have everything they need: attitude, looks, instinct . . . and an alarming lack of musical talent. They’ve barely started rehearsing when strange things begin to happen. As their world and Teresa’s intersect, they’re haunted by the echo of something that happened 160 years ago.
In Borja González’s stunning graphic novel, two parallel stories reflect and intertwine in a tale of youthful dreams and desires. In 1856, Teresa, a young aristocrat, is more interested in writing avantgarde horror poetry than making a suitable marriage. In 2016, three teenage girls, Gloria, Laura, and Cristina, want to start a punk band called the Black Holes. They have everything they need: attitude, looks, instinct . . . and an alarming lack of musical talent. They’ve barely started rehearsing when strange things begin to happen. As their world and Teresa’s intersect, they’re haunted by the echo of something that happened 160 years ago.
114 pages, Hardcover
First published June 14, 2018
126 people are currently reading
3816 people want to read
About the author
Borja González
15 books90 followersBorja González is a self-taught illustrator and comic strip artist. His first published title was La Reina Orquídea, a precious and haunting short piece that placed the author at the center of national attention in Spain. A Gift for a Ghost is his first long-form work. He lives in Badajoz, Spain.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 836 reviews
June 25, 2020
In 1856 a quirky girl is rejected by her sisters for telling odd stories about Marvel's Ghost Rider and an invasion of alien plants. In 2016, a quirky girl tries to keep her band together while cosplaying and offering up inscrutably gothic lyrics for their songs. The author manages to tie it together so it makes sense in its own way, but he never makes a point. I'm sure it is all just too symbolic for me to see or to really give a damn. This is a European import after all.
The art is quirky too, by the way, as the characters literally have no faces -- no eyes, noses or mouths. González makes them expressive anyhow, but it still caused me to hold them at a distance.
The art is quirky too, by the way, as the characters literally have no faces -- no eyes, noses or mouths. González makes them expressive anyhow, but it still caused me to hold them at a distance.
November 26, 2022
surreal and beautiful art combined with abstract and vague storytelling. because i read gonzalez's night cry earlier this year, that's pretty much what i was expecting. we don't get a lot of details about the characters or plot, and it's not always clear what's happening.
but it's pretty. and the vibes are impeccable.
love the idea of strange misfit humans making an unexpected connection across centuries, and finding mysterious solace in each other.
but it's pretty. and the vibes are impeccable.
love the idea of strange misfit humans making an unexpected connection across centuries, and finding mysterious solace in each other.
July 26, 2021
Visually interesting but storywise, just so-so.
July 12, 2018
Lo mejor es la estética y la atmósfera que crea sin apenas diálogos. Se lee en 20 minutos y te deja un poso especial. Pero luego la historia no es gran cosa.
December 28, 2022
Me siento totalmente estúpida, ya que no he entendido nada. No sabría ni decir de qué va esta novela gráfica porque no he logrado verle un eje argumental claro. Son personajes de dos épocas diferentes dando tumbos y, presuntamente, conectados por algo. Ese “algo” no tengo claro qué es.
Por un lado, tenemos a varias chicas que forman parte de un grupo musical en 2016. Por otro lado, tenemos a unas hermanas haciéndose jugarretas en 1856. En ninguna de las dos líneas temporales ocurre nada especialmente llamativo. Es como estar arañando una superficie y no lograr ver nunca lo que hay debajo. Tal vez hay algún significado místico o muy intelectual en lo que se muestra, pero yo no he sabido interpretarlo.
Otra cosa que choca es la manera de hablar de las chicas del pasado. Por poner un ejemplo, ¿creéis que en 1856 se decía “ni de puta coña”? A ver, seguro que en el siglo XIX se usaban expresiones que equivalían a lo mismo, pero no me imagino a la gente diciendo esa frase en concreto.
Un esqueleto que no sé qué pinta en la trama, chicas a las que realmente no les pasa nada relevante, mariposas viajeras en el tiempo… todo es como un gran delirio.
La parte artística es bonita. A pesar de que las personas no tienen cara, pues le vi elegancia a algunas ilustraciones. Aún así, eso no fue suficiente para mí.
No encontrarle lógica a la trama fue muy frustrante y no tengo ni la más mínima idea de qué propósito tenía lo que se contaba.
