In a dystopian United Kingdom, much of the world has been destroyed, politically, culturally and morally. A fascist party called Norsefire has exterminated its opponents in concentration camps and now rules the country as a police state. V stands firmly in opposition. An anarchist revolutionary dressed in a Guy Fawkes mask, he begins an violent, intricate campaign to murder his former captives, take down the government and change the new social norm. At his side is his new protege, Evey Hammond, who resists at first, but is quickly swept up in V's mission.
So, hm. I wonder if I'm the wrong sort of reader for this story, a part of the wrong generation maybe lacking the zeal and anger that Moore so thoroughly imbues into this story. It's not that I didn't enjoy it! I did! I found it compelling and interesting and containing some pretty solid writing and great, shadowy art; however, it also reads as a bit camp, a bit too elaborate and a bit too theatrical. I also had a bit of trouble discerning between the wide range of white, dark haired male supporting characters, who all seemed to act and speak the same way. Often, when one was killed off, I had difficulties knowing who, exactly, it was.
V was also not entirely what I expected. I saw the movie years ago, and don't remember him as being quite as ruthless as he is in the graphic novel. He's biting, nasty and totally cutthroat (sometimes literally) in getting his way. The effect is actually a good one, making him less likable and infinitely more so all at once. Bleeding hearts club, this is not, and it's nice to have a hero so unambiguously bad for a change.
Speaking of hearts though, Evey's the big, beating one of this story. Her journey from a nervous, sweet-natured girl unwittingly in a bad situation to a smart, ruthless woman orchestrating bad situations was by far the most compelling storyline in V for Vendetta, even if some of the symbolism used to get there felt a little heavy handed at times (getting rid of the children's toys, the letter, the mask).
It's a good read, but not one that resonated with me as much as I know it has with other readers.
3.5 out of 5 Scarlet Carsons.
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