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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
Awesome, excellent, necessary and interesting are all words I would like to use to describe this collection of nonfiction short stories. The cursive was a bit hard to read to start with, but that's a me problem not a book problem, and it quickly tapered off after the first story anyway. I had a very hard time putting this down and would highly recommend.
First, I can be superficial with graphic novels at times. The art style here is not visually-appealing, and the cursive writing is a pain to read. However, the art style in “Big Ma” didn’t look too bad. I think it’s the boldness of the lines and the faces that turn me off.
Anyway, Hot Comb features nuanced short stories all involving black hair in some shape or form (though some focus on it more than others). I understood the hot comb struggle all too well. By the time you finish one side, the other has crinkled up.
Still, I’m not really sure of what to make of this collection. Some of the stories feel unsettling like the one where the sister continually pulls out her hair. The one with the former “crackhead” sister just went nowhere. I get the little girl was having fun being carefree, wearing her grandma’s wigs, but what was the point? On the other hand, in "Sisters & Daughters" even though there was no real story, I just love seeing the aunt part the sections of hair and spray water. Just loved it.
Still, I also enjoy the straightforwardness of everything. I think the last comic “Angola” was my favorite.
3.5
Anyway, Hot Comb features nuanced short stories all involving black hair in some shape or form (though some focus on it more than others). I understood the hot comb struggle all too well. By the time you finish one side, the other has crinkled up.
Still, I’m not really sure of what to make of this collection. Some of the stories feel unsettling like the one where the sister continually pulls out her hair. The one with the former “crackhead” sister just went nowhere. I get the little girl was having fun being carefree, wearing her grandma’s wigs, but what was the point? On the other hand, in "Sisters & Daughters" even though there was no real story, I just love seeing the aunt part the sections of hair and spray water. Just loved it.
Still, I also enjoy the straightforwardness of everything. I think the last comic “Angola” was my favorite.
3.5
A collection of graphic shorts that explore race, family, addiction, mental health, self-harm, poverty and consumerism with visceral drawings. Ebony Flowers' art is effective in conducting the chaotic, loud, unpleasant moments of life, the overflow of emotions, as well as the quiet and watchful moment. The "advertisements" at the beginning of each story for hair products targeting women (and boys) are hilarious and thought-provoking. The stories range from the autobiographical first perm to discussions women have as they get their hair done. They are not necessarily about hair, though there are a few stories that do focus on hair as it relates to growing up, fitting in, and race relations.
Recommended for those who like hair, beauty products, ducks, road trips, and beaches.
Recommended for those who like hair, beauty products, ducks, road trips, and beaches.
What odd little stories. I loved them, even when I sometimes didn't fully grab them.
fast-paced
Great vignettes highlighting the black female experiencing, either clearly about hair, or using black women's relationship with hair as an element of the story. When the author used cursive it was a little hard to read so I couldn't enter into those stories as well.
It was nice to reminiscent of the times of when I got my first perm and the stigma that followed it. However, some of the stories were a little jumbled and maybe the scribble illustration, although unique, really hinder that experience.
Graphic short story collection that was The Believer magazine's "Fictional Book of the Year" for 2020. At times reminiscent of Red getting his conk in "The Autobiography of Malcolm X," but otherwise, gives us a picture of hair salon culture in a frazzled to neatly worked out style, I found readers such a s myself found as illuminating as Ice T's "Barber Shop" movies. . Probably highly autobiographical. Also delves into mother-daughter relationships with some depth. And in one sad tale, what it's like to be the only black on your softball team. Interesting...
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
These stories and characters fit the medium so perfectly that I cannot believe this is the first work of its kind that is focused on the everyday lives of Black women and girls.
A collection of culturally specific vignettes related to hair.
While reading, I thought of many friends who have expressed the fear of "white people" wanting to touch their hair. I also thought of how this book could replace other books used in classrooms as exemplars for writing narratives.
The graphics are plain and deserve coloration similar to the cover — although I get the potential for metaphorical interpretation.
While reading, I thought of many friends who have expressed the fear of "white people" wanting to touch their hair. I also thought of how this book could replace other books used in classrooms as exemplars for writing narratives.
The graphics are plain and deserve coloration similar to the cover — although I get the potential for metaphorical interpretation.