Si le dais una oportunidad a esta obra, os deseo que tengáis más suerte que yo comprendiéndola.
Por un lado, tenemos a varias chicas que forman parte de un grupo musical en 2016. Por otro lado, tenemos a unas hermanas haciéndose jugarretas en 1856. En ninguna de las dos líneas temporales ocurre nada especialmente llamativo. Es como estar arañando una superficie y no lograr ver nunca lo que hay debajo. Tal vez hay algún significado místico o muy intelectual en lo que se muestra, pero yo no he sabido interpretarlo.
Otra cosa que choca es la manera de hablar de las chicas del pasado. Por poner un ejemplo, ¿creéis que en 1856 se decía “ni de puta coña”? A ver, seguro que en el siglo XIX se usaban expresiones que equivalían a lo mismo, pero no me imagino a la gente diciendo esa frase en concreto.
Un esqueleto que no sé qué pinta en la trama, chicas a las que realmente no les pasa nada relevante, mariposas viajeras en el tiempo… todo es como un gran delirio.
La parte artística es bonita. A pesar de que las personas no tienen cara, pues le vi elegancia a algunas ilustraciones. Aún así, eso no fue suficiente para mí.
No encontrarle lógica a la trama fue muy frustrante y no tengo ni la más mínima idea de qué propósito tenía lo que se contaba.
Si le dais una oportunidad a esta obra, os deseo que tengáis más suerte que yo comprendiéndola.
September 17, 2020
nothing happened in the first 100 pages. then in the last 30 pages, nothing really happened either, expect this time it was confusing.
December 16, 2020
Despite their 160 years difference, the two sets of young female characters are all striving to express themselves in time periods where they don’t feel as though they fully belong. As their stories unfold, and whispers of each other begin to mysteriously echo through their respective timelines, a truly tangible feeling of teenage angst and female identity emerges.
If I had to pick a favourite thing about this book, it would be the gorgeous illustration style. Each character feels beautifully distinct, even though they are drawn without facial expressions and González’ uses colour in an ingenious way. Colour both separates and connects the two stories; the events of 2016 unfolding largely in greyscale, with only hints of the warm oranges and yellows that characterize Teresa’s world occasionally floating in. This book feels incredibly autumnal, and perfect for Halloween season, not least because of its warm colour palette and the fact that one of the main characters appears always in a different costume.
González also isn’t afraid to let the story breathe, and the images, permeating with stillness, speak for themselves. He doesn’t patronize with exposition or explanations of how or why they become connected, and the lasting significance of their exchange is left up to you.
I adore this book and can’t wait to hopefully read more by González in the future.
If I had to pick a favourite thing about this book, it would be the gorgeous illustration style. Each character feels beautifully distinct, even though they are drawn without facial expressions and González’ uses colour in an ingenious way. Colour both separates and connects the two stories; the events of 2016 unfolding largely in greyscale, with only hints of the warm oranges and yellows that characterize Teresa’s world occasionally floating in. This book feels incredibly autumnal, and perfect for Halloween season, not least because of its warm colour palette and the fact that one of the main characters appears always in a different costume.
González also isn’t afraid to let the story breathe, and the images, permeating with stillness, speak for themselves. He doesn’t patronize with exposition or explanations of how or why they become connected, and the lasting significance of their exchange is left up to you.
I adore this book and can’t wait to hopefully read more by González in the future.
May 17, 2020
2 ⭐
Un graphic novel davvero molto strano e particolare. Si tratta di una storia onirica in cui vi sono due linee temporali, una ambientata nel 1856, la cui protagonista è Teresa, una ragazza a cui piace inventare racconti di fantasmi; un'altra ambientata nel 2016 la cui protagonista è Gloria, una ragazza che sta formando un gruppo punk con le sue amiche Laura e Cristina. Le tavole mi sono piaciute molto per le ambientazioni e i colori, le varie sfumature contribuiscono a rendere la storia ancora più particolare, a tratti quasi oscura e astratta, però i disegni dei personaggi non mi hanno fatto impazzire, anche perché restano dei nomi su carta, non hanno una grande personalità, ma questo era l'intento dell'autore molto probabilmente. La trama non l'ho ben capita sinceramente, ho apprezzato come le due linee temporali si siano intrecciate alla fine, ma il finale in sé per sé non l'ho compreso. Forse il problema sono io perché secondo me la storia ha un senso da interpretare. Purtroppo non mi ha lasciato granché, mi aspettavo qualcosa di più. Avrebbe potuto essere migliore se solo fosse stato più lungo e avesse approfondito meglio i personaggi, perché è davvero troppo breve, però si legge molto in fretta. Grazie mille alla Oscar vault per l'earc!
