Visiting Paris has been on my bucket list forever. Something about all that wonderful wine, pate and cheese just pushes my buttons. So take that fact, and add to it my new found love for graphic novels, throw in what seemed like two billion rave reviews for this book, and we have ourselves a must-read.
Synopsis: To celebrate Lucy's 22nd birthday and her mother's 50th, they rent a flat in Paris for nearly five weeks, and work their way through the city's museums, food and culture. Lucy, an aspiring artist, documents the experience through this visual travel journal, and makes friends with her mother and herself along the way.
My thoughts: Some graphic novels blow you away with jarring visuals or literary prose. This is not one of them. This novel is just simply charming. You are provided a glimpse of the curiosities of Paris through the eyes of a young woman, which is decidedly different (not necessarily in a bad way) from the perspective of someone who has been around the block. It is naive, sweet and a little shallow. It is the perspective of someone who misses her boyfriend back home, who is stressed about find a job and building a career, who slips into a malaise when her feet don't fit French shoes, and who is obsessive about art and French milk.
As a travel journal, it is not all-encompassing, but provides a fun overview of some landmarks and museums. And of course, there is the food!
Lucy also included a few photos that she took in Paris as well. Not all the pictures were value-added, but I enjoyed the ones of her and her mother. Hanging over the edge of the Eiffel Tower to take a good picture or kissing Oscar Wilde's grave just would not be the same if illustrated.
So if you are looking for a quick stroll through the streets of Paris with an engaging but slightly self-absorbed young artist, look no further. It is a nice, two or three hour escape!
3 out of 5 stars
*sigh* Sometimes you stumble onto a masterpiece, and it takes you completely by surprise. In this case, I had lunch with a friend I made over at the Adult Literacy League, who is also an aspiring author with a book in progress. Somewhere in the middle of our long meal where we realized we have about everything in common, she told me I had to read this book. Oh, Sandy, you like graphic novels and you think you might write a book someday before you die? Try this. You won't be sorry. OK, so I ordered it from the library. It arrived. It was big, like a coffee table book. It was over 200 pages long. And it was FULL of STUFF that made my brain buzz. I mean, look at that cover! What. the. hell. was. this?
Synopsis: OK, well, I'm going to try. Let's say this book is part biography. Lynda Barry recounts her life with a mother that is neglectful, violent, and negative. She has always longed to draw pictures and to be good at it. She fights off feelings of inadequacy, fears of embarrassing herself, and of failing. It is heart-breaking, but at the same time, what kid doesn't feel this way?.jpg)
The book is part shrink. It asks questions that make you think. Questions that are aimed at making you dig deep and find inspiration. When did you first notice you were bad at something? And then what happened? Kids like making marks that make shapes that make stories. Why? What is a monster? Why are monsters in so many old stories? To follow a wandering mind means having to get lost. Can you stand being lost? What are toys? Did you ever have a toy that knew you? Do memories have mass? Do they have motion? Do they have inertia?
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People, this is only the tip of the iceberg. The story is also a visual feast. Take a look at the pictures I have shared above. They look like a scrapbook of a deranged (but creative) mind. I just sat for hours, staring at what appeared to be illustrations of childhood monsters, pieces of material, pictures, clips of handwriting from old letters. Just a mass of stuff.
All of this slightly insane but thought-provoking material leads up to a sort of writing toolkit. She gives you advice...relax, get alot of lined paper and a good pen, a timer. She tells you that "thinking up stories is hard. Getting them to come to you is easier." She gives you exercises. Make a list of other people's mothers. Choose one and answer a list of questions. Maybe this is all elementary writing 101 material, but after having just rolled around in a land of Dali-esque collages, it seems like genius.
Of course, I didn't perform these exercises. I had a football game to attend and I needed to sleep. But I was moved. And I thought of all of my on-line friends out there that participated in NaNo last month. Of my friends that are working towards their first published novel. My friends that dig the visual delight of graphic novels.
My thoughts: Read it or miss out on something completely wonderful and unique and unexpected. If for no other reason that for the fun of it. That is all the thoughts I have.
