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nolansmock's review
4.0
I knew from the description this would hit home; an emotionally neglected adolescent boy with no real relationship role models has absolutely no clue how to navigate interacting with girls and subsequently lets every relationship slip by. I sat on so many couches watching movies in suburban homes and had no clue what I was supposed to do after that. It was a blessing, looking back. Most of the people where I came from wanted things out of life that I don't. Jesus. Kids. No regrets but boy it was awkward. I was mostly focused on making art anyway. I basically had to be coerced into my first real relationship after college. We eventually divorced. Like most of the other women I spent time any time with after high school, she was gay.
Anyway. We've all come a long way since then.
This is that kind of sometimes painfully honest slice of life, for better or worse. My first go with Chester Brown and I enjoyed how sparse and episodic a lot of the storytelling and artwork was. I also didn't expect to also see a habit of eating plain saltines depicted. I had some in bed last night. My fav reading snack.
Do I treat these reviews like a diary sometimes? If I don't, maybe I should. I blame Letterboxd; they call your entries your "diary". Reviews are kind of stupid too, in a way. Oh, you didn't like that a book was slow? Or fast? Or too detailed? Not detailed enough? And you're going to complain about it? Wow. Get a life! Just joking. Kind of. (Talking to myself as well)
Anyway. We've all come a long way since then.
This is that kind of sometimes painfully honest slice of life, for better or worse. My first go with Chester Brown and I enjoyed how sparse and episodic a lot of the storytelling and artwork was. I also didn't expect to also see a habit of eating plain saltines depicted. I had some in bed last night. My fav reading snack.
Do I treat these reviews like a diary sometimes? If I don't, maybe I should. I blame Letterboxd; they call your entries your "diary". Reviews are kind of stupid too, in a way. Oh, you didn't like that a book was slow? Or fast? Or too detailed? Not detailed enough? And you're going to complain about it? Wow. Get a life! Just joking. Kind of. (Talking to myself as well)
theoisnotalive's review
2.0
i'm gonna be so honest i have no clue what this book was supposed to be about
syntaxx's review
fast-paced
2.0
Meh. Story never really went anywhere and fell flat for me. I felt bad for the mom; Chester is a shit son. I didn’t find the characters likable. I did enjoy the minimalist approach to page composition and felt it complemented the pacing.
unladylike's review
4.0
From being constantly made fun of for not cussing as an adolescent to losing a mentally ill parent and being clueless and awkward around peers, I could relate to many things in this book on a personal level.
richbarrett's review
4.0
Simultaneously touching and upsetting. Anyone with any social awkwardness in their past may find comfort in this weird little memoir or else it may hit too close for comfort. If nothing else though its all about the quiet pacing Brown sets up with his short scenes and spartan panel arrangements.
crankyisgood's review
I really liked this little book; most of it covers how shitty it is to be a kid and an adolescent in general, especially if you’re a little extra weird. Then his mom reveals she’s going to check herself into a psych ward, and then she’s not herself anymore, and then she’s just gone. And Chester still has to be his weird, lonely self.