Un graphic novel davvero molto strano e particolare. Si tratta di una storia onirica in cui vi sono due linee temporali, una ambientata nel 1856, la cui protagonista è Teresa, una ragazza a cui piace inventare racconti di fantasmi; un'altra ambientata nel 2016 la cui protagonista è Gloria, una ragazza che sta formando un gruppo punk con le sue amiche Laura e Cristina. Le tavole mi sono piaciute molto per le ambientazioni e i colori, le varie sfumature contribuiscono a rendere la storia ancora più particolare, a tratti quasi oscura e astratta, però i disegni dei personaggi non mi hanno fatto impazzire, anche perché restano dei nomi su carta, non hanno una grande personalità, ma questo era l'intento dell'autore molto probabilmente. La trama non l'ho ben capita sinceramente, ho apprezzato come le due linee temporali si siano intrecciate alla fine, ma il finale in sé per sé non l'ho compreso. Forse il problema sono io perché secondo me la storia ha un senso da interpretare. Purtroppo non mi ha lasciato granché, mi aspettavo qualcosa di più. Avrebbe potuto essere migliore se solo fosse stato più lungo e avesse approfondito meglio i personaggi, perché è davvero troppo breve, però si legge molto in fretta. Grazie mille alla Oscar vault per l'earc!
December 9, 2021
A Gift for a Ghost is a graphic novel following the parallel stories of teen girls in different time periods and dimensions. A social misfit from the 1800's, and three modern teen girls in a punk rock band. I really liked the ideas and the vibe, the illustrations are beautiful. I just wish the story was a little more cohesive and had a more satisfying ending. I wasn't entirely sure what was happening in parts. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
May 23, 2024
'No freaking way. It is the most punk kind of music that you'll ever hear.'
'It's hard to believe that when it's coming from Dracula.'
'I'm going to a costume party.'
I will be honest, I don't think I entirely got this comic even though it's completely up my alley. I mean, a parallel dimension and a punk rock band, say no more but no, do say more because I'm confused as hell. I just really wanted more of that skeleton character but all I got was an annoying little tattletale of a sister messing up Teresa's days in one dimension and a very confusing get-togethers of the band in the other. The cosplays were hilarious, though.
The premise really is about the feeling of not belonging to the time period you're in but it's sadly not cohesive enough to get across in any meaningful way. Or maybe I didn't get the meaning. I still have some hope that a reread in the future will help.
The art, though is actually amazing and as vague and abstract as the story but it definitely held my interest more than the story. The use of color is nothing short of amazing with the way it makes the two dimensions come together and fall apart over and over. The parallel dimensions also have their own color palettes. Visuals on point, really no notes.
'It's hard to believe that when it's coming from Dracula.'
'I'm going to a costume party.'
I will be honest, I don't think I entirely got this comic even though it's completely up my alley. I mean, a parallel dimension and a punk rock band, say no more but no, do say more because I'm confused as hell. I just really wanted more of that skeleton character but all I got was an annoying little tattletale of a sister messing up Teresa's days in one dimension and a very confusing get-togethers of the band in the other. The cosplays were hilarious, though.
The premise really is about the feeling of not belonging to the time period you're in but it's sadly not cohesive enough to get across in any meaningful way. Or maybe I didn't get the meaning. I still have some hope that a reread in the future will help.
The art, though is actually amazing and as vague and abstract as the story but it definitely held my interest more than the story. The use of color is nothing short of amazing with the way it makes the two dimensions come together and fall apart over and over. The parallel dimensions also have their own color palettes. Visuals on point, really no notes.
July 25, 2022
OCENA: 1,5 ⭐️
April 22, 2020
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, Abrams ComicArts, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! In no way does this affect my rating or review.
