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kickpleat's review
4.0
Not quite a graphic novel and definitely not a children's story, but unique with wonderful illustrations and a weird and interesting story. Super short, packs a small wallop!
mikuriina's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lazuliz's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
levitybooks's review
4.0
This story is a quick macabre mystery that reminded me a bit of a less devastating version of Paul Hornschemeier's 'Mother, Come Home'. The story flows very well, the cover made me think it was going to be absurd and impersonal, but it was surprisingly serious and sad. I would have liked it to be a bit longer or balanced in pacing, it ends too quickly, abruptly and cryptically for my liking. I think the story in general tinkered too safely on the edge of surreal horror, and I think DeForge should have been bolder with the narrative and kept plummeting on to something more ghastly, because he was clearly capable of it!
---Post-review reflections---
I much prefer DeForge's closely linear narratives (as in this book and 'Big Kids') as opposed to his 'world-building' narratives (as in 'Ant Colony' and 'Sticks Angelica, Folk Hero'). I think DeForge's surreal art style better accentuates moments in moody personal stories, and becomes dull and overused when drawing expansive art worlds. If I had to justify this, I'd say that when everything and everyone is drawn quirky they all become normal-seeming within the fictional world, and therefore the art style itself becomes unnecessary—a similar argument people including myself raise when criticizing Spiegelman's Maus characters as not a great plot device given that it did not affect the reactions within or between characters in the story, and therefore potentially detracts value by limiting the realism and facial expression details which could elevate the impact of such a realistic and emotionally-charged narrative.
What is weird is what is misunderstood, and in this way, DeForge's surreal art could be used to illustrate naturally occurring things which are surreal to the reader's understanding, such as the depth and fluidity of sexuality in Big Kids and the complexity and rehabilitation of psychiatric conditions in First Year Healthy. This could allow him to more directly portray our unease or misunderstanding of a thing rather than by way of representing the thing itself, and if he chose to create more explicit messages in future works, this medium would put him in a very good position for making some seriously thought-provoking and entertaining narratives. For now, I just hope he continues to hone this narrative style because it is already good enough for me!
---Post-review reflections---
I much prefer DeForge's closely linear narratives (as in this book and 'Big Kids') as opposed to his 'world-building' narratives (as in 'Ant Colony' and 'Sticks Angelica, Folk Hero'). I think DeForge's surreal art style better accentuates moments in moody personal stories, and becomes dull and overused when drawing expansive art worlds. If I had to justify this, I'd say that when everything and everyone is drawn quirky they all become normal-seeming within the fictional world, and therefore the art style itself becomes unnecessary—a similar argument people including myself raise when criticizing Spiegelman's Maus characters as not a great plot device given that it did not affect the reactions within or between characters in the story, and therefore potentially detracts value by limiting the realism and facial expression details which could elevate the impact of such a realistic and emotionally-charged narrative.
What is weird is what is misunderstood, and in this way, DeForge's surreal art could be used to illustrate naturally occurring things which are surreal to the reader's understanding, such as the depth and fluidity of sexuality in Big Kids and the complexity and rehabilitation of psychiatric conditions in First Year Healthy. This could allow him to more directly portray our unease or misunderstanding of a thing rather than by way of representing the thing itself, and if he chose to create more explicit messages in future works, this medium would put him in a very good position for making some seriously thought-provoking and entertaining narratives. For now, I just hope he continues to hone this narrative style because it is already good enough for me!
starnosedmole's review
4.0
An eerie and succinct graphic novel about relationships and mental illness.
jonathanwlodarski's review
5.0
Imagine that someone broke into your brain while you were sleeping, stole all of your nightmares, and then made it a book. Here you go!
5/5
5/5
weepywillows's review against another edition
4.0
a very peculiar but enjoyable illustrated short story. a good blend of eerie and funny