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Lola
Jesse sees dead people, monsters, demons, and lots of other things that go bump in the night that no one else can see. No one except his ailing grandmother - a woman who used her visions to help those living in her small town... the same rural community in all the scary stories Jesse's heard as a child. Man-eating ogres in trees. Farmhouses haunted by wraiths. Even pigs po...more
Hardcover, 112 pages
Published
January 1st 2010
by Oni Press
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2.5 stars
I liked this, but it seemed a bit simplistic, both in story and art. I have hopes that another volume will flesh out the story a bit more.
I felt like there were missed opportunities for Torres to convey, particularly through art, the main character's mixed feeling about visiting the Philippines and dealing with his Lola's death instead of, as usual, including food and weather references (pancit, lechon, "Don't forget to put down the mosquito net) to give the work surface, non-threatenin...more
I liked this, but it seemed a bit simplistic, both in story and art. I have hopes that another volume will flesh out the story a bit more.
I felt like there were missed opportunities for Torres to convey, particularly through art, the main character's mixed feeling about visiting the Philippines and dealing with his Lola's death instead of, as usual, including food and weather references (pancit, lechon, "Don't forget to put down the mosquito net) to give the work surface, non-threatenin...more
Jesse is making his third visit to the Phillipines, to the countryside where his parents grew up, this time for the funeral of his Lola, or grandmother. He's perhaps a pre-teen, maybe a little younger or older, and made skittish by the ghosts and monsters his Filipino cousins and uncle repeatedly mention. Skittish, but he's also curious and maybe a little relieved that someone somewhere has stories that help him understand the strange things he's seen and felt -- things that aren't easily explai...more
Reason for Reading: This was a Cybils '10 nominee and as a panelist for Graphic Novels was required reading for me. The panelists did not receive a review copy from the publisher and like most other panelists, I, unfortunately, was unable to find a copy before our nominations were due. My copy from Interlibrary Loan request had just now come in.
This is a great ghost story told in the classic tradition and very worthy to be read by all ghost story aficionados. Jesse sees dead people, goblins, dem...more
This is a great ghost story told in the classic tradition and very worthy to be read by all ghost story aficionados. Jesse sees dead people, goblins, dem...more
Cut-and-pasted from my blog:
“Lola” is the Tagalog word for grandma, and preteen Jesse’s Lola has just died, prompting him to return to his parents’ home in the Philippine countryside to bury her. His Lola had a special power, a sort of mysterious second sight that allowed her to see ghosts, visions and the occasional supernatural monster. Jesse has inherited the ability, but he’s not terribly happy about it, given that the visions tend not to be a whole heck of a lot of fun and his parents, teac...more
“Lola” is the Tagalog word for grandma, and preteen Jesse’s Lola has just died, prompting him to return to his parents’ home in the Philippine countryside to bury her. His Lola had a special power, a sort of mysterious second sight that allowed her to see ghosts, visions and the occasional supernatural monster. Jesse has inherited the ability, but he’s not terribly happy about it, given that the visions tend not to be a whole heck of a lot of fun and his parents, teac...more
The Publisher’s Comments for Lola : A Ghost Story make this graphic novel sound more atmospheric than it really is. I mean, the idea that Jesse sees dead people alone makes for creepy idea. And it is disturbing when it happens (when you realize it is happening). But overall, I was hardly frightened. What it was though, was compelling.
Jesse’s grandmother has died, bringing his family to her farmhouse in the Philippines for the funeral, a place haunted by the stories his uncle and cousin insist on...more
Jesse’s grandmother has died, bringing his family to her farmhouse in the Philippines for the funeral, a place haunted by the stories his uncle and cousin insist on...more
I found this graphic novel on the shelves of my library. I thought the cover and title looked interesting. I was right. this story follows a kid going with his parents to the Philippians for his Grandmother (Lola) funeral. The kid can see ghost and other supernatural beings. It's a gift that he shares with his Lola.
The art is beautiful. It's a cartoony style that flows well. It feels like you might be watching a Saturday morning cartoon, but one that is a little more mature and serious than what...more
The art is beautiful. It's a cartoony style that flows well. It feels like you might be watching a Saturday morning cartoon, but one that is a little more mature and serious than what...more
Again, this is exactly the kind of book I want to read more of. I LOVED this book.
