Customer Reviews

Viewer

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is very original but very dark. The artwork and story a very well done. A lot of effort went in to the detailing of the pictures, and you could look at each page for hours! The story would be scary to anyone, especially children. The style is writing is detached and creepy. I don't even know how to describe the book, other than it leaves you with a feeling of dread. In the story, the kid Tristan is compelled to look further in to the Viewer, even though the images continue to get worse. A good lesson in the dark nature of humanity, I would suggest reading it during the day.

This is a picture book and not intended for young children. The graphics provide very interesting use of appropriated images and the content is challenging and provocative. The text follows the ways in which civilisations have been self-destructive and being passive 'viewers' to civilisation's follies can indeed be dreadful. So why not act?!

I am a great fan of Shaun Tan, and that's the main reason I bought this book, even though it did not look very promising.

In the beginning the book slightly reminds The Lost Thing, which is a masterpiece, one of the most beautifully illustrated and deep books. However, as the story develops, it becomes darker and, what is worse, meaningless. I could not find any lesson in the book.

Of course the drawings are good, Shaun Tan is always great. However, compared to his creations it is way less than expected.

I would highly recommend the books written AND illustrated by Shaun Tan, they have no flaws. Look for The Red Tree, The Lost Thing, and The Arrival, they are extremely beautiful and deep books.

Gary Crew, The Viewer (Simply Read Books, 2003)

Any book illustrated by Shaun Tan is probably going to be a winner, and Gary Crew's The Viewer is no exception. A boy finds a box, takes it home, and finds a Viewmaster inside with a set of discs that are unlike anything he's ever seen before. Very short, and Tan's illustrations are the star attraction here, but still well worth your time, no matter your age. ****

This is the worst childrens book I have ever read. There should be a warning label on this book. My daughter is in first grade and brought this book home and I was amazed at how graphic it is. This is not a children's book and should be relabeled to something else instead.