Member Reviews
Beautifully illustrated, and peacefully crafted. The structure and aesthetics relating back to nature makes the reading of this graphic novel so calming.
Mirroring both physical seasons and the seasons of our emotional lives, Feelings is a beautiful graphic novel that explores the ups and downs of one's creative life amid seasonal affective disorder, self-doubt, and feelings of FOMO. The author's artwork is well-defined and uses color saturation that pairs with the emotions.
This was a great and quick read to talk about emotions and feelings related to the seasonal changes.
beautiful artwork that illustrates the struggle and ups and downs of mental health. very simple on the surface but the reader can definitely dive deeper into the work.
3.5 Stars ( I received an e-arc from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review)
I have had this arc for quite a while and just never got around to reading it. This was a cute graphic memoir detailing the struggle with seasonal depression and mental illness, the illustrations had bright colourful designs. It was a fun read but at the same time very basic.
I really liked this graphic novel. I would definitely use in the classroom to promote the recognizing of feelings.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley for my gifted e-copy, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
ALL. OF. THE. STARS.
This graphic novel is the graphic novel I have been waiting and dreaming of. The story follows a woman's journey through emotions, through the seasons. Each page is a true masterpiece of art, and something I would hang on my walls for all to see, and the writing style is so emotional and relatable. This is my first graphic novel I have been gifted through Netgalley that I am choosing to buy (I have probably read about 15 for context).
I think about the art often, and the storyline. As I read I found myself stuck on each page, unable to flip, because I just needed more time to take it in. I also found myself flipping back to see certain pages' artwork again.
Would recommend, would give to a friend (such a good gift idea), and would leave out on my coffee table to harrass my guests to flip through. BRB adding to cart.
This was such a unique graphic novel. Thapp really outdid herself on the artwork, there was so much detail and thought put into each frame, I had to look through multiple times so I did not miss anything. The art really set the mood for each season Thapp represented in this book, it almost felt like visual poetry. I would love to have Thapp's artwork on my walls at home as I loved it.
The story really complimented the artwork and I found myself feeling each emotion Thapp displayed in real time.I was also able to really empathize with the story as I found myself in these same situations. The only complaint I would have is that I would have loved for it to have been longer.
Overall if you love visual books, this one is a must.
'Feelings: A Story in Seasons' with story and art by Manjit Thapp is a graphic novel of one young woman's journey through the seasons and her own varied moods.
The six chapters represent 6 different seasons. The four I'm familiar with and Monsoon and Late Summer. As the seasons get darker and stormier, our protagonist slips in her mood. From outward and happy to inward and closed off. But Spring is coming.
This is a character we can all relate to. Not because we shift with the seasons, but because we all have our own inner seasons. If nothing else, this book shows that we all experience these things and that there is always hope.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Random House Publishing Group - Random House, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
I absolutely loved this. Manjit Thapp's art is gorgeous and so evocative. I love the concept of focusing on how the seasons affect our mood, because they definitely do. And Manjit Thapp does it so well in this book. Her art is really just unparalleled. And such beautiful colours too. I would buy any page from this book as a print. Can't recommend this highly enough, it's a quick read and it's just so well done.
The artwork is beautiful and has so much personality in it. I can picture this woman and what her daily life looks like. And how the struggles of anxiety are blended into the art and her daily life is a refreshing look at anxiety as a daily struggle, some days quiet and some days loud, It felt realistic and we moved through the seasons of her life and struggles.
The art style and colour palette in this book were absolutely stunning, but what I loved most of all was the way the changing seasons were used to illustrate an emotional journey. This book beautifully executed the feelings that many of us have as the year goes on and made me feel incredibly validated as a creative and as someone who has struggled through the winter months this year. I will certainly be recommending this one far and wide!
**Thank you to NetGalley, author Manjit Thapp, and Random House Publishing Group - Random House for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.**
4.5/5
This is a beautifully written and illustrated depiction of anxiety and seasonal changes in emotion. I could relate to some of the messages being presented within the story and the comic style format really helped emphasize the emotion created.
I LOVE how the illustrations' colors helped create the emotion. When things were feeling upbeat, happy, and proud, the colors were bright and inviting. Easy to find details. On the flip side, when things were sadder, unhopeful, and even trapped, the illustrations gave darker, less defined colors. I thought this was really smart and in tune with the emotion happening within the words.
I also appreciated the fluidity and connection between some of the panels. Especially in the brighter panels, Thapp connected the words with the illustrations - vines going through multiple panels, paint bleeding down gutters. This was really beautiful to see.
One thing I do wish was different is the font. I read an ARC of this, so it could be changed, but reading this on my Kindle, there were a few times that I had to try and decipher what the text was saying. Other than that, however, I think this is a beautifully crafted comic that covers a very important topic.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the Reader's Copy!
Now available!
I first came across Manjit Thapp's work on Instagram, instantly hooked by their atmospheric, moody & incredibly detailed work. As the years went by, Thapp became more recognized & I was extremely excited to read "Feelings". What I loved about this honest book is the way Thapp connects to nature via the repeating motif of light/sun & darkness/depression as well as plant life. Each drawing so carefully and beautifully constructed. Reading this book was almost like a mini therapy session!
When you combine elegant drawings and heartfelt prose, you get Manjit Thapp’s FEELINGS. It’s a non-traditional self-help book of sorts, articulating and validating personal experiences of anticipation, excitement, ennui, malaise, and everything in between. There’s no resolution, per se, only the confirmation that we’re human.
5 stars. What a wonderful collection of art and the wading through of emotions throughout seasons. Review to come.
Due to working as a high school teacher, I am often behind on reviews, but here are my initial thoughts. Book will be included in March 2021 wrap-up.
This book goes through the four seasons and we watch the main character’s changing moods throughout the seasons. I think the illustrations paired with the minimal text perfectly captured the highs of the warmer months and the seasonal depression that’s usually endured in the winter months. Although it may appear simple, Thapp is able to convey complex feelings of anxiety, depression, isolation, and retreat that takes place with friends, a job, and overall motivation. I absolutely loved the illustrations in this book and the use of colors added another layer to Thapp’s storytelling.
Overall, I enjoyed this read and it’s graphics though the story itself was a little underwhelming for me -- still, I think it’s one people can find solace or understanding with.
Thanks NetGalley and Random House for my copy!
Amazing art and beautiful throughout the book. The colors are amazing and the story is short but deep.
I’m so glad I waited to read this one because it’s exactly what I needed right now.
I’m familiar with Manjit Thapp’s work because she is the illustrator for another book I read last year, so I was excited to be picking up her book.
Feelings explores the cycle of anxiety and depression with the cycle of the seasons. Ranging from the feelings of possibility and energy of early summer to the heaviness and sadness that late winter brings, this book met me exactly where I am. This is such a personal memoir and yet it feels so personal to me as the reader as well. A reminder that I needed that spring, renewal, happiness, will be back soon enough. A reminder that what I’m feeling now is not permanent, I will not feel this way forever.
The illustrations of this graphic memoir are absolutely beautiful and lush. I love Thapp’s work and I love the way I always feel so connected and react emotionally to it. I’m a little sad I only have an eARC of this because I definitely want to own a physical copy!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this copy to review.
This was absolutely beautiful! I love the way the illustrations moved along with the seasons and the message of this was so uplifting. A true work of art.