Mothballs is easily the most beautiful graphic novel I've ever read. The art was a pleasant juxtaposition to what was actually at times a difficult read about the curses of generational trauma. I was really captivated by the tragedy that was Vilma's story, but found that I was less interested in what was happening with Ro.

I finished what was provided in the ARC, which is apparently only the first 2/3 of the novel, and I feel like splitting it for advance readers was a disservice because I can't give the most accurate review or rating since the story is so unfinished in my experience. I was left with an abrupt ending that is leaving me wanting for more, specifically when it comes to Ro's somewhat undeveloped (so far) character.

Mothballs stood out immediately due its superlative illustration style. The colour stories were vibrant and juxtaposed with endless patterns told such an impactful story. It effectively captured subtext and psychology through the illustrations. The amount of planning and scene breakdowns that go into making a graphic novel brings to mind all the days we spent in film school doing shot breakdowns.

This is a story of an estranged relationship between grandmother and grand daughter which unravels once the grandmother has passed away and the grand daughter and our protagonist, Ro moves into her grandmother's house. Ro initially remembers the horrid encounters she had had with her grandmother over varied things, may that be the clothes she wore, her feminist outlook or her calling as a photographer. These had led Ro to stop talking and visiting her grandmother and now having seen her sparse funeral and moving into her house, Ro can't help but discover the minutiae of her grandmother's life that made her the way she was.

Ro whilst cleaning her grandmother's house, finds her memories returning to her. Those in which her grandmother loved and spoilt her, those in which she had travelled with her and unexpectedly come to face the reality that her grandmother had been sexually assaulted. This adds to Ro's intensive need to establish what truly happened to her grandmother. It starts with her great grandparents who fled Italy to Buenos Aires, to World War 2, an alcoholic father, forced marriage to a neighbourhood boy and the bitterness of each misfortune.

A raw story of two women coming-of-age in two different eras and worlds. It is packed with great writing and immaculate visuals. Highly recommend!

Thank you Fantagraphics and NetGalley for the ARC.

Well, that was depressing. Story wise, this was heavy and sad and hard to get through. I'm not sure if the story was based on the real lives of the author's family, but it felt that way. I didn't like any of the characters, and while I was sad for how circumstances shaped them, everyone was so selfish and cruel to each other that I left the story feeling sick to my stomach and all around depresso-espresso.

The stars come for the art style, though. I was surprised by a few nude images, so just a heads up for readers. But this was styled so beautifully, and the colors and creativity that went into it took my breath away. I love it when graphic novels really play into their medium. This story wouldn't have worked the same if told in any other format, which is important, in my opinion, to having a great graphic novel. I enjoyed just gazing at the art work, even while the story ripped my heart out and stomped on it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc.

Thanks to NetGalley and Fantagraphics for this ARC!

I feel like I say this every time I review a graphic novel, but I am a sucker for beautiful illustrations. I am even more of a sucker for illustrations that help guide a story, which I can definitely say these did! They fit the vibes of the story that was being told, which is very important. Also, the color choices for the illustrations were perfect, as they also set the tone for the story being told.
Besides the illustrations, the story was impactful, in the grief that I felt from reading it. A lot was unpacked within this graphic novel. I would say that is something to watch for going into reading it. Otherwise, it is an absolutely stunning graphic novel.

I was originally attracted to this graphic novel because of its appealing art style. It was very difficult to reas the cursive text in this galley.

I loved the style of this graphic novel, the design choices really helped to convey the emotions intended. Generational trauma is a difficult topic and I think the author and illustrator covered it quite well, 4.5 stars!

Oh the generational trauma and grief. This graphic novel deals with a lot of heavy topics sometimes all at once. Reading it in a graphic novel format made it easier for me to digest with still understanding the impact this had on the grandmother and in turn Rocio. I definitely wanted more from the ending. I loved the artwork but the cursive writing made it hard for me to read even with zooming in. Definitely check trigger warnings before picking this up.

