"Mouthballs" by Sole Otero is a compelling exploration of identity, self-discovery, and the complexities of relationships. Otero's vivid storytelling and unique artistic style draw readers into the protagonist's journey of self-acceptance, as they navigate the challenges of adolescence and the discovery of their own sexuality. The graphic novel skillfully addresses important themes with a blend of humor, vulnerability, and poignant moments. Otero's character development is rich and authentic, making "Mouthballs" a relatable and thought-provoking read that resonates with the universal struggles of finding one's voice and place in the world. The artwork complements the narrative, adding depth to the emotional nuances of the story. Overall, "Mouthballs" is a commendable work that captivates readers with its sincerity and artistry.

I enjoyed this a lot (if enjoying is the right word). It's a moving family story, told through lovely art - I especially liked the larger drawings with characters moving from space to space.

I'm still not sure what the little smiley bouncy mothballs were all about.

This graphic novel had an interesting story line. I enjoyed the dual timeline aspect of this book. However, the art style was not for me. I did not appreciate nudity in this graphic novel. I felt very bad for the grandma as we learned her story but I did not connect with the granddaughter who was telling the story. Hence my two star rating. Thanks for a copy of this book.

Since this was a partial version of the book, where it cuts/ends as far as I read the copy, seems like it hangs rather than answers everything that was laid out so far. There were side characters & smaller conflicts that I thought would be explored more, but it just hangs midway. So, that's probably why: the different version we receive.

Anyway, this review will be based on the 205 pages we get to read. First, the choice of cursive handwriting-like font was quiteeee a headache. Although the art style & color palette works well, maybe not the typography. So hard to read I had to keep pinching my screen in & out to zoom. Story wise, this book explores a lot of family conflict but everything feels... unresolved. These are not lovable characters, mind you, all of them are. And it explores topic like rape, sexual assault, family trauma and poor bond, trans life. So.. lots to unpack yet many left unexplained. Overall.. I would love to know more, but it was kinda frustrating to follow through? The ending doesn't satisfy the despair that the book has cost me.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for allowing me this eARC to review!

Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy!

Annoyingly, my digital copy only included the first 200 pages so I only know the first half of the book. From what I read, I think I liked the book! It was confusing the way it narrated using "you" while speaking of the past. I couldn't always tell who it referred to. I think it would've cleared up more by the end, but I can't speak to that yet.

I liked the coloring and style. And the way the panels tracked the various rooms and character motion throughout.

I loved the art style and the topics of grief, family relationships and hidden trauma. But it felt super slow and very eh. I feel a lot of graphic novels struggle with pacing, and fleshing out so much in such little time. This felt very underwhelming, it felt like pieces were missing and there wasn't really enough time to care about these characters. I found many panels hard to read, being both a combination of the font/script used and the layout as a digital book.

This read starstruck me in ways I don’t even understand. There’s a lot of generational grief underlying (barely, it’s very forefront if you look hard enough) that I do understand and a lot that I couldn’t possibly ever grasp. I think it was almost uncomfortable at times with how the illustrations depict the ever lasting loss. But beautiful in a sense that this is so realistic and broken. Something so many will connect with.

**I received an ARC** I look forward to reading the rest when able because the first 200 pages are fabulous. We get to go along with Rocio as she reflects on her grandmothers life and how that has affected her. It shows us generation to generation how women have been taught to be less and accept what they’re given until we have a family curse breaker. Rooting for Rocio in the second half.

I really enjoyed the visual style of this graphic novel: the vibrant colors, the details in the background of the panels. The beginning setup of the story is compelling as I was immediately curious about the relationship between Rocio and her grandmother, who has recently passed away. I anticipated following Rocio's journey as she uncovered family secrets, establishing her own identity in the process. However, the narrative is much looser than this, giving much less of a firm narrative than I would like. The characters remained frustratingly lacking in self-awareness, making it difficult to sympathize even when we learned some of the reasons for their behavior--in particular Vilma, Rocio's grandmother.
I most wanted to know about Rocio's great-uncle Antonio and her best friend, though these characters appear relatively briefly in the story. I was intrigued enough to keep reading, but felt the narrative left open more questions than it answered, sort of trailing off rather than bringing things to a conclusion.

A story about a woman in Argentina who inherits her grandmother's house when she passes away. The granddaughter then discovers her diary and learns about what a troubled life she led. The art style in this was just plain fugly. Everyone was drawn to look like Lurch from <i>The Addams Family</i> including the women. The story also makes the cardinal sin of using cursive in the lettering. It's so freaking hard to read. It always pulls me out of the story as I'm just trying to decipher the text in each panel.

Rocio moves to the house of her dead grandmother, Vilma, and discovers all the painful memories that the woman had left.

The story is dark and sad and this emerge in the artwork. Almost as if the author wanted to arouse a sense of oppression in the reader.

However, the story unites two women who at first seem completely different but actually are very similar. Both independent, ambitious and strong.

Mothballs is a very particular graphic novel that deals with sensitive topics (such as abuse).
The important thing is that it teaches you to never judge a person only by their appearance because there is much more hidden underneath.
Vilma at the beginning appears as a woman hated by everyone but almost no one knows her background and what she had to go through.
Overall it was a great read that I would recommend.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the Fantagraphics Books for letting me read this title in exchange for my feedback.