5 out of 5 stars
I was persuaded to order yet another graphic novel (my personal brand of crack-cocaine these days) from the library at the encouragement of Jen (Devourer of Books) as part of her spotlight on Chicago authors. I found it waiting for me when I returned from Washington DC, and read it on a roadtrip up to Jacksonville. Truth be told, it will take me longer to write this review that it took me to read the book! You've got to love graphic novels that way.
Synopsis: The author reminisces on his life in a small town in Mexico called El Rosario, a typical community where old women gossip, where folklore define the town's history, and young boys dream of true love.
And it is also the home of "The Graffiti King of Mexico", Mr. Mendoza. For thirty years, the elusive Mr. Mendoza creeps around town with his paintbrush, decorating walls and other objects with declaration of morality and prophetic statements. The townsfolk don't so much like being judged however.
Finally, in his last act of artistic flourish, Mr. Mendoza stands at the center of town, and paints a stairway into the sky, and disappears forever.
My thoughts: I finished this book scratching my head. The story confused me. First, I thought Mr. Mendoza was a bit of a cad, going around and criticizing others for their immoral acts (the author got caught peeping at skinny-dipping girls, and got his rear-end graffiti'd). Then he paints a stairway into the sky and escapes? What? Then I figured I took the story too literally. I'm sure if I were smarter, I would easily spot Mr. Mendoza as a metaphor for something. The town's conscience? God? A fallen angel?
But the artwork! Oh the artwork! I was mesmerized with it. Unfortunately I could not find much online to display the beauty of the illustrations (the cover is my favorite), but here is one example:
There are some local Hispanic artists here in town originally from Puerto Rico that have created paintings and prints with a similar feel, and every time I see it I have to stop and stare. It is rich, and vibrant, and you can almost feel and smell the humidity and the rum and the rhythm of the drum and guitar. Looking at these illustrations almost made me want to close my eyes and start swaying to the beat.
So leave your analytic, literal panties in your dresser today and pick up this quick, atmospheric read. If you can figure out the message, let me know, but prepare your eyes for a little treat.
3.5 out of 5 stars
As far as graphic novels are concerned, a year ago I would have told you I didn't like them. What that really meant was I had never tried them, and was slightly intimidated by them. A comic book? Literature? Are you kidding me?
Well shame on me and that sad horse I was riding around on. I made graphic novels one of my personal goals for 2010, and I've not only enjoyed them, but embraced them. Every one of the graphic novels I've reviewed this year have been fabulous. With my latest read, Pyongyang, however, I think I've uncovered the crown jewels of the graphic novel world, thanks to the recommendation of Alyce. This is a graphic novel that transcends vivid, eye candy illustrations and nudges your sense of right and wrong.
When you think of North Korea, you think of what? Danger. Dictatorship. A fortress. Axis of Evil. Nuclear threat. Human rights issues. I also think of this satellite photo that my husband sent me awhile back, showing both North and South Korea.
When North Korea begrudgingly cracked open their doors to foreign investors, Guy Delisle found himself assigned to a two-month stint in Pyongyang, North Korea's capital, working for a French animation company. This book represents a travelogue of his time there.
We instantly get a sense for Delisle's personality. He smuggles in a radio and a copy of 1984 (intended as a gift for his translator, a significance that is not lost on us), he is a happy-go-lucky guy, loves music, likes to party, and is a bit of a rebel. All this from a graphic novel? Yes.
He bravely and resolutely gives us a rare and eye-opening view of a country that seems to be lost in a time warp; a parody of Communism. Blackouts, a constant flow of propaganda, a people who wear frozen smiles of "happiness" at their lot in life, museums of "international friendship", the hatred of Americans, and bad food. He could never leave his hotel room without being accompanied by his guide or translator. He described a leader (Kim Jong-il) whose presence in the country is more dominant than Jesus in Christian countries. On every wall a picture, on every citizen a pin, on every street a shrine. According to the North Koreans, Kim Jong-il published no less than 1,200 works, including a number of specialized military treatises, and hit 11 holes-in-one in his first golf game. And they pretend to believe all of it, or maybe they actually DO believe it. I'm not sure which is worse.
