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yates9's review
4.0
Well honed comedic self deprecating critique of the world of a graphic novelist. The drawings easily pass unnoticed. The internal dialogue is perfect.
I wish the author let himself go a little more, when he does there is something of magic.
I wish the author let himself go a little more, when he does there is something of magic.
adamskiboy528491's review
4.25
"Haven’t we seen a little too much of the hip, muted, fragmented, overly-short short stories that this moron is trying to pass off as fresh and original?”
The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist by Adrian Tomine follows a fictional depiction of Tomine at various comics industry-related events and incidents throughout the years, beginning from his early fame as an independent artist in the 1990s to his life as a father in the late 2010s, and depicts the loneliness, insecurity, and isolation he felt about his career at each point in time.
The fictional version of Adrian Tomine constantly puts himself down or feels left out in the middle of events that ostensibly celebrate his success. He narrates several incidents where people don't show up to signings, prefer more famous authors to him, or spout negative opinions of his work in his presence. When he's interviewed for NPR, this insecurity is rendered as a "spirit" version of Tomine, who overthinks his manner of speaking, calls his answers to the host's questions subpar, and tells him that the awkward interview will be immortalised.
tobinlopes's review
4.0
I learned about Adrian during the very cruise mentioned in this work. I remember interacting with him and I hope I didn't make an ass of myself or him. I do know that as a result of that trip I've been reading his comics since. And this one is quite good. The stories are real, sad, funny, lonely, inspiring - like LIFE is.
I'm glad to have met Adrian so long ago (and all the other creators on that trip) because it opened my world to so much more art.
You should read this if you like good "life" novellas or graphic novels. The design of the book is also quite awesome!
-tpl
I'm glad to have met Adrian so long ago (and all the other creators on that trip) because it opened my world to so much more art.
You should read this if you like good "life" novellas or graphic novels. The design of the book is also quite awesome!
-tpl
reickel's review
2.0
Maybe I would've enjoyed this a lot more if I revered Tomine's other more established work, but I'm a mix of mostly unfamiliar and not blown away. The problem is, as he highlights at the end (spoilers?): he's an easily-wounded narcissist. I just don't really enjoy reading about him.
zebac's review
5.0
I loved this book, there were parts that made me laugh so hard, and it is also tender, honest and decent. I hope, that if I ever have the chance to meet Tomine, it will be after learning how to say his name correctly.
dianametzger's review
4.0
Love the design and a few really laugh out loud funny moments. The self deprecative tone wears thin eventually as it plays the same note but the book really redeems itself when he meets his wife and they become parents and that starts to color how he sees his work. Makes me think how much I’d love to read a graphic novel from him about being a parent.
thenextgenlibrarian's review
This graphic novel was very angry and weird and I just felt uncomfortable throughout the entire thing. Not a fan and won’t recommend it for #MaverickList
davygibbs's review
2.0
The first 85% of this book is a big big dose of downer that a superficial and moralizing final act doesn't really justify. Love his clean lines, always have, but there's got to be better book ideas in his head than this one.