V for Vendetta by Alan Moore, David Lloyd Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of V for Vendetta
Book Review: Hell freezes over: a movie beats an Alan Moore original!
Summary: 3 Stars
I brought the novel after seeing the film, although was tempted to do so before hand. To be honest this was a wise move as I doubt that I could have followed the novel without already knowing what was going on. In my opinion the artwork didn't help but this is very much a preference thing. The lack of sound effects in the boxes doesn't help matters and the device of using background TV noise 'over' an action sequence does not work on the page. I have also read comments about the poor representation of the Scots accent and must agree - this may be realistic but ends up irritating and to be honest unneccesary. Perhaps the biggest flaw of the book compared to the movie is that the original is outdated and based on naive concepts of nuclear war, as admitted by Moore himself. I never thought I'd say this about a graphic novel and it hurts to do so (while Moore die hards may well have their burning torches out) but see the movie instead. I wanted to give this a two but knocked it up to three as I felt dissappointment may have influenced my views.Book Review: A for Awesome
Summary: 4 Stars
V for Vendetta, now the 'movie' has come out, this book, to a certain extent has been slightly polluted, as the messages are, ultimatly different.
I'll focus on the book though. V for Vendetta was the first comic I'd read in about four years. I am a science fiction fan, but only at heart. I don't really read Asimov or Arthur C. Clark or anything. I tend to feel most sci-fi writers regard their work as 'high art' and it bothers me. There is often nothing I identify with in stories set in the future.
My favourite science fiction books are ones which manage to convincingly fighten me about my own enviroment and the direction it is headed in. My favourite book of this sort was Ninteen Eighty-four. It's so caustic in it's critique, and in my opinion extremly frightening too.
However, I don't really care very much about Winston Smith. I'm not that sold on the character. Sometimes I think it's Orwell's intention to show that there isn't really much character in anyone because individualism dosen't exist. But it always made it hard for me to really care much at the end (I don't want to spoil Ninteen Eighty-four for anyone because it's a cracking read and you should check it out too).
But where I don't like the characters in Ninteen Eighty-four, I love them in V for Vendetta. The opening scene alone is worth buying the book for. Moore sets up both the society and the two main characters instantenously. Unlike the film where Evey is out after the curfew and V beats up the police; the book tells a different story. Evey needs to prostitute herself upon turning eighteen as the state will no longer fend for her. When the police find her they are just about to rape her. V murders all of them and abducts Evey. It's much, much more ballsy than the film.
Also there's a cracking subplot which I like as much as the main story.
In terms of the art by David Lloyd, I didn't like it at all at first, it reminded me of Se7en or Max Ernst's work in tone. It's so bleak, but as I got into the story it became apparent that there would be no other way to draw the book. It is both consistant and dynamic.
Where many claim Watchmen to be their favourite book, I would disaggree. I think V for Vendetta infinitly superior. Where the ending of Watchmen is indeed brilliant (especially since the first five sixth of the book are very slow). V for Vendetta has amzing pace and structure that's so sophisticated I'm unable to explain it. Save to say that just when you absolutly have to know something important you turn the page and are reading it.
It is, hands down, one of the most fantastic reads I've ever had.
Book Review: It's okay...!
Summary: 1 Stars
Alan Moore has written an interesting tale - but, really, it's a variation on a theme that has been done before (hence the 1 star)! There are some great ideas (the design of the mask based upon Guy Fawkes; the 'Fingermen') but, once again, it has been all be done before in literature - I believe Moore has acknowledged Orwells strong influence on 'V for Vendetta'. It's an enjoyable read but nothing great.Book Review: More than just a story
Summary: 5 Stars
There are plenty of stories, film, television and literature that tell the story of a world where you're always being watched. But none achieves the level of though that V for Vendetta is able to do.
Acknowledging and referencing a large number of other works, Alan Moore not only conveys his ideas in an exciting and cinematic way (with help from David Lloyd's stunning art style), he is able to justify all of his ideas.
V for Vendetta is a story of a number of individuals that come together and collide to bring about a change in an apocalyptic Great Brittan. But it's not simply a story, but a story that is being used to make you think. Vendetta isn't great because of its narrative or suspenseful set piece but because of how it uses those to get you thinking about more important things.
True that it's not the most original piece of work story wise, but it tells its story in a special way and is the best of its kind as well as being a rarity in quality in the comic book genre.
Book Review: Maybe Too Late To Read
Summary: 4 Stars
I'll be swift as I only really have one major point to mention. Although this is a great story, well written, beautifully illustrated and enjoyable to read, I think that it has lost some of it's resonance, because it was written in the context of Thatcherism and the global New Right consensus.