A Gift for a Ghost is an odd story that bridges the gap between two eras over one hundred and sixty years. The two timelines converge and contrast, from a young aristocrat in 1856 to a group of three girls in 2016. Teresa, destined for a life of duty, would rather write risque poetry than find a suitor. Her appreciation of horror poetry, in particular, sets her apart from the others in her class, and is discouraged to do so.
Three girls, Gloria, Laura, and Christina, in the future possess a deep passion to become a band but have terrible lyrics. When they stumble upon the poetry of Teresa left in a box by a secret lake in the woods, it just may be their key to a successful start-up.
The deliniation between these two timelines is, unfortunately, difficult to decipher. Each timeline runs into the other, and is only clearly depicted in the illustrations themselves of the shift. If the pace and change in plotline were more clearly noted, this odd little read would be much more palatable. Furthermore, the overall meaning of the story isn't strong enough, leaving the story with an unclear direction.
The illustrations are by far the most enjoyable aspect of A Gift for a Ghost. Simple, yet elegant drawings of the characters in pastels and sharp black and white (in the final edition--the ARC is printed in black and white) easily drawsj the eye of the curious peruser.
Vulgarity: Minimal.
Sexual content: Some nudity.
Violence: None.
My Rating: ★★
My Blog ¦ Bookstagram ¦ Twitter ¦ Pinterest ¦ Facebook
A Gift for a Ghost is an odd story that bridges the gap between two eras over one hundred and sixty years. The two timelines converge and contrast, from a young aristocrat in 1856 to a group of three girls in 2016. Teresa, destined for a life of duty, would rather write risque poetry than find a suitor. Her appreciation of horror poetry, in particular, sets her apart from the others in her class, and is discouraged to do so.
Three girls, Gloria, Laura, and Christina, in the future possess a deep passion to become a band but have terrible lyrics. When they stumble upon the poetry of Teresa left in a box by a secret lake in the woods, it just may be their key to a successful start-up.
The deliniation between these two timelines is, unfortunately, difficult to decipher. Each timeline runs into the other, and is only clearly depicted in the illustrations themselves of the shift. If the pace and change in plotline were more clearly noted, this odd little read would be much more palatable. Furthermore, the overall meaning of the story isn't strong enough, leaving the story with an unclear direction.
The illustrations are by far the most enjoyable aspect of A Gift for a Ghost. Simple, yet elegant drawings of the characters in pastels and sharp black and white (in the final edition--the ARC is printed in black and white) easily drawsj the eye of the curious peruser.
Vulgarity: Minimal.
Sexual content: Some nudity.
Violence: None.
My Rating: ★★
My Blog ¦ Bookstagram ¦ Twitter ¦ Pinterest ¦ Facebook
October 15, 2021
I had to read it twice to understand it halfway. And yet, I like it. Lovely, minimalist art that reminds me of Hellboy. The time travel or parallel worlds or whatever is not really explained, and maybe can't be.
Ain't you proud that you've still got faces?
I wasn't before, Mr. Bowie, but now I am. (These characters don't have any.)
Ain't you proud that you've still got faces?
I wasn't before, Mr. Bowie, but now I am. (These characters don't have any.)
February 2, 2019
Las ilustraciones son preciosas, y la historia es interesante pero se me ha quedado muy corta.
April 21, 2021
I never called characters dumb. But this is the definition of characters being really dumb. No offense. Liked the artwork. But that's all. No story. Not much happened.
July 10, 2025
trigger warnings and other info at the end of the review
I have mixed feelings about this . . .
On the one hand, I LOVED the art. Seriously, it was so visually pleasing to read and I loved every second I got to admire the pages.
On the other hand -- and this is a complaint I have with a LOT of the graphic novels I read -- it felt almost . . . unfinished? That's a bad way to put it. What I mean is that the story was super short and lacked a lot of depth for me. I feel like the characters weren't developed fully and the story was not as fleshed out as I would've wanted. I feel like so much more could've been done with this to make the beauty of the story match the beauty of the illustrations.
Overall, I really enjoyed this I just wanted more.
_________________book info____________________
Genre(s): Fiction, YA, Graphic Novel
Recommended Age Rating: 13+
Reasons Why: Language
Overall Rating: B+
I have mixed feelings about this . . .
On the one hand, I LOVED the art. Seriously, it was so visually pleasing to read and I loved every second I got to admire the pages.
