Friday, October 6, 2017

Assassination Classroom (Volume 1), by Yusei Matsui

Assassination Classroom, by Yusei Matsui, is a manga that tells a unique story of students in Kunugigaoka Junior High school. These are no ordinary students and they certainly have no ordinary teachers. The story centers around the class 3-E (E as in End) meaning that these students are the outcast of the school either because of their failing grades or their brazen behaviors. On top of being inflicted with dragging problems, class 3-E receives an offer from the Ministry of Defense which consists of 10 billion yen if they succeed in killing their new teacher. Their new teacher, Koro sensi, is anything but ordinary, he flies at the speed of mach 20 and is an extraterrestrial yellow octopus who has threatened to destroy the earth after class 3-E graduates in March.

Once again I have to admit that the publications of Shonen Jump ceaselessly amaze me every time because I am just absolutely enthralled by this fantastic manga. The very plot of Assassination Classroom captures the reader’s attention from the start, and the comical yet unique characters keep the readers interest kindled. The artwork of the manga is stunning and it is impossible to not get attached to the hilarious but mysterious Koro sensi. I am looking forward to moving on to the next volume and I would definitely recommend this to anyone and everyone.


Reviewed by Anonymous, Grade 12
Glendale Central Library 


Thursday, October 5, 2017

Gulliver’s Travels, by Jonathan Swift

Gulliver’s Travels is a satirical novel published in 1726 by the author Jonathan Swift. The story is illustrated through the detailed travel diary of Lemuel Gulliver who is shipwrecked in different islands where he is introduced to peculiar inhabitants. Gullible Gulliver meets absurd Lilliputs, crude Brobdingnag, intelligent Houyhnhnms, and selfish Yahoos. Swift’s brilliantly savage satire unveils the boorish nature of human behavior through these strange creatures. This book magnifies our flawed characteristics and makes us pause to reflect over our vacuous behaviors.


After reading Gulliver’s travels, I must admit that the snarky satire of Jonathan Swift has made me recognize him as one of the cleverest author. Swift does a marvelous job in exposing the flaws of our society which sadly is just as relevant as it was during the 18th century as today. His parodies and satires are not only scholarly germane but it also is terrifically humorous. The fictional worlds in this series of adventures of Gulliver is fantastically well crafted and it really stands out from majority of the other books which is why I would highly recommend everyone to give this book a read.

Reviewed by Anonymous, Grade 12
Glendale Central Library