Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A refreshing and inspiring book, 23 Feb 2005
I have read a lot of manga over the past few years, and i must say that this has been one of the best. The story line does seem rather strange, and the title does not help to change this impression, but the actually book is a lot more than i expected. This is one of the few mangas i have read that have actually said something so poignant. The premise of this book is that Sumire Iwaya, who works for a tv news station, was dumped by her fiance when his mistress became pregnant. The general belief of the other people working in the company is that it is her fault and he doesnt deserve any blame as she is 1. taller than he is, 2. better paid, and 3. cleverer. One thing that really endeared this book to me was that it did not spend 3 volumes setting up the story, as some lower quality mangas tend to do, but went straight into the action with Sumire finding a boy/man in a cardbourd box outside her house. Another rather endearing point in this book is that Sumire tries so despreatly hard to be a cold, hard business woman, when it is so obvious that she is really a very nice person. there are times in this book when i feel the character of the boy, Momo, could be a little more defined, but it may be that he develops further on in the series and i am just being impatient. This book is a rare and refreshing example of manga that can have both an important message, and have a good storyline, good artwork and genuinely funny, lovably and 3D characters. Basically, I can't wait till I can buy the next one and see whether this streak of greatness continues throughout the series!
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A brilliant shojo manga, 4 Jan 2005
My first impression of Tramps Like Us was that it was just another smutty manga. Please don't make the same mistake! Under the surface this manga is absolutely simmering with power. The basic plot is about a woman who feels constantly angry because of the way she is treated by men. Because she is well educated, tall and well paid, most men are intimidated by her (an interesting take on inequality, don't you think?). But one day she meets a homeless boy and takes him home and feeds him. Thinking to get rid of him, she tells him he can stay on the condition that he is her pet and must do whatever she wants. Surprisingly the boy agrees! The manga centres around the relationship between Sumire (the woman) and Momo (her 'pet') and the effect it has on Sumire's life and happiness. Momo is not just some stupid kid ... he is very insightful and understands Sumire very well. Sumire in her turn is a strong character, suffering the same strains and pressures as any young career woman and finding Momo's presence more and more significant in her life. Momo never tells Sumire how he feels, but the manga-ka is very clever in sneaking in glimpses of his life that show how he is affected by Sumire's relationship with her new boyfriend. Though this manga is just about a relationship and is relatively uncomplicated, it conveys a huge range of emotions and is a very thought-provoking take on love and companionship. Rated Older Teen (16+), Tramps Like Us will run to 10 volumes, so get started!
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