Flash book review: Tricked
Alex Robinson's Tricked, a graphic novel, delivers a thoughtful reflection on human nature. The tales of six different characters--each with a unique personality and problems--intertwine to create a twisting plot that reveals how a web of relations can connect complete strangers.
The artwork is good enough, meaning that it gets the job done; but don't expect a lot of experimentation or expressive effects to pop up. I was left wishing for more exaggeration in the depiction of the characters' moods and actions, but maybe that would distract the reader from what's really important here: the relationships.
The writing is top-notch. The characters talk like people, and despite the fact that they do a lot of emotional brooding, the plot and the dialogue don't read like the soap opera they could have been.
You'll probably find yourself disturbed to find that you can actually relate to some of the characters in this tale, thanks to the slivers of shared, true-to-life human experience you'll find tucked into this story. Most of them aren't the kinds of situations you want to be in, but they'll feel familiar because they're depicted with honesty and respect.
Altogether, a worthy read.
7/10
(If you are (or become) a fan of Alex Robinson's works, you might find this interview interesting.)