Michael Cho

The two stars I've given here are solely for Cho's liltingly lovely artwork. "Shoplifter" is crafted in just white, black, and a hot bubblegum pink shade. Although I'm not sure the colors match the story, it's really wonderful art and I loved looking at it. The cityscapes and street views were especially well done (the one where Corinna is hailing a cab at night is my favorite).

That being said: this. Story. Sucked. I'm sorry, but that's really the most concise way I can put it. At first, I was really trying to relate to this, because I too am a Literature major and often worry about where I'm going to end up career-wise. But Corinna's worries were so very common that I found myself yawning over them instead of sympathizing with her. There's nearly no character development, and readers barely get to know Corinna other than what she worries about. Her whole "shoplifting" quirk adds, truly, nothing to the story. Lastly, I found that the ending was much too predictable and was very cliche. It was just a feel good, bow-tied-up-on-tip ending that was unsurprising.

So again: lovely lovely artwork I want to see more of!! The artwork is enough to make me seek out more of Cho's work! But "Shoplifter" just has a flat story and unappealing characters, and the writing is very basic.… (meer)

Nah.

I read this twice in the same day, just to make sure that I wasn't being overly harsh on it. So it went from a 2 to a 3 in my head because of that, overwise I really would have gone with a 2.

This is really.... ?

I see what it is trying to say. I do. And for the year it was published (2014), I understand, but I also feel as though this book should have been published in 2008 maybe? And that's where I feel that I am being overtly harsh, because no matter the year or moment in time, everyone should write and publish and say what they need to say. Do it. Don't sit on it. [insert just do it meme here]. But that's exactly WHY I feel this book is too late-- it waited. Which is... ironic since that's part of the whole problem this woman is having.

She's not just stuck either. She's lost in a world of tech. Tech is suuuch a distraction, you guys, it's a prooooblem. So there's also a theme of that. But she's a shop lifter, but only with one item, and she's really good at it, and it helps her with her confidence. But it doesn't? Because her confidence is still underneath the trashcan.

She wants to write, and run away to the woods, and not be another advertisement cog in the machine.... and I feel that. BUT. What does shoplifting have to do with any of that? It feels like a thing meant only to assist in ending this story. A device to force the main character into getting her shit together. And she doesn't even shoplift that often visually in the story.

The end is... horrible and reads like why a lot of YA stuff frustrates the hell out of me. And I picked this up hoping it wouldn't read as such since the main character is NOT a teenager nor a young adult (imo). I do not know anyone who could AFFORD to quit a job in ANY major city to START writing. Maybe quit in order to continue writing, but not START writing. And only if they were making enough writing to cover all bills, because otherwise, the bitch better have a side hustle. I personally also dislike how the ending handles the idea of moving away from tech heavy situations WHILE visually brings up how it seems to be a problem in the MC's environment.

"Don't run away from your fears. Do the thing!" I hear you, book, but also, rural living is pretty good for your health, less expensive, and helps with creativity in many. I would have had a much higher opinion with the ending if it had the MC moving from the city along with deciding to start writing. At least then I would believe she'd have a chance to succeed economically......

Not realistic. Not believable. This story is in La-La land while trying to convey something that it SHOULD. It just lands underneath the trashcan years too late in trying to do so.

Illustrations are gorgeous though, and why it's a 3 and not a 2.… (meer)

Okay, the artwork is beautiful, and I enjoy the use of pink.

I just don't know what I or the audience was supposed to take away from this story. Every story doesn't have to be wrapped up with a pretty bow. But it needs to have some sort of end/conclusion.

To me, the story was awfully boring. At first, I thought the premise would be entirely of shoplifting. Like stealing's the only thrill Corrina gets outside of her dead-end job. Instead, it wasn't really a plot point. Oh, you see a guy you like? Great. Oh, too bad your best friend had a one night stand with him. Shoplifting? What? Is that what this is supposed to be about? Bruh...

Overall, I think this story would work much better as a webcomic.… (meer)