A few of Delisle's observations:
"With a six-day work week, one day of "volunteer" work and preparations for big events, the average citizen has almost no spare time. Body and soul serve the regime."
"When I arrived, I saw a team of "volunteers", hanging from ropes, paint a pretty royal blue over the rust on the bridge we crossed every day. Three-fourths of the way across, the work stopped (shortage of blue?). The workers never came back. Two weeks later, the rust began to show through the paint. This display of efficiency seemed like an apt analogy for the country and its regime."
One particular scene that sent chills down my spine was one where Delisle is taken to a school for gifted children:
This may all seem a bit dreary, but in Delisle's hyper-aware, slightly sarcastic voice, it is clever, enlightening and highly entertaining. It seems like a foregone conclusion that I must read his other works, "Shenzhen" and "Burma Chronicles". He is just that good.
5 out of 5 stars
Just in case you were on vacation and missed my previous posts on the most blow-your-mind graphic novels, I will get you up to speed. Stephen King and the creative folks at Marvel have teamed up to transform one of the most epic apocalyptic novels, The Stand, into graphic novel form. At this stage, only three volumes have been published, out of six in total. I have them ALL in my hot little hands (evil cackle). Here are my reviews of Volume 1: Captain Trips and Volume 2: American Nightmares.
The various groups of survivors all continue to trek westward looking for Mother Abigail. Nick adopts Tom Cullen as a companion, Larry meets Nadine and Joe, and the Stu/Frannie/Harold/Glenn gang pick up stragglers as well. The focus of this volume is the history of Mother Abigail, the increasing tension between Frannie, Stu and Harold, and the growing presence of characters that clearly fall on the side of good or evil.
The visuals, as usual, are stunning. Here are a few:
Nick and Tom Cullen.
Mother Abigail, awaiting the coming storm.
The wild boy Joe, threatening Larry.Volume 4, we are told in the bonus section at the end of the book, is called "Hardcases" (I'm thinking we will learn more about The Walking Dude's evil minions?). And as in previous books, we are treated to another illustration 101, an explanation of coloring from one of the artists, Laura Martin.
By now, you probably can guess that I will be collecting the entire series. It doesn't get much geekier for me, folks.
5 out of 5 stars
Here is the hard, cold truth...once you start this series, you won't be able to stop. The concept of Stephen King's The Stand is compelling enough - a super flu wipes out 99% of the earth's population, leaving only the good and the evil to fight it out to determine who will rule the world. The words themselves are graphic and frightening, but seeing the reality of it spring to life in graphic novel form is a whole different animal.
It started with Volume 1: Captain Trips, which was a birthday prezzie from The Bumbles. I promptly ordered the next two volumes, which are the only ones available at this point.
Pretty much the entire population has died of the flu at this point. The wagons begin circling, and the line between the good and evil has been clearly drawn. Everyone begins to have dreams of The Walking Dude (the devil or a high level minion) and of a little old black woman living in the cornfields of Nebraska named Mother Abigail. Stu escapes from the CDC in Vermont, and meets up with Glen Bateman, his dog Kojak, Fran and Harold (and oh I wish I could find a picture of Harold...he is just repulsive), Nick leaves his post as the jailer of Shoyo, Arkansas and heads for Mother Abigail. We meet the Trashcan Man (no doubt who's side HE will be on):
And also catch up with Lloyd Henreid, the miscreant trapped in an Arizona prison, starving and going a little insane:
Probably one of the most vivid scenes in this volume is also one of the most vivid in the printed book, and that is Larry Underwood's trek through the Lincoln Tunnel. You know, the long, dark tunnel full of dead people?
Like Volume 1, the plot in Volume 2 is very true to the original story, as far as I can remember. As with the book, once the virus has done its horrific damage, the pace starts to slow a little, and our characters begin to trudge down the road of no return. The scenes are no less shocking, however, and the artists are clearly enjoying themselves.