The story doesn't actually revolve around Lola, who is the deceased grandmother of our hero of the story, but in a way, she is the beginning and end of it all the same. Jesse lives in america, but when they travel home to visit relatives in the phillipines, he begins to experience what is already common for him- the ability to see and interact with ghosts. Jesse has to really weigh how much of this he's going to l...more
http://www.owltellyouaboutit.com/posts/lola/
I saw this at the library while browsing through the graphic novels and just decided to pick it up. I didn’t go into it with many expectations, but I did think Lola would play a larger part of the story. She wasn’t even the ghost that was haunting Jesse.
I thought this book was a little creepy. The story about Lola’s mother was so weird, but apparently that’s why Lola and Jesse have their abilities. It really freaks him out though. He has a hard time de...more
I saw this at the library while browsing through the graphic novels and just decided to pick it up. I didn’t go into it with many expectations, but I did think Lola would play a larger part of the story. She wasn’t even the ghost that was haunting Jesse.
I thought this book was a little creepy. The story about Lola’s mother was so weird, but apparently that’s why Lola and Jesse have their abilities. It really freaks him out though. He has a hard time de...more
Jesse sees ghosts and has visions, just like his grandmother. After his grandmother dies, Jess travels to the Philippines for her funeral. There, he is haunted by the past and begins to learn to make peace with it when his cousin finds out his secret.
The story relies on Philippine folklore and has a lot of good creepy moments. It has a steady pace to it, allowing each scene to unfold from frame to frame without needing to explain too much or rush the process.
The one bad thing was that there was...more
The story relies on Philippine folklore and has a lot of good creepy moments. It has a steady pace to it, allowing each scene to unfold from frame to frame without needing to explain too much or rush the process.
The one bad thing was that there was...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Jesse goes to the Phillipines with his parents to visit his family and for his grandmother's funeral. When he arrives he finds himself dealing with seeing the ghost of his cousin JonJon and other things that go bump in the night. His grandmother also saw ghosts and omen's and there are lots of stories about how she benefited the family but Jesse is afraid to tell anyone b/c he knows people will think he is crazy, especially once they are back home.
The story ends on a cliff hanger with Jesse see...more
The story ends on a cliff hanger with Jesse see...more
The story about Jesse whose on a family vacation visiting his uncle in the Philippines, where he learns that he has a supernatural connection with his deceased grandmother. The story focuses a lot on the cultural differences between Jesse's family in Canada and the Philippines, including the acceptance of unusual gifts. I felt that story faltered between being a slice of life story and a ghost story without doing either fully. Plus the ending did not to fit the tone of the rest of the story bein...more
Of course the kid with different hair is special! I enjoyed the mix of myths and faith.
In Lola,using Jesse, Torres and Or showed the passage of accepting your differences, and instead of seeing them as a curse, to see them as a gift. Jesse is reminded of his special grandma, Lola, when he goes to her funeral. Told stories from family tell of her powers, to see visions and truth, he is reminded of how uncomfortable he feels being like her. But his cousin makes him see that it is helpful, even i...more
In Lola,using Jesse, Torres and Or showed the passage of accepting your differences, and instead of seeing them as a curse, to see them as a gift. Jesse is reminded of his special grandma, Lola, when he goes to her funeral. Told stories from family tell of her powers, to see visions and truth, he is reminded of how uncomfortable he feels being like her. But his cousin makes him see that it is helpful, even i...more
In Lola: A Ghost Story, Jesse sees things, unusual things. When he goes back to the Philippines for his grandmother's funeral, he learns that he may have inherited his 'gift' from her.
I really loved the illustrations in this. They're monochromatic and simple but really effective. The story itself was really moving and interesting too - a good story of family and the things that you may or may not want to accept.
It's classified as a children's graphic novel, but I think it's a good read for any...more
I really loved the illustrations in this. They're monochromatic and simple but really effective. The story itself was really moving and interesting too - a good story of family and the things that you may or may not want to accept.
It's classified as a children's graphic novel, but I think it's a good read for any...more
Simple yet effective illustrations in sepia tones accent the the story of a young Fillipino-Canadian who is travelling to the Phillipines with his family. We also learn that there was a family tragedy and that he has a "special gift". The book is full of mysticism as it discusses creatures like the Manananggals(vampire-like creature) and the Tiyanak (evil creature disguised as a baby). The book ends with a complete cliff-hanger which will be a turn off for man readers.
It took me more than half of the book to realize that the main character wasn't just emo for no reason, but that he was emo because he could see certain things. The story is ok, but not super original, although it does add in some interesting Filipino culture. The ending was cryptic, but I can't tell if there is a sequel or not.
A quick read, but not one I'd read multiple times.
Also, why is the grandmother's ghost on the cover? She has nothing to do with the story.
A quick read, but not one I'd read multiple times.
Also, why is the grandmother's ghost on the cover? She has nothing to do with the story.
This book has fine artwork, it isn't spectacular, but it isn't boring or rehashed either. The storytelling is also fine, although the story is far more interesting than what is left on the page. And the ending is not adequate. Plus, it does the thing I hate most on endings; it puts a question mark after “The End.” AGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
an interesting take on a coming-of-age story. there's a lot to love about this book. lots of stories. you get to learn a little bit of Tagalog. pleasing illustrations. much like any adolescent, Jesse is trying to come to terms with himself. he just happens to be more unique, in a way he shares with nobody. for kids, it would be mildly scary, but not too-scary. definitely an interesting story.
Pre-teen Jesse and his family visit their Philippine ancestral home for the funeral of Jesse's grandmother Lola. While there, Jesse begins to see and communicate with ghosts, just as his grandmother before him. A conversation with a late cousin shapes much of this tale of self-discovery and familial exploration. Elbert Or's art perfectly complements Torres' insightful script for the engaging Lola.
Oni Press is always releasing quality graphic novels since I can remember (they've been around since I was seven, so yeah), and Lola is certainly one of them. It is a ghost story for people who don't like ghost stories; a supernatural tale for fans of human stories in strange scenarios like Natsume Yuujinchou or Kieli that is never overwhelmed by the presence of ghosts to the point of becoming pure fantasy. Not like there's anything wrong with one hundred percent fantasy, but at the heart of Lol...more
A cool graphic novel set in the Philippines about a Canadian-Filipino boy (about 12 or so) going back for his grandmother’s funeral and discovering he has the sight, and seeing mysterious things. I like the soft brown colored illustrations and the story but the last panel is a doozy! I would say it was good for kids but again that last panel is brutal so I can see why it is cataloged YA.
Almost a five. Unflinchingly child-centered without being cutesy or too smart or really too anything. About life and superstitions of a foreign country without being patronizing or commodifying. About family without being particularly sentimental. And as I am quickly becoming a conniseur of monster drawings, the monster drawings were great too. Don't let the cover fool you, this was great.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
So the art was good but the story...kinda flat. It was suppose to be a ghost story and sure there were ghosts but it wasn't that interesting. It also suffered from the dreaded quick change. Yes, graphic novel is a visual medium but that doesn't mean you can quickly change scenes without letting the reading now where you've moved to, forward, back, alternate reality. I know graphic novels are their own thing but the rules still need to be followed. All and all it was okay.
Linda novela que más que asustar, te envuelve en el entrañable personaje de Jess que no sabe si su don es un problema o una maldición o una bendición como lo era el de su abuela.
A veces las cosas no son como las recordamos, o como creemos que las recordamos.
Pero siempre son como las creemos.
A veces las cosas no son como las recordamos, o como creemos que las recordamos.
Pero siempre son como las creemos.
Quite good. The limited color palette doesn't overpower the artist's lovely lines, and the graceful style enhances the slightly surreal atmosphere that the story suggests. Makes me think of Tonoharu - similar stranger in a strange land thing, similar subdued colors, similar self-assured artistic ability.
Not nearly as good as I thought it was going to be. It stated out like it was going to be a good book a the story went on it never seemed to go anywhere and it was boring. I'm just glad that it was short so I didn't have to keep reading. The drawings were very well done though.
Moving character work and truly beautiful artwork. This book was earning a five-star rating... until the VERY LAST PAGE which was stupid, unnecessary, heavy-handed, and out of left field. Totally ruined my enjoyment of the rest of the book, which I had loved up to that point.
Grandmothers have multiple names, but one function. Lola, in this version, is just another super-hero. I wish that graphic-novels would grow up. I guess they have, but these ridiculous tales still survive: More's the pity. Skip this one if you are wise.
I found this book really cryptic and didn't realize that Jesse was "seeing things" until the middle. I feel like the plot was a little vague, and well, it wasn't really much of a plot at all? It seems to be set up for a sequel with the open ended ending.
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Elbert Or graduated from the Ateneo Manila University with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. He is currently working as a freelance writer and illustrator for various publications and organizations.
He still dabbles in comics creation on occasion, with a number of comics endeavors on his slate, including Cherry Blossom High (as writer), Nautilus Comics‘ teen-oriented comic book series Cast (as...more
More about Elbert Or...
He still dabbles in comics creation on occasion, with a number of comics endeavors on his slate, including Cherry Blossom High (as writer), Nautilus Comics‘ teen-oriented comic book series Cast (as...more
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Jan 12, 2011 10:16am