On the other hand -- and this is a complaint I have with a LOT of the graphic novels I read -- it felt almost . . . unfinished? That's a bad way to put it. What I mean is that the story was super short and lacked a lot of depth for me. I feel like the characters weren't developed fully and the story was not as fleshed out as I would've wanted. I feel like so much more could've been done with this to make the beauty of the story match the beauty of the illustrations.
Overall, I really enjoyed this I just wanted more.
_________________book info____________________
Genre(s): Fiction, YA, Graphic Novel
Recommended Age Rating: 13+
Reasons Why: Language
Overall Rating: B+
June 20, 2020
Probabilmente sono io che non ho capito questa graphic novel fino in fondo, ed ecco il perchè del giudizio.
I disegni, comunque, sono bellissimi!
I disegni, comunque, sono bellissimi!
April 7, 2021
This was a gorgeous art book spoiled by speech bubbles. Honestly, this is 2 stars because it was visually great to look at. Had there been no text this would have been a better book and easier read. It has aspirations to be something special, but it was mostly awkward.
Cannot recommend.
Cannot recommend.
February 21, 2021
2.5
Las ilustraciones son muy lindas, pero la historia se queda corta, me hubiera gustado que se desarrollara más.
Las ilustraciones son muy lindas, pero la historia se queda corta, me hubiera gustado que se desarrollara más.
January 17, 2022
📚 Hello Book Friends! I am not sure what to think of A GIFT FOR A GHOST by Borja González. This is one of the most bizarre books I have read. A skeleton that communicates with someone from the past… Poems turned into punk lyrics… people with flower faces that will eat humanity… how weird is that. On the other hand, this graphic novel is beautifully illustrated. Did I like it? Yes and no. Did I understand it? No way! I felt the same way when I saw the animated movie Yellow Submarine. If you like weird, this one is for you.
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May 24, 2020
*4.25*
Review completa qui
Ringrazio infinitamente la casa editrice, Oscar Vault, per avermi permesso di leggere questa graphic novel in anteprima sotto formato di un E-ARC - Ogni pensiero, ovviamente è il mio.
Ero davvero molto interessata a leggere questa graphic novel, visto che parla di argomenti che mi sono molto cari, come la musica e l'emancipazione femminile.
La storia si svolge su due timeline, una nella metà del 1800, l'altra nel 2016 e segue varie ragazze. Nel 1800 abbiamo Teresa, una ragazza che adora suonare il pianogrote e scrivere poesie, che una notte incontra uno scheletro in grado di parlare in un bosco e cerca di mantenere il segreto alla sua famiglia.
Nel 2016 seguiamo tre ragazze, Gloria, Laura e Cristina, che vogliono formare una band punk "Le Black Holes." Ho adorato il riferimento alla canzone "Starglight" dei Muse, colonna portante della mia adolescenza.
Il fumetto rende molto bene il concetto di emancipazione femminile, e porta con sé una buona dose di ragazze ribelli che vogliono solo poter seguire le loro passioni.
I colori sono stupefacenti (e soprattutto molto importanti, non dico di più perché potrebbe essere uno spoiler, ma state molto attenti alle scelte dell'autore), e ho adorato lo stile dell'autore.
I dialoghi sono intelligenti e studiati. Ho letto che molte persone trovano questa graphic novel confusionaria, ma per me non lo è stato. Penso solo che sia nell'intenzione dell'autore sfidare intellettualmente il lettore con riferimenti sparsi nel corso della storia a cui si deve prestare attenzione.
Il finale mi ha lasciato a bocca aperta e senza parole. Ho davvero adorato come gli avvenimenti si sono conclusi, e non dirò altro causa spoiler.
È un viaggio divertentissimo che mi ha stimolato a cercare risposte. Non vedo l'ora di leggere altre opere di questo autore.
Review completa qui
Ringrazio infinitamente la casa editrice, Oscar Vault, per avermi permesso di leggere questa graphic novel in anteprima sotto formato di un E-ARC - Ogni pensiero, ovviamente è il mio.
Ero davvero molto interessata a leggere questa graphic novel, visto che parla di argomenti che mi sono molto cari, come la musica e l'emancipazione femminile.
La storia si svolge su due timeline, una nella metà del 1800, l'altra nel 2016 e segue varie ragazze. Nel 1800 abbiamo Teresa, una ragazza che adora suonare il pianogrote e scrivere poesie, che una notte incontra uno scheletro in grado di parlare in un bosco e cerca di mantenere il segreto alla sua famiglia.