It appears that the artists have decided to give us little bonuses with each volume. In this one, in addition to offering different cover variants, they explain how inking and shading is used to create mood and texture. They also stress the importance of making particular scenes (New York for example) authentic. It is almost more awesomeness than one fangirl of Stephen Kind can handle. Stay tuned next week for Volume 3...
5 out of 5 stars
How do I love the Bumbles? Let me count the ways. Well, I'd like to, but there isn't enough time in the day. But one of the many cool things about Molly and Andy is that they are out there, always with an eye open for interesting "stuff"...articles, products, books. Occasionally, they find "stuff" that they think I will like, and they shoot me an e-mail. It has run the gamut...jokes, Christmas ornaments, websites...you name it. But imagine my eyes popping out of my skull when they sent me the link to Amazon, featuring The Stand in graphic novel form! Published by Marvel, the vision is ultimately six hardback volumes, one for each of the stages of this apocalyptic story. The Bumbles know how much I love The Stand. I believe it to be King's finest work - a classic. I flipped out. I HAD to have it. But Molly beat me to the punch - she sent me volume 1 for my birthday!
Based on the information I could dig up, Stephen King himself approached Marvel and asked them if they would be interested in the project (yeah right, like they wouldn't be interested). From that point, the creative team was chosen. All members of the team allowed themselves to be inspired by the original story and the descriptions of each of the characters, and seem to have effectively blocked out any influence by the casting in the movie. This book and its images stand (ha) on their own.
At the end of Volume 1, we are privy to the sketchbook, including character studies with commentary on "birthing" Randall Flagg, Frannie, Larry Underwood, Nick Andros, Trashcan Man and Stu Redman. You can tell that the artists "get" King. The characters jump off the page, grab you and force to look. Visual candy is what this is.
As you can see from the pictures, this graphic novel is in every way graphic. The illustrations are dark and almost feral in nature. They are twisted and insane, and I love it! I love insane. If you scare easily, you might end up seeing some of these visuals in your nightmares. (Bear in mind that this first installment is about the spread of the flu-like virus that kills 98% of humanity in a sea of phlegm and mucus. I won't show those pictures here.)
The novel is very true to the original story. Obviously there had to be some serious editing, but the meat is all there. The introduction of the core players and their individual circumstances, the spread of the virus, the mountains of bodies, the dreams of a cornfield, the attempt at government control, the CDC. And the Walking Dude. The Walking Dude is SO menacing, he makes your skin crawl.
Just this year, I've come to appreciate the beauty and genius of the graphic novel. So I'm probably not qualified to say this. But this is what GRAPHIC is all about, baby.
Volume 1 (Captain Trips) and Volume 2 (American Nightmares) are both currently available. The third volume (Soul Survivors) should be out sometime this month. I shall be back with more, friends.
5 out of 5 stars
Time sure flies when you're having fun! Which has been the case with my brief dalliance with graphic novels. I signed up, timidly, to read three this year for the Graphic Novel Challenge. And even though this novel, "Fun Home", theoretically wraps up that challenge, I know this is not the end of graphic novels for me. I'm hooked.
I remember reading all about Alison Bechdel in Entertainment Weekly several years ago when this book was originally published. Several fellow bloggers have since reviewed it, and it seemed like a no-brainer in my pursuit of graphic novel education. It is called a "tragicomic". Which in hindsight, seems to well describe "Stitches" too. Bechdel, with open heart and open-book mentality, tells us about her childhood.
Her younger years did have their high points, but overall, Alison and her two younger brothers lived under a storm cloud of dysfunction. Their mother and father emotionally detached from each other, their father's obsession with restoring their old home and filling it with beautiful antiques, and of course the family business of running a funeral home (called the Fun Home tongue-in-cheek by the family).
Everything starts to spiral downward when, within a two-week time period during Alison's college years, Alison's mother asks her father for a divorce, Alison reveals to her parents that she is a lesbian, and her father dies from a suspicious accident that could have been a suicide. Was her mother to blame? Was she to blame? Or was this an event that was long in coming?
Alison spends a majority of the book reflecting back on the difficulty in coming to terms with her sexuality and her awakening, the emotional distance between her and her father, and her attempt to bridge the gap through the love of literature. She also attempts to understand and make peace with skeletons in her father's closet, and empathize and even perhaps forgive him for his demons.
