An excellent and thoughtful book.

Looking at the world she describes as the landed aristocrats in Europe and their struggles with the increasingly frustrated and violent working class and the metamorphosis of America from a benign, inward-looking power to an aggressive and increasingly imperial one—it doesn’t take much to see similarities with today’s headlines. It seems all of a piece with some fin de si­ecle undercurrents: the turn of a century incites people to do bold or foolish things, and a new millenium perhaps more so.

I lost the thread of the narrative so the book wasn’t as satisfying as it could have been: the last section seemed almost ominous as I read through it. No spoilers - the chapter title tells all you need to know - but there’s so much more to it.

Fascinating look at two cultures (she calls them syndromes, which sounds too clinical/pathological) that make up human society: the merchant and the policeman as the commercial and guardian cultures.

A wonderful book. A great example of the power of the graphic novel: in Craig Thompson’s hands, a picture is worth more than a thousand words.

Funny, but still a ripping yarn.

An insightful look at life under a theocracy as well a gripping coming of age story, told with a lot of heart and honesty.

It’s been awhile since the well-being of fictional characters distracted me from my day. A substantial but rewarding book: full of visuals and clever, illustrative flourishes that aren’t just ornament.