Nel 2016 seguiamo tre ragazze, Gloria, Laura e Cristina, che vogliono formare una band punk "Le Black Holes." Ho adorato il riferimento alla canzone "Starglight" dei Muse, colonna portante della mia adolescenza.
Il fumetto rende molto bene il concetto di emancipazione femminile, e porta con sé una buona dose di ragazze ribelli che vogliono solo poter seguire le loro passioni.
I colori sono stupefacenti (e soprattutto molto importanti, non dico di più perché potrebbe essere uno spoiler, ma state molto attenti alle scelte dell'autore), e ho adorato lo stile dell'autore.
I dialoghi sono intelligenti e studiati. Ho letto che molte persone trovano questa graphic novel confusionaria, ma per me non lo è stato. Penso solo che sia nell'intenzione dell'autore sfidare intellettualmente il lettore con riferimenti sparsi nel corso della storia a cui si deve prestare attenzione.
Il finale mi ha lasciato a bocca aperta e senza parole. Ho davvero adorato come gli avvenimenti si sono conclusi, e non dirò altro causa spoiler.
È un viaggio divertentissimo che mi ha stimolato a cercare risposte. Non vedo l'ora di leggere altre opere di questo autore.
July 19, 2021
Borja Gonzàlez ha creato una storia fatta di ambientazioni, dagli interni alla Hopper di una villa del 1856 alle pareti zeppe di poster punk di una sala prove del 2016.
La trama è semplice ed evocativa, ci sono due storie narrate in contemporanea, speculari, che mettono in parallelo il gotico e il punk attraverso tavole rigogliose e simmetriche. Un vero piacere per gli occhi.
Le prime dieci/venti pagine sono meravigliose, le più potenti e sognanti dell'opera.
Però, ci sono delle mancanze considerevoli.
Per prima cosa è facile confondere i personaggi visto che hanno una caratterizzazione fisica molto scarna (anche se le pose che assumono sono pressoché impeccabili; ricordano le modelle da rivista o ballerine di danza classica). Il senso dell'onirico sfuma lungo la narrazione perdendo il tono iniziale che era invece quello più adeguato per la scrittura di questa storia.
Infine, il difetto principale: è decisamente troppo breve.
Ci fossero state altre quaranta o cinquanta pagine in più l'autrice avrebbe avuto modo di approfondire il suo messaggio e spingersi oltre per creare qualcosa di più ambizioso e riuscito visto che le carte per alzare la posta c'erano tutte.
Spero che la Gonzàlez proponga qualcosa di più riuscito in futuro perché ha tutte le capacità per farlo.
La trama è semplice ed evocativa, ci sono due storie narrate in contemporanea, speculari, che mettono in parallelo il gotico e il punk attraverso tavole rigogliose e simmetriche. Un vero piacere per gli occhi.
Le prime dieci/venti pagine sono meravigliose, le più potenti e sognanti dell'opera.
Però, ci sono delle mancanze considerevoli.
Per prima cosa è facile confondere i personaggi visto che hanno una caratterizzazione fisica molto scarna (anche se le pose che assumono sono pressoché impeccabili; ricordano le modelle da rivista o ballerine di danza classica). Il senso dell'onirico sfuma lungo la narrazione perdendo il tono iniziale che era invece quello più adeguato per la scrittura di questa storia.
Infine, il difetto principale: è decisamente troppo breve.
Ci fossero state altre quaranta o cinquanta pagine in più l'autrice avrebbe avuto modo di approfondire il suo messaggio e spingersi oltre per creare qualcosa di più ambizioso e riuscito visto che le carte per alzare la posta c'erano tutte.
Spero che la Gonzàlez proponga qualcosa di più riuscito in futuro perché ha tutte le capacità per farlo.
October 19, 2022
ehh… just kinda didn’t make sense a majority of the time. should have been way longer
June 23, 2020
This is a graphic novel that bears repeat reads in quick succession. The first time I picked it up, the dual narrative didn't seem to gel in my head, at least not until right at the end. The second time I saw the connective tissue, understood the main thrust of this surreal story.
