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saidtheraina's review against another edition
4.0
This was REALLY INTERESTING.
It's a physically big book - more than 8.5x11, more than 100 pages (so not super thick, but substantial). The front cover you can see a bit of here. The back cover is this really lovely collage of photographs (mostly of trees, so maybe I'm biased). Inside there are two extremely distinct styles of illustration/comic art.
The framing style, that starts and finishes the book, is full color, painted, quite similar to the front cover. Wide variety of panel layouts, striking color combinations, super distinctive figure illustration, cool speech bubble finesse at times.
Then, one of the characters starts reading another work, which makes up the second piece. This section is drawn very simply. One big square panel on the left page, one big square with a line or two of text on the right page. Black lines on white background, mostly.
In both styles, the figures generally have large bodies and small heads. Particularly in the framing style, there are lots of times when the same characters are drawn quite differently, panel to panel.
But this feels artful, not careless. There is thought here.
It feels extra notable that these characters have big bodies because the plotline in the second narrative revolves around a stripper going home with a client. We don't often see stories where sexualized bodies are large. This felt new.
Accessible while aesthetically interesting and experimental feeling.
And very very queer.
Read with:
[b: The Nao of Brown|13594590|The Nao of Brown|Glyn Dillon|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1344720163l/13594590._SX50_.jpg|19182847]
[b: BodyWorld|6324785|BodyWorld|Dash Shaw|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1330686178l/6324785._SY75_.jpg|6510333]
[b: Rent Girl|46640|Rent Girl|Michelle Tea|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388366835l/46640._SX50_.jpg|2552851]
[b: Drinking at the Movies|8489053|Drinking at the Movies|Julia Wertz|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327887159l/8489053._SX50_.jpg|13354451]
It's a physically big book - more than 8.5x11, more than 100 pages (so not super thick, but substantial). The front cover you can see a bit of here. The back cover is this really lovely collage of photographs (mostly of trees, so maybe I'm biased). Inside there are two extremely distinct styles of illustration/comic art.
The framing style, that starts and finishes the book, is full color, painted, quite similar to the front cover. Wide variety of panel layouts, striking color combinations, super distinctive figure illustration, cool speech bubble finesse at times.
Then, one of the characters starts reading another work, which makes up the second piece. This section is drawn very simply. One big square panel on the left page, one big square with a line or two of text on the right page. Black lines on white background, mostly.
In both styles, the figures generally have large bodies and small heads. Particularly in the framing style, there are lots of times when the same characters are drawn quite differently, panel to panel.
But this feels artful, not careless. There is thought here.
It feels extra notable that these characters have big bodies because the plotline in the second narrative revolves around a stripper going home with a client. We don't often see stories where sexualized bodies are large. This felt new.
Accessible while aesthetically interesting and experimental feeling.
And very very queer.
Read with:
[b: The Nao of Brown|13594590|The Nao of Brown|Glyn Dillon|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1344720163l/13594590._SX50_.jpg|19182847]
[b: BodyWorld|6324785|BodyWorld|Dash Shaw|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1330686178l/6324785._SY75_.jpg|6510333]
[b: Rent Girl|46640|Rent Girl|Michelle Tea|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388366835l/46640._SX50_.jpg|2552851]
[b: Drinking at the Movies|8489053|Drinking at the Movies|Julia Wertz|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327887159l/8489053._SX50_.jpg|13354451]
sloatsj's review against another edition
3.0
The artwork here is really terrific. The story --about a couple of old friends who run into each other after not seeing each other for years-- is also good. One is gay, the other apparently closeted. Artwork-wise, one of the more interesting graphic novels I've seen recently.
3rian's review against another edition
3.0
This was an odd and sad story (with unusual and sad art to match) about two old friends unexpectedly crossing paths after several years and the night they spend catching up. They decide to share a drink, then another, and then truths spill out about their pasts, along with conversations about identity and sexuality. It’s messy yet somehow that made it feel more honest and real.
For reasons that I didn’t initially get in the moment, the author switches gears and places a book within the book that features a completely different narrative and artistic style. It’s not as jarring as it could be, given the author’s skill in maintaining the same themes and tone.
All that said, this book doesn’t really “go” anywhere. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I personally found it enjoyable to immerse myself within its melancholic mood for a little bit, and it was short enough not to overstay its welcome.
Very different from the type of stuff I usually read, I did enjoy this one as more of a slice of life, be in the moment-type of reading experience.
For reasons that I didn’t initially get in the moment, the author switches gears and places a book within the book that features a completely different narrative and artistic style. It’s not as jarring as it could be, given the author’s skill in maintaining the same themes and tone.
All that said, this book doesn’t really “go” anywhere. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I personally found it enjoyable to immerse myself within its melancholic mood for a little bit, and it was short enough not to overstay its welcome.
Very different from the type of stuff I usually read, I did enjoy this one as more of a slice of life, be in the moment-type of reading experience.
mmk5110's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not sure what to think. It was quick, the art style was interesting and I don't think I understood the point the author was making...
nbweberg's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
3.5
The story was simple, but still hit a note within me about outgrowing loved ones. I really enjoyed the artwork and how visible the hand of the artist was. I love getting to see layers and textures and outlines in a finished-but-still-unfinished sort of way.
romcm's review against another edition
5.0
Old friends meet unexpectedly. They hash out old loves, old lives, and share their new identities.
emilychau's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
pam_'s review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol
filesm's review against another edition
5.0
“My curiosity was sated. I had been eavesdropping a type of life I had never wanted for myself”
lena_899's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a short comic that is about two friends finding eachother again after many years and spending an afternoon and evening together. It's queer and reflective, the art is really versatile and interesting.