V for Vendetta
written by Alan Moore and illustrated by David Lloyd
(my computer is angry and refuses to allow an image)
I admit that I was a little hesitant reading this because, to be perfectly honest, I did not like the movie at all- I felt completely confused and finished without really knowing what had just happened and why. When I saw the book assigned in my comics and sequential art class, I thought to myself, “Oh great, I get to spend even more time being confused by that stupid (expletive) story!”
Was the graphic novel as confusing as the movie?- No. Was it confusing in general?- Sort of. I feel like I got it… but maybe I missed something and didn’t really get it at all- which is completely possible.
Let’s see… can I explain the story? So, the book is set in a dystopian England in the future where there was some sort of concentration camp thing happening and now a corrupt theoretical body runs the government/ the media/ everything. A girl, desperate for money, tries to prostitute herself but the john ends up being a corrupt cop who means to rape her with his buddies and then kill her. BUT HAVE NO FEAR! A weirdo in a creepy mask kills them all and takes her back to his secret hangout where he only speaks to her in riddles, will not reveal his true identity, and goes on to murder a hell-of-a-lot of people who were either participants in this concentration camp where he was held in cell 5 (a roman numeral V) and caused some huge explosion and apparently has a beautiful face (maybe????), and won’t bang her but loves her and then tricks her, shaves her head, tortures her, and then is the hero because he is some existential dude who may or may not be who he says he is. Right. That aspect made me think of The Princess Bride- with the Dread Pirate Roberts. This might make sense to you if you are awesome.
I mean, here’s the thing- this book was fun to read and was an interesting story but (oh wait, let me re-write that for emphasis) BUT: WHO THE HELL DOES THIS GUY THINK HE IS???????? I get that he has a vendetta and all that but holy crap Evey!- Why are you spending time with this guy??? He’s withholding on every level! Ugh.
If you like graphic novels, this is a must to read. If you like books, I mean, sure, give it a try and see what you think. I think I enjoyed it just as much as I think I understood it- I think I did but I’m really not sure.
Eh? Where does the historical aspect of Guy Fawkes fit in? I thought this was a reimagining of real events? I haven't read or seen though...
ReplyDeleteKathleen: 1: V looks just like Fawkes. 2. V blows up parliament, which is what Fawkes intended, on the 5th of November, when Fawkes tried to do so as well. It's all about dissatisfaction with government and trying to do something about it.
ReplyDelete