V for Vendetta by Alan Moore, David Lloyd Summary and Reviews
|
Our Price: $74.98 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of V for Vendetta
Book Review: A Veritable Masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
I read the graphic novel after seeing the movie. I was impressed by the movie but felt it was a little shallow and too 'Hollywood' so I went straight to the source material to fill in the blanks. I must admit that I've never been a fan of Comics & had never read one as long as V for Vendetta. It took me a couple of chapters to get accustomed to the style but I was soon hooked & couldn't put it down.
Reading it did far more than 'fill in the blanks' from the movie as the central theme in the film is greatly sanitised & characters are over simplified or omitted altogether. I think this story is as relevant now as ever. Even though the Nuclear War theme has become dated, the political themes, values & attitudes towards terrorists (both V himself & the terrorists within authority) are very poignient to this day.
Of course there are some minor flaws, especially towards the start (Alan Moore admits this himself but did not wish to alter anything) but they do not detract from the work in any way. However, you really need to pay attention to small details in the artwork and to every single character. Some apparently minor characters become more important as the story continues & I found myself forgetting who people were from time to time.
The artwork is excellent and the somewhat minimalistic style adds greatly to the mood and atmosphere. None of the sound effects need words to describe them as the picture will tell you everything you need. Also the changing depiction of characters Evey & Finch shows their progression towards the people they finally become beautifully.
Basically this is 'must read' literature with a strong nod to George Orwell. The themes within have been covered many times before but not in this manner and rarely with such a combination of finesse and brutality. There's plenty of room to make up your own mind as to who is the Villain, Victim, Saviour, Madman etc. As Alan Moore states: I tell people to think. Not what to think.
Book Review: Good evening London. I thought it time we had a little chat
Summary: 5 Stars
The best graphic novel, and certainly a contender for the best novel, that I have ever read.
Alan Moore has created a masterpiece. It is, in a way, an anarchist Bible, and tells a tale of a war between Fascist authoritarianism and Anarchist terrorism. It brings to light that sometimes you do support the terrorist. V isn't a person, he is an idea, and the way, he speaks, the way he acts, are all philosophical and delve into life and ideas of government and freedom. This really shows the superiority of Moore's writing. The art is very interesting too, it is very dark and oppresive, and gives a lot to the book.
The film based on the book is also entertaining, but isn't as dark and intriguing as the original book.
Once again, absolutely brilliant, a book of philosophy, freedom, and the mind.
Book Review: Moore's 1984
Summary: 4 Stars
The premise of a right wing dictatorship watching every move was of course epitomised by Orwell's "1984" so it is ironic (but no coincidence?) that "V" is set in a similar era. This makes it a little bit dated now but it is still an intriguing read.
If you've seen the movie, then you know the story, as "V" is the only Moore-based movie that bears any resemblance to the novel - although set in a different era. The book is still much better.
Book Review: The FSFH Book Review says:
Summary: 5 Stars
To understand 'V For Vendetta', you have to understand the times in which it was written. Britain of the 1980s was wracked by recession and with discontent against the Conservative government. Hanging over this was the ever-present Cold War mentality.
The premise of this book is that the Conservative government are voted out (as Moore expected at the time, but which didn't come to pass) and the new Labour government insists on nuclear disarmament. So it is that when the Cold War becomes World War 3, Britain is uninvolved, but not unaffected.
As nuclear fallout affects the weather and radiation causes widespread death a fascist regime rises to offer England stability and order. The price for this is the internment and execution of blacks, homosexuals, liberals and all those who don't conform to the fascist ideals. The future Moore paints is a bleak and painfully believable one.
However, one man decides to destroy this new order so that freedom can be rebuilt from the rubble. The man is known only as V. When it comes down to it, V is the greatest element of this book. He's cultured, witty, mysterious, charismatic and ruthless. Also, David Lloyd's design of the character as a man dressed in a smiling mask and Guy Fawkes costume is inspired. My favourite bit of the book is when V sneaks into the home of a child-abusing bishop and confronts the corrupt clergyman with a Rolling Stones quote; 'Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth and taste'.
There are numerous other characters integral to the story; the widow Rose, forced to become a stripper; the Leader, an insane fascist in love with Fate, the computer which effectively controls England; as well as the various heads of the Party. However, there are two characters who reveal about V what he never reveals himself.
The first is Mr. Finch, a police officer tasked with hunting down V, who undertakes a personal quest to understand V's mind (which includes an LSD trip in a death camp).
The other character is Evey. At the beginning she is a helpless girl who turns to prostitution to make ends meet. However, after meeting V she begins an education at his hands in the meaning of freedom which breaks her and then remakes her.
At it's most basic level this book is about freedom, both personal freedom and freedom as an abstract concept. Dark, disturbing and thought-provoking, this book still manages to be exciting and uplifting. Certainly one of the best pieces of literature (not just comic-form) that I've ever read.
Book Review: Cracker!
Summary: 5 Stars
Back to graphic novels after a long absence, I had never read V before, but ordered a copy.
Lets just say I'm not often motivated enough by a book or CD to want to review it on Amazon, but this book does.
Absolutely superb read, complex story with super characters. Really couldn't put this one down.
After reading, immediately watched the movie which has had mixed reviews. In my view not a truly bad film at all, but a far cry from the book with some serious storyline changes. I mention this because if you have seen the film, dont let that cloud your judgement of whether to read the book.
The book is a lot more sinister - due to its age it actually carries a wonderful style - very Orwellian, very Brazil (The film, not the country!).
Please read, its well worth it.