This was different than what I was expecting. It was an interesting story that I read in one sitting, but the end felt so rushed. I also think the choice of cursive font made the book hard to read at times. I'm curious if this will be a series or just standalone. I want more of Antonio!

Thank you to NetGalley and Fantagraphics Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I absolutely adore graphic novels and find the format to be great for memoirs, so this book was right up my alley.

To begin with, this book is HEAVY. Physically, it's only a few hundred pages, but mentally and emotionally, this is a rough book to finish. I knew that it dealt with heavy themes going in, but unlike other books that deal with similar subjects, the only reprieve you get is saying "oh look, a cat," every fifty pages.

Speaking of finishing the book, though, NetGalley ARC readers are only given the first 200 pages of a 336 page book, so I find it very difficult to properly review this story.

Pro: The art-style and color palette were both unique, and I really enjoyed that aspect!
Con: The cursive was really hard to read on my phone, I wish this had been available to read through it on my desktop. I'm not sure if that would have helped but maybe?
Pro: This was my first book I've ever read set in 20th and 21st century Argentina, and I really enjoyed venturing into the culture and rich history of the country and the family in the story

If I'm able to read this book once it's released, I can read the full book and update my review. I didn't want to select any stars, since I'm unable to properly judge the full book without the ending.
NetGalley says I have to, so I'll do it in the middle at 3 stars.

CW:
- parental abuse
- rape
- homophobic slurs
- gaslighting
- homophobic violence
- sexual violence

The illustrations in the graphic novel are striking and original. This is a moving family story with a unique presentation. Recommend.

Mothballs by Sole Otero is a thought-provoking graphic novel that throws light on a patriarchal society. The story moves between past and present, telling us how a family settled themselves in an unknown land. Although the graphics were a little bit confusing for me, But the real story is when you reach halfway through the book. I liked the mix of different cultures, LGBT people, and sexual violence. The book ends on a beautiful note of love and acceptance. Definitely, the book deserves 4 stars.

I thought the story was interesting here and wanted to like it more but the art style was off putting for me. It’s one of the dangers of graphic novels - while art can enhance your response to a story, it can always draw you away from it. There’s nothing wrong with the art; it’s just not a style I like, and a result I ended up feeling distanced from the story.

This is a beautifully illustrated story about a girl stepping into the life of her grandmother as she works to break free from the familial cycle of pressure and following the advice of those who "know best." I was captivated by the first 200 pages and wish that the full text was available!

3.5 stars. Thank you netgalley and fantagraphic books, for an arc to review.

Normally I don’t read graphic novels but recently I have been wondering if I could like them if they were in a more literary genre. I found this one on netgalley and liked the cover art and was also intrigued as it was translated from Argentina and I also like South American literature.

And while I did like it I just don’t think for me personally a graphic novel can really do what a novel can. My favorite bits were the scenes without words and the art carried the story forward. These were the most powerful and I feel out of the story When I am reading constant dialogue. I did like the ending. Also I did find some of the cursive hard to read, though I feel that might be side effect of reading to on my phone. Hopefully it is larger and clearer in the printed text.

"Mothballs" by Sole Otero unfolds as a poignant family saga that bridges the generational gap between grandmother and granddaughter. Set against the backdrop of Buenos Aires in 2001, the narrative follows the life of Vilma, whose passing brings forth a cascade of curiosity from her 19-year-old granddaughter, Rocio.

The conspicuous absence of friends and relatives at Vilma's funeral becomes the catalyst for Rocio to explore the depths of her family's history. As she moves into her grandmother's home, the narrative weaves seamlessly between early 20th-century Italy and 21st-century Argentina. Otero crafts a poetic comparison between the lives of these two strong-willed and ambitious women, both grappling with societal expectations and familial pressures.

The novel delves into the complex dynamics of the family, revealing a history shrouded in tragedy. Vilma and Rocio, separated by time but connected by their shared determination, face the challenge of forging their paths amidst societal norms. The narrative explores the theme of women seeking autonomy in the face of constraints, highlighting the resilience and courage required to break free from predetermined paths.

Otero's storytelling is marked by rare nuance and sensitivity, capturing the multifaceted layers of familial relationships. The graphic novel format adds a visual dimension to the narrative, allowing for moments of tenderness, vulnerability, and whimsy to shine through amidst the pain. Otero's artistry serves as a tour de force in the global comics scene, showcasing her talent in conveying complex emotions and intricate family dynamics.

"Mothballs" is not just a tale of familial struggle; it's a testament to the strength of women navigating through the complexities of their respective eras. As Rocio seeks to understand and break free from the chains of history, the novel becomes a powerful exploration of identity, resilience, and the indomitable spirit that connects generations. Sole Otero emerges as a major talent in the world of comics, leaving an indelible mark with this emotionally charged and visually stunning narrative.

✨ARC Review✨

📚Mothballs by Sole Otero📚

In life, we are so easy to judge everyone without even knowing the true character of a person. This story follows a gril named, Ro, as she slowly opens a story about her grandmother — who recently passed away. It was captivating and heartwarming. This is such a wonderful story that captivated my heart. The illustrations were not the same as the modern mangas I read but it took me back to the earlier years. It was nostalgic and the story is contemporary that many of us can relate to.

Thank you Netgalley and Fantagraphics for this ARC!