Cory Doctorow

Jen Wang

"A Amanda le gusta jugar a OroHermoso online, el juego de rol multijugador masivo al que dedica la mayor parte de su tiempo libre. En esa realidad puede ser una lider, una luchadora, una heroina. Es un espacio donde conocer a gente de todo el mundo y hacer amigos. Pero las cosas se complican cuando se hace amiga de un granjero, un pobre chico chino cuyo avatar en el juego cosecha ilicitamente objetos valiosos para luego venderlos a jugadores de paises desarrollados a los que les sobra el dinero. A pesar de ser un comportamiento que va en contra de las normas de OroHermoso, Amanda pronto comprende que las diferencias entre el bien y el mal no quedan tan claras cuando esta en juego el sustento de una persona real"--Amazon.

En La Vida Real

"Anda loves Coarsegold Online, the massively-multiplayer role playing game that she spends most of her free time on. It's a place where she can be a leader, a fighter, a hero. It's a place where she can meet people from all over the world, and make friends. But things become a lot more complicated when Anda befriends a gold farmer -- a poor Chinese kid whose avatar in the game illegally collects valuable objects and then sells them to players from developed countries with money to burn. This behavior is strictly against the rules in Coarsegold, but Anda soon comes to realize that questions of right and wrong are a lot less straightforward when a real person's real livelihood is at stake."--Cover flap.

In Real Life

Sarah Sammis

Marian L

Mythos

3/5 stars

This is one of those books that I'm going to have to reread at a later time. Usually, graphic novels are an easy and fast read for me. This wasn't the case with this book. While the art is extremely captivating, I had a hard time grasping the story itself.
 
Although I was interested in the premise, the more I read, the less I was interested in reading the book. Even though I finished it, I barely retained any of the story. At the moment, I can't say I recommend it.

Isadora Cal

I loved this book! At first I thought it was just another American author thinking they know how life works outside of their bubble, being imperialist and writing about places they consider exotic. But it was not like that, thankfully! I mean, it still has the American-savior complex tone, but overall it’s a good message about the internet and gaming. I like how Anda screw things up, and how she learn how different cultures can be. I recognize myself there as a teen who played a lot of MMORPG. Being Brazilian, that was how I improved my English, how I learned about things outside of my own world. In this book, I’d be Raymond and not Anda - not because of the work, I am very privileged - but because I was the foreigner, being bullied sometimes for not speaking proper English or just being too curious overall about other cultures.

Oh, and the preface is EVERYTHING <3

Izza

4.75 stars | Gah, this was amazing! Highly recommend to all (girl) gamers :D

Kirsten Simkiss

This book was cute, honestly. I'd really give it 3.5 stars, but I decided to round up because I liked the art style. It's not the deepest story ever, but it is an interesting social commentary about how the world around us works and why you can't always judge a book by it's cover or a person by what they do for a living. In this case, gold farmers on MMORPGs. It's an interesting concept to be sure, though I'm not sure it has any lasting impact for the reader.

Kailey Rios

i actually enjoyed this more than i thought i would! i’m definitely not a gamer but the storyline was still easy to follow. i really liked the main character and the art was fantastic as well.

EmmaLee Babcock

2nd read (July 3, ‘22)

Doctorow and Wang brought together a sweet and aesthetically pleasing read, showing us the importance of community through gaming and how we need to stand up for others facing injustice, even if it feels like a small gesture. 

Following a big move to a small town, Anda is invited to join an online guild for girls on Coursegold Online, where she’s met with the challenge of opposite sides justifying their different takes in the gaming world. Once she meets a boy on the other side of the world, she starts to question what she’s been told about those who use the game to earn money IRL. 

Cozy, funny, and moving, this gorgeous book is the perfect one-sitting read to enjoy on my hot summer day.

Ken Yuen

Wow, what a surprisingly endearing story about online culture, girl gaming, and Internet culture.

I was not expecting to learn about Chinese gold farming, Chinese factories, or strikes either. 

Everything wrapped up well, but it could have easily ended tragically too, which might have been more realistic?

Off hand comment, I think it's funny how all the Chinese gold farmers all use the same default avatar. I had to double check, but it looks like Anda creates a similar version later on when she's in a rush, which is a nice attention to detail.

I've never read any of Cory Doctorow's other works before, but I was impressed by the thoughtful note at the beginning. This could have easily been a shallow, pandering story made to appeal to gamers, but the wide breadth of topics and the gripping drama really elevated this story. Nothing feels wasted, even the board game girl who is wronged in the beginning (nerds can be bullies too) or the fact that we might not look the same as our avatars in real life.

Pax Nova

I thought this was really well done overall. I just wish there was MORE. I enjoyed and appreciated the parallel between Anda's experience and her father's and how it dealt with some very big, important, and relevant issues. Since it was so short though, I feel like it was somewhat heavy-handed at times and could have been developed a little more.

