Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Like Maus, Stuck Rubber Baby deals with the intersection of the personal and the historical, in this case, a young man coming of age in the South during the Civil Rights era while coming to understand his own gay identity. It belongs in two canons, really: coming of age stories and graphic novels, as it's a masterwork of both. The visual style is straight out of 70s/80s underground comix, and the narration is reminiscent of Harvey Pekar. Most of the pages have a tightