Reviews

Cecil and Jordan in New York by Gabrielle Bell

tildahlia's review against another edition

4.0

This was a great series of comics that spans the hyper-realistic to the fantastical. There was so much creativity and weirdness in the stories that still managed to connect so closely to real emotions. My favourites included 'My Affiction' and the title story. A great read.

kaelino's review against another edition

3.0

Collection of short comic stories. Somewhat enjoyable at times, but not much to tie the stories together. They also often end ambiguously and without much punch. One reviewer of this book mentioned how the characters tend to look alike and I agree, similar faces, same body types. I was also confused whether some of the characters featured in one story were the same characters in other stories; that was hard to tell due to the similar faces, hairstyles. Overall the collection was underwhelming but I probably would have enjoyed an expansion on a few of them, particularly Felix, Gabrielle the Third, or I Feel Nothing.

ula_j's review against another edition

3.0

Between 3 and 4 stars. Some clever and interesting storytelling but it's hard for me to give 4 stars to a book of short story cartoons.

k_sok's review against another edition

2.0

Sweet and sad, but I missed a strong narrative through line - just didn't make a strong impression

saidtheraina's review against another edition

2.0

I REALLY like Gabrielle Bell's stuff.

In small servings.

I know, I feel like a bad comic fan, a bad autobiocomic fan.

I consistently adore Bell's stuff in collections like [b:The Best American Comics 2010|7915861|The Best American Comics 2010|Neil Gaiman|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1301802540s/7915861.jpg|11206783] and [b:Stuck in the Middle: 17 Comics from an Unpleasant Age|105731|Stuck in the Middle 17 Comics from an Unpleasant Age|Ariel Schrag|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171558995s/105731.jpg|3278243], but I think that's because they sit like little moments in time in the midst of more wacky, wild styles of illustration.

When I'm reading a whole bunch of her stories all at once (like here), I begin to notice how fixed her figures feel. How similar all the faces are. How little actually happens. But mostly the fixed thing. I want to like her stuff, but I feel distanced by the stiffness, and have a hard time connecting with what she might really be thinking. It's beautiful, but suffers without contrast.

hevreads719's review against another edition

reflective fast-paced

3.25

Some of the stories are much better than others.

atippmann's review against another edition

4.0

Graphic novels are my favorite way to practice my Spanish!
This one was quite good, some really lovely moments and some good stories and some weird ones too. I love her drawing style and the way she captures daily life but in an introspective way.
Definitely enjoyed this book.

bananote's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

quietjenn's review against another edition

3.0

This one has the benefit of not being autobiographical. The stories are, for the most part, weird and surreal and interesting and the art is much more confident.

timlockridge's review against another edition

4.0

Bell's vignettes are perfect: sweet, succinct, a bit manic and manically rendered. I look forward to her first book-length work.