Monkey Vs. Robot & The Crystal Of Power [Paperback]

James Kochalka (Author)

Book Description

Series: Monkey Vs Robot | Publication Date: May 26, 2003

This thought-provoking story is told almost completely without words, relying on Kochalka's expressive illustrations of the title characters. For all the book's humorous and charming appearance, beneath the entertaining veneer lies a stirring examination of the dual nature of existence, the dichotomy within the human mind, and our profound effect on the ecological environment. A modern day fable for readers of all ages, based on the age-old struggle between nature and technology.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Top Shelf Productions (May 26, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1891830368
• ISBN-13: 978-1891830365
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,298,287 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as the first..., June 20, 2004

By 

Jenn (Saskatchewan, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monkey Vs. Robot & The Crystal Of Power (Paperback)

I was so disappointed with the monkies talking in this book! I don't know what but this one little detail made is so much less realistic. The same themes are present in this book as in the last and it did make me smile, and left me thinking (until i fell asleep) but quite honestly this book did not live up to the first. I bought this at a used book store for quite cheap and I am happy I read the sequel to MvR, but overall it was a little disappointing.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A minimalist approach to the graphic novel, January 25, 2004

By 

B-Man (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monkey Vs. Robot & The Crystal Of Power (Paperback)

For those used to spending a tremendous amount of time reading through a given graphic novel due to the complexities of the text and artwork, James Kochalka offers a minimalist approach in Monkey vs. Robot & the Crystal of Power. The robots are gathering a number of items in nature to analyze in their computer, which ultimately results in the destruction or death of the item (i.e. a flower). When a monkey is taken, he narrowly escapes, but not before being injured and simultaneously damaging part of the computer. As the robots seek to fix it, they discover that the only way it can repair itself is through a crystal, which in turn, is honored by the monkeys. Let the monumental struggle begin! Technology vs. nature, survival of the fittest, the old quote from the English Romantics, "We murder to dissect."

Even though it is a quick read, I encourage you to read through it a number of times and enjoy Kochalka's work and its thought provoking story. Fans of Nicholson Baker's concise approach to fiction would enjoy Kochalka and the issues he explores.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good,But Gory, July 30, 2008

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Monkey Vs. Robot & The Crystal Of Power (Paperback)

First of all, I gotta say I love these books.Escpecially Monkey Vs. Robot.This one(Monkey Vs. Robot And The Crystal Of Power)was also good but the violence was a little disturbing.In the first book,monkeys are burnt,kicked,crushed,you get the idea.The second one had that too,but it had blood.And quite a bit of it at that.For example,The monkeys are fighting robots for reasons I won't say(I can't give everything away!)Anyway,there was blood.In big amounts.This book is good,but I would not reccomend it for 6 and under