Anda loves Coarsegold Online, the massively-multiplayer role playing game that she spends most of her free time on. It's a place where she can be a leader, a fighter, a hero. It's a place where she can meet people from all over the world, and make friends. Gaming is, for Anda, entirely a good thing. But things become a lot more complicated when Anda befriends a gold farmer -- a poor Chinese kid whose avatar in the game illegally collects valuable objects and then sells them to players from developed countries with money to burn. This behavior is strictly against the rules in Coarsegold, but Anda soon comes to realize that questions of right and wrong are a lot less straightforward when a real person's real livelihood is at stake. From acclaimed teen author Cory Doctorow and rising star cartoonist Jen Wang, In Real Life is a sensitive, thoughtful look at adolescence, gaming, poverty, and culture-clash. This title has common Core connections. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Flavia Louise

This was good. Some really important topics were discussed. But it felt a bit superficial and I wish it was longer and gave more time and depth to the issues discussed.

Nadine 

Great way to introduce adolescents to the economics behind multi-player games. Liked the ambiguity of right and wrong and the idea of social activism through gaming avatars.
Very realistic depiction of the characters in real life with less than perfect bodies and natural plumpness.

Kerri Miller

I enjoyed this fast-paced and challenging book, however I could've done with more feminism and less lecturing about the state of global economics.. but then, that's my general complaint about Cory Doctorow, so YMMV.

Nat Welch

Cute story, although a little heavy handed. Gorgeous art.

Kim 

I was intigued by the plof of this graphic novel and heard a lot of good things about this graphic novel.As I was reading this book, I was not expecting this graphic novel to go into deeper issues besides talking about gaming. The illustrations were very unique and I was drawn into the book even with an introduction section about what the graphic novel will be about.

JB Moore

This was so much fun.

I came out of reading "The Prince and the Dressmaker" which is also a work by Jen Wang and couldn't wait to consume more content from her.

Although it didn't give me the rich warm and fuzzies that Prince and the Dressmaker did, the concept of economic gray area cross-continentally really gave it a fun depth.

Highly recommend to MMO players, since I do believe some references would be lost on those that haven't played before.

Khloe Grotting

( *4.5 ) I loved this book so much!! I adored The Prince and the Dressmaker so I knew that I would like this and it did not disappoint. The story was so interesting and the artwork was stunning!

Destiny J Tamayo

This book was so adorable. I loved the artwork and how relatable and realistic Anda was. I also love how Anda wasn't the stereotype awkward loner, she was a regular girl with a natural body type. I also love how it went slightly above the gaming world and talked about other issues going on. I did think that at times it was a bit fast paced for what was going on though.

Danni’s Badass Books

⭐ 4 Stars ⭐

Great but short read, would have loved it to be longer. The art style was super cute and I loved it!

It dealt with some social issues which I didn't expect from this graphic novel, but I thought it was a nice story.

laura

I really enjoyed this read. I thought this story was super fast pace story. I loved how this book focused on girls and the gaming life. I also really enjoyed the art style of this graphic novel. I really loved this face pace story and also really loved the harder issues this tackled. I also enjoyed the under currents of romance that was present this story def put a smile on my face. I really hope to read more by this author in the future.

Анастасия Розова

4.75/5
I've hear some mixed reviews about this graphic novel, so I was hesitant about picking it up ever since it came out. I'm happy to say I LOVED IT. It actually made my eyes a little watery... 
It sent such a powerful message and read so, so quickly, even though some other GN can drag having as many pages. 
I wish I picked it up sooner, but none the less, probably made it to one of my favourite graphic novels.

Renee Delcourt

I think this is another graphic novel that has a great message behind it. The only reason I didn't score it higher is because once you get into the plot line is kind of predictable. Which honestly it's a young adult graphic novel with a message. That is pretty normal for it to be predictable. I think it is a very wholesome story and I really like the idea of girl power and standing up for what is right. Anda's family makes me kind of grin, because as a mom I totally understand being concerned about my child being a part of the online community. I love that her mom is great at being protective but understanding a kid needs to be a kid.

Taylor

I think the plot has a lot of promise but there extra details in there that weren’t really necessary or unrealistic. Having a random adult coming to a school to have young girls join their guild definitely could have been a grooming scheme or worse.The all girls club came across toxic. 
I like how it was about learning to organize protests online and has basic protest ideas!
Over all, I’d love for this to be made into a longer, more developed series!

b.andherbooks

**This review is based on an ARC from Netgalley, thank you!

In Real Life explores the dichotomy between the communities in massive online role playing games and "real life" through high schooler Anda's experiences. What does it mean to be a girl in this male dominated video game world? Is it right for players to break the rules of the game to make a livelihood? Lushly illustrated with a water color type effect which I adored, In Real Life is both amusing and socially conscious. Would be a great addition to any Teen graphic novel collection.

En La Vida Real

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