That being said, logical comprehension isn't essential here. A Gift for a Ghost is more concerned with emotions that echo across time, namely how it feels to be a misunderstood young woman. This suggests an uncanny empathy from Gonzalez, a male author. In fact the book had a similar authenticity to Daniel Clowes' Ghost World, especially in the meaningful use of quiet panels. No text, only posture.
I say posture as none of the characters in A Gift for a Ghost have a face. Some might argue that doing this reduces accuracy of feeling but Gonzalez makes good use of disjointed dialogue, clothing and setting. The colouring is understated and yet still dream-like when necessary.
Suffice to say, I was moved by A Gift for a Ghost in a way that means I will return to better appreciate it. I recommend it to graphic novel enthusiasts, especially within a Venn Diagram of punk girls and Bronte fans.
That being said, logical comprehension isn't essential here. A Gift for a Ghost is more concerned with emotions that echo across time, namely how it feels to be a misunderstood young woman. This suggests an uncanny empathy from Gonzalez, a male author. In fact the book had a similar authenticity to Daniel Clowes' Ghost World, especially in the meaningful use of quiet panels. No text, only posture.
I say posture as none of the characters in A Gift for a Ghost have a face. Some might argue that doing this reduces accuracy of feeling but Gonzalez makes good use of disjointed dialogue, clothing and setting. The colouring is understated and yet still dream-like when necessary.
Suffice to say, I was moved by A Gift for a Ghost in a way that means I will return to better appreciate it. I recommend it to graphic novel enthusiasts, especially within a Venn Diagram of punk girls and Bronte fans.
November 5, 2020
2,5⭐.
Bellissime illustrazioni, ho apprezzato molto i colori. È per queste che raggiunge le 3 stelle, secondo me.
Adoro le trame enigmatiche e piene di misteri, ma se costruite bene. Non è questo il caso. Qui non ci sono puntini da unire per arrivare ad una soluzione, ma solo notizie sparse, a volte anche senza senso ai fini della trama.
È un graphic novel che sicuramente fa discutere molto perché viene voglia di discuterne con altri lettori.
Bellissime illustrazioni, ho apprezzato molto i colori. È per queste che raggiunge le 3 stelle, secondo me.
Adoro le trame enigmatiche e piene di misteri, ma se costruite bene. Non è questo il caso. Qui non ci sono puntini da unire per arrivare ad una soluzione, ma solo notizie sparse, a volte anche senza senso ai fini della trama.
È un graphic novel che sicuramente fa discutere molto perché viene voglia di discuterne con altri lettori.
December 3, 2020
I liked it! A magical story that crosses time from 1856 to 2016. I think this is one of those stories that makes you question what happened the first time. I have theories and ideas about the plot and I liked that it was very open ended. On the flip side, it being so open to interpretation is kinda frustrating. Overall, cute and meta.
October 25, 2023
This graphic novel has a story from the past (1856) and one more recent (2016).
I was definitely more interested in the story in the past where one of the sisters writes poetry.
I liked the color palette of the illustrations (teal, coral, and black). But unfortunately I found some of the story a bit confusing to follow.
I was definitely more interested in the story in the past where one of the sisters writes poetry.
I liked the color palette of the illustrations (teal, coral, and black). But unfortunately I found some of the story a bit confusing to follow.
June 15, 2019
Gráficamente espectacular, la historia aunque interesante se me queda muy corta.
May 25, 2023
Dziwny, ale w dobry sposób. Jest jak ten moment letniego wieczoru, kiedy wszystko jest już szare, ale nie zapadła jeszcze ciemność.
December 7, 2020
¡Amé esta novela gráfica! El arte es simplemente impresionante; aunque los trazos parecen simples, las viñetas están llenas de detalles. Es como si mezclaras a Tom Gauld y Mike Mignola. Además, me parece un gran logro que, a pesar de no ponerles rostro a sus personajes, transmite muy bien las emociones a través de su lenguaje corporal. También logra crear una atmósfera melancólica-darks bastante emotiva.¡Y la paleta de colores es una auténtica belleza! En cuanto a la historia, me encantó cómo encuentra los vínculos entre lo victoriano y lo punk, explorando temas importantes como la amistad, la hermandad, la creatividad, la originalidad y la búsqueda de la identidad. ¡Y todos sus personajes son mujeres! Chulada.
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