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brittany_alleman_ayers's review against another edition
3.0
I have always loved the Calvin and Hobbes comic strip, it has a special place in my heart. Now I also have a lot of respect for the strip's creator. Reading this book was a treat.
karmakat's review against another edition
3.0
A look into the life of Bill Watterson. Not as good as the interview with him in Exploring Calvin and Hobbes.
tinkerer's review against another edition
2.0
It was interesting background information on the comic strip and the personality behind it, but the writing was not that great, to the point where it distracted me. I think the main dissonance was that the writer appears to be a magazine writer foremost, and I don't pick up a book to read magazine-writing. Also, I didn't think his references or style were useful to the subject at hand and were instead there to showcase how much he knew/how cool he was as a culture writer. Again, that's not what I pick up a book for and I had to skim to get the info I wanted. However,there isn't really anywhere else to go for the trajectory of Calvin and Hobbes all in one book.
jnepal's review against another edition
3.0
Watterson, an interesting character. Probably a little selfish in his desire to protect his creation from fears that Calvin and Hobbes would be mis-translated or misused.
But I love Calvin and Hobbes, nothing can change that.
But I love Calvin and Hobbes, nothing can change that.
christinegoboyle's review against another edition
3.0
As a die hard fan of Calvin and Hobbes I really enjoyed this book. There were a few things I already knew but it was well written and there were a lot I didn't know that I was happy to learn about. Although I don't know if I wanted to know about what a recluse he I,s as well as a few less than flattering things about him. But overall glad I read it. Now I am all melancholic wanting to rush to read my Ultimate Collection.
mhanlon's review against another edition
3.0
This wasn't a crisp read. It wasn't a symphony. There were a lot of discordant notes, a lot of extraneous material that tripped me up when I just wanted to hang on to Nevin's subject: Bill Watterson and his brilliant strip.
His subject is what kept me reading. It was a pleasant trip back to consider that special magic that Calvin and Hobbes held. Sure, that trip's lens was smudged with Nevin's own perspective, perhaps too much, sometimes, but that's his prerogative, because it's his book. Did *I* get to write the story of Bill Watterson? No, Nevin did. And, if for nothing else, it was worth the time spent reflecting on the career and talents Mr. Watterson for a few hours. Thanks, Nevin, for getting us up off the couch for the jog down memory lane.
His subject is what kept me reading. It was a pleasant trip back to consider that special magic that Calvin and Hobbes held. Sure, that trip's lens was smudged with Nevin's own perspective, perhaps too much, sometimes, but that's his prerogative, because it's his book. Did *I* get to write the story of Bill Watterson? No, Nevin did. And, if for nothing else, it was worth the time spent reflecting on the career and talents Mr. Watterson for a few hours. Thanks, Nevin, for getting us up off the couch for the jog down memory lane.
rabbithero's review against another edition
5.0
AMAZING. THIS BOOK IS AMAZING.
I was literally brought to tears at a number of places while listening to this. I've been aware of the story of Calvin and Hobbes since the early 90s, when, as a boy, I read an extended interview with Watterson for the comics journal. But this, an almost oral history of the reclusive, brilliant artist, is a stroke of genius. Watterson from those who knew him best, without the input of Watterson himself; as an angle you can't do much better.
And on a personal note, it was an almost emotional experience to find, in Watterson, an artist more like myself: a by-nature withdrawn, introverted creative more driven to create a work of meaning than receive a paycheck or lose control of my work. Not to say I will ever be placed in the same league as Watterson, but it is a relief to find I may not be as off my rocker as some critics like to suggest.
I was literally brought to tears at a number of places while listening to this. I've been aware of the story of Calvin and Hobbes since the early 90s, when, as a boy, I read an extended interview with Watterson for the comics journal. But this, an almost oral history of the reclusive, brilliant artist, is a stroke of genius. Watterson from those who knew him best, without the input of Watterson himself; as an angle you can't do much better.
And on a personal note, it was an almost emotional experience to find, in Watterson, an artist more like myself: a by-nature withdrawn, introverted creative more driven to create a work of meaning than receive a paycheck or lose control of my work. Not to say I will ever be placed in the same league as Watterson, but it is a relief to find I may not be as off my rocker as some critics like to suggest.
happenstance's review against another edition
3.0
It's not bad ... not as substantial as I'd hoped for, but some interesting tidbits of information from Watterson's contemporaries, friends, and families. The tone was a bit pretentious now and again, and there's a definite fanboy-feel to the writing, but overall, I enjoyed it.
mhanlon's review
3.0
This wasn't a crisp read. It wasn't a symphony. There were a lot of discordant notes, a lot of extraneous material that tripped me up when I just wanted to hang on to Nevin's subject: Bill Watterson and his brilliant strip.
His subject is what kept me reading. It was a pleasant trip back to consider that special magic that Calvin and Hobbes held. Sure, that trip's lens was smudged with Nevin's own perspective, perhaps too much, sometimes, but that's his prerogative, because it's his book. Did *I* get to write the story of Bill Watterson? No, Nevin did. And, if for nothing else, it was worth the time spent reflecting on the career and talents Mr. Watterson for a few hours. Thanks, Nevin, for getting us up off the couch for the jog down memory lane.
His subject is what kept me reading. It was a pleasant trip back to consider that special magic that Calvin and Hobbes held. Sure, that trip's lens was smudged with Nevin's own perspective, perhaps too much, sometimes, but that's his prerogative, because it's his book. Did *I* get to write the story of Bill Watterson? No, Nevin did. And, if for nothing else, it was worth the time spent reflecting on the career and talents Mr. Watterson for a few hours. Thanks, Nevin, for getting us up off the couch for the jog down memory lane.
tallblackguy's review
3.0
I liked the book because it brought back great memories of great strips, but the very premise of the book is the quest to talk to a man who, quite simply, does NOT WANT TO BE TALKED TO. There's a part of me that is interested in the backstory, the family life, the influences and those he's influenced, and this serves as a compendium of such.
That this book does well. But Bill Watterson has moved on and, rightly or wrongly, has decided not to be a public figure, and you have to respect that.
That this book does well. But Bill Watterson has moved on and, rightly or wrongly, has decided not to be a public figure, and you have to respect that.