I took a break from the other books I'm reading to spend an hour with a graphic novel. A middle aged comic book store owner sends for a bride from Korea. Things go pretty much as expected. Everyone has expectations, but never enough of themselves. (January 05, 2006) ( )

Kalesniko manages to mix together heartwarming, sad, triumphant, angry, hopeful, pathetic and unfair across several characters and all throughout the story of Mail Order Bride in this story of two individuals finding comfort in mutually unrealized expectation. Kyung and Monty are married and at first it appears both might try to make the best of things for the thing they think they wanted. Of course, there's that pesky problem of finding out that small thing you think you wanted doesn't actually satisfy you wholly...or that the fantasy never quite lives up to the reality. And this is where Kalesniko's story takes off in fantastic ways. Kyung and Monty's story demonstrates the dangers of playing at a game of intimacy without a true foundation or the boundaries of an emotional bond. ( )

This novel really blew me away. During the hour I spent reading it and being immersed in the little world inhabited by Kyung Seo and Monty Wheeler, I was completely oblivious to the world around me. We watch as Monty, a comic book store owner meets, marries, and tries to integrate into his life his mail order bride. We experience his fear, clumsiness, and sorrow-joy as she accepts her duty and takes him to bed. And, we feel a pang of pity as we realize why he was that way. Then, the story truly begins as we start to learn what his hopes were when he "bought" her and what he does to cope, plus we see how he treats her as another of his collectibles and controls her environment.

The drama and intrigue continue as we watch these characters grow and learn to live together - or rather, to live in Monty's world. Kyung is a fascinating woman and we watch as she attempts to get more out of her life while trying to remain loyal to her husband. The book continues to peel away layers from both of them and when the climatic confrontation explodes, your own feelings (as a reader) have taken so many ups, downs, and twists that you're left gasping. When the dust settles, it is a sad and sombre mood that leaves you really wanting more - and really wanting more for Kyung.

Everyone should own a copy. It is that good because it works on so many levels and the imagery itself speaks volumes... even in its silence. ( )