The illustrations are much different - more detail and less drama - than Stitches. While the drawings are good, they are not at all the highlight of the book. The beauty really lies in the prose, which is literary, intelligent, insightful. There is also beauty in Alison's refreshing, no-holds-barred honesty about a number of difficult and controversial issues in her life. While tell-all books about childhood trauma are a dime-a-dozen, reading it and SEEING it illustrated are two different experiences. This can't have been an easy project for her to undertake.
I feel it bears mentioning that some of the pictures depict masturbation and lesbian sex. It never seems vulgar, but is for mature audiences. Don't leave it lying around for the kids to read!
4 out of 5 stars
This graphic novel has been around the block a time or two in the blogging world, but seemed like perhaps a good place to start in my exploration of this genre.
I feel like I need to qualify my review of this book. This is only the second graphic novel I've read in my life. Obviously, these books are very visual, and giving opinions on visual makes me feel like an imposter. As if I am trying to talk intelligently about art or something. So this will effectively be musings a layman.
Stitches is an autobiographical story about a seriously dysfunction family. One where mom is angry and doesn't talk much.
Dad is a radiologist, who routinely x-rays David to rid him of various childhood ailments. Ultimately, it is discovered that these treatments have provided David a cancerous tumor on his neck, which in its removal, also requires the removal of his vocal chords. Of course all of these facts are hidden from David, until he stumbles upon them later. All he knows is that he wakes up without a voice.
But this is just the tip of the iceberg. There's a homicidal grandmother, as well as other skeletons in the closet that leave their mark on David. It is a miracle the guy made it to adulthood sane and in one piece.
This is a book of few words that speaks volumes. The illustrations, drawn by David himself, are stunning. They are simple and roomy, sometimes depicting only the face of Jesus, or an eyeball. The focus almost feels like cinematography in an artistic indie film...deliberate pauses, restrained pacing, big impact. All in a book that takes about an hour to read.
I think I'm going to like this genre.
4.5 out of 5 stars
A minor detour was required amidst serious reading. My daughter bought this insanely popular book "Smile" at the book fair, and she assured me I could read it in about 20 minutes. Turns out, it took about an hour, but was a wonderful diversion. A little bonus? It was a graphic novel! I haven't started whittling away at my Graphic Novel Challenge yet. My intent was to have a month of graphic hedonism sometime this summer. But why not see what all the fuss was about? There had to be something to it if Emma has read it three times already.
The book is an autobiography of sorts by Raina Telgemeir, a comic illustrator who has been nominated for various Ignatz, Cybil and Eisner awards, as well as the adaptor and illustrator of Babysitter's Club graphic novels. The story follows Raina from 6th grade into high school. It documents her 4 1/2 year journey through dental torment, including reconstruction, retainers and braces. We also see her progress through boy troubles, judgemental friends, a devastating earthquake (in her hometown of San Francisco), acne, homework, and family dynamics. She learns to stay true to herself and not allow her peers to walk all over her.
In the middle grade and young adult literary environment of vampires, teen sex, foul language and bullying, this novel is a breath of fresh air. It just reconfirms that you don't need trash to entertain a 12-year-old. If I sound a little edgy, that is because I am. I recently read a very positive review of a book that I ordered from the library for my daughter to read...it sounded like it was right up her alley. Only to have my her tell me it was full of foul language and inappropriate behavior (she is pretty good at policing herself!). Shame on me for not reading it first. (I DO intend to read it by the way, so I talk her through whatever damage has been done.) She is a pretty mature 12-year-old, and understands the difference between right and wrong. Does this mean that she should read this stuff? I think she would choose not to. It makes her uncomfortable and finds it distasteful, and prefers books that make her feel like a happy, normal 12-year-old.
It is refreshing to read a book with a wholesome message. Ultimately, the proof is in Emma's attitude towards this book, which, as I said earlier, she has read three times and has rated it with quite a bit of love.
Emma: 5 out of 5 starsMe: 4 out of 5 stars
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