This was a very fascinating read. The art style is unique and striking and the coloring is so beautiful. The translator, Andrea Rosenberg, did a great job as well! Sometimes books that are translated feel a bit off, but that is not the case with this book! Had I not known it was a translation, I would have assumed it was originally written in English.

This graphic novel is not a lighthearted read. The topics covered are heavy, raw, and don’t have clean solutions. This story circles around unmet expectations/dreams and the impact that those things can have on human connection. Otero does a great job of telling a story that feels so human and realistic.
The artwork truly conveys the emotion of the story. The use of two page spreads was so well done and often took my breath away.

The ending felt rather abrupt. While I’m sure that was intentional, I can’t help but wish for just a little more resolution or sense of hope. Still a great read, but I don’t recommend it if you are the time of reader that needs clean endings.

Thank you to NetGalley and Fantagraphics Books for the ARC.

This was a little slow-going in the opening pages, but soon picked up steam once Otero moved into the grandmother and the parallels between their lives. I'm somewhat torn on the art style as it does somewhat resemble the nondescript blobbed illustrations that have been prevalent across advertising campaigns in recent years. On the other hand, the coloring is gorgeous and helps to define the characters. I will not personally be purchasing this for the library, but it is a worthwhile read.

Buenos Aires, Argentina, is the setting for this graphic novel that begins with a couple escaping Mussolini's fascist Italy. The male was a communist – a political persuasion not to the liking of Il Duce. We then follow the family for three generations in Buenos Aires. Following the woman’s death in 2001, her granddaughter attends the funeral and moves into the home left to her by her grandmother. This story draws parallels in the lives of grandmother and granddaughter.

We learn about familial stories involving sexual violence, homosexuality, misogyny and betrayals of trust. This is grim reading, and the art reflects this. There is a dark foreboding displayed in the artwork here – minimal colours used, characters have large bodies and small heads, there are menacing shadows, fleas and no joy. I felt it suffocating.

There is certainly generational grief going on – keeping in mind the grandparents moved to Argentina during a violent time in history, and in 2001 Argentina was experiencing one of its economic slumps. Life is hard.

The only issues I had with this work was the writing was sometimes difficult to read, even magnified, the cursive was tricky to decipher. I also found the transition between timelines confusing at times.

But overall, this was a worthwhile read that sustained my attention throughout. I will give this 3.5 stars, rounded up for the artwork and characters.

I thoroughly enjoyed the journey we took with Ro, who is processing her grief through reflections on her grandmothers life. her attempt to understand her grandmothers actions and attitudes is deeply relatable to anyone who has ever experienced a complex relationship with a family member. My one detractor here is that a big portion of the text is written in a font that was very difficult to read (at least on my iPad, not certain if this would be improved in print). The font is aesthetically pleasing, but very small, smushed together, and cursive, which had me zooming in to the point of pixelation, even as someone with relatively good eyesight. I would still recommend this read (at least the portion I was given, it seems maybe netgalley didn’t provide the whole book from looking at other reviews?) despite this issue but would be amiss if I didn’t point out the accessibility issue there.

The art was beautiful and the storylines heartbreaking. Using a dual timeline format Mothballs tells the stories of Ro who has just moved into her grandmother's old house and the pressure she's experiencing from those closest to her in parallel with her family history centered around her grandmother. Ro had a complicated, and overwhelmingly not positive relationship with her grandmother and over the course of the book evaluates how the misdeeds of her grandmother's life may have shaped her. Ro is trying to ask an age old question - can you forgive mistreatment if the methods have been taught? A little bit heavy, but incredibly relatable, this book explores grief, regret, anger and sadness.

I enjoyed this a lot. While it was a unique situation I loved the way that you could find yourself or someone you know in any of the characters. The art style is also insanely captivating, and unique in a way I’ve never seen. After reading I went on a deep dive of this artist’s work because I was so hungry for more.
One thing that I really loved was how accessible this was to me. I am not a Latina woman, so I am not as familiar with some of the cultural things. Having the footnotes in this book made it so much easier than having to put it down, search the meaning, and go back to reading. I got to stay immersed the entire time!
I only got to see the first 200 pages, but I am very excited for the rest!

A woman inherits her grandmother’s house and in it, haunted by her grandmother and the way they left their relationship before she died, she uncovers her family’s sad history. A quick sad read. Very engaging style, one of my fave graphic novels of the year.

This graphic novel was about growing up and figuring out who you are based on who your family was. How you were shaped as a person based on your families choices. The story told is heart wrenching but also real and important to understand. The illustrations and the colour palette chosen by Sole Otero was able to bring the story alive, making it that much more impactful.

Great imagery and depth
A swirling complicated story of family life, tragedy and redemption. I feel the battle with the cat was symbolic with the main characters struggles and I loved that it kept popping up. Well worth a read.
#Mothballs #NetGalley

I had conflicting thoughts on this, but overall, it was emotional, touching, and moving. I enjoyed the aspect of following a family for three generations in Buenos Aires. While the illustrations were minimal, the writing was a bit tough to read.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with access to read this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Fantagraphics Books for this Arc!

Now this ARC is only the first two thirds of this graphic novel.

3.5 Stars rounded up to 4
I found the first two thirds of this graphic novel heartbreaking. It flips back and forth between present time and back to the MC’s great grandmother, and grandmother. The MC is telling us her great grandmother and grandmother ( on her fathers side) life story, at least of what she knows of it, while she’s trying to settle into her grandmother's home after her grandmother's death. So far it shows family trauma repeating throughout the family tree, and the MC is afraid she is turning into her grandmother.

There is a lot of cursive writing in this graphic novel, and as someone who has written and read cursive since childhood, I found it difficult to read at times.
The art style isn't normally one I find myself drawn to, but I found it really fit this story, and I ended up enjoying it greatly.

Thank you to NetGalley and Fantagraphics for this ARC. My review is 100% my own.

Set to release in August of 2024, Mothballs is a beautiful graphic novel set in Argentina following Rocío, a teenage woman who after the funeral of her grandmother, moves into her grandmother’s house which was left to her and uncovers the story of her grandmother’s past. Believing her grandmother was unliked, she realizes the truth of the past and how it can affect one’s life and poses the question of “is it possible to stop repeating the mistakes of the past”?

This books has hands down the most incredible visual story telling I have ever seen. More is being said/shown than what we get to read as written text. It’s is incredibly moving and poetic.
We see themes of persecution, religious trauma, generational trauma, and sexual violence.
The sexual violence plays a big role in this story and is depicted in a very poetic, however, graphic way.
The text is in handwritten cursive which is beautiful, but I found it somewhat hard to read at times.

Although the story of this family was emotionally moving and beautifully told, I found the ending abrupt. I believe this was done on purpose by the author, to leave it as an open-ended question, but I’m a sucker for endings with no loose ends. Some questions go unanswered which is hard for me to sit with.

I want a physical copy of this book for the artwork alone!

This was an interesting story about family and how a gruesome sexual experience can change your whole life. This graphic novel is a quick read despite the heavy topics -- aside from the sexual abuse, there is also talk about fleeing your country, alcoholism, abuse based on sexual preferences and many more.

On one hand, I loved the artwork. It's fun and quirky, the colors really pull you in with their brightness. On the other hand, I wasn't a huge fan of the font since the letters are a bit hard to read at times. Furthermore, the main character didn't have enough personal growth for me to like her. She remained flat, childishly angry at those around her. I loved the slight paranormal aspect and how the story seamlessly goes from one point in time to another. It quickly makes you want to reach out to your own grandmother(s) and hold onto them a bit longer and a bit tighter.

Unfortunately, I didn't realize this ARC contains only about two thirds of the whole book. Upon finishing, I was confused and felt like the story was unfinished in all aspects. I wanted to know more, I wanted to understand what even are these mothballs and how they work. I can see the potential but find myself unable to rate this any higher without closure (and considering all the things I didn't like). So, take my negative thoughts with a grain of salt since, to my disappointment, I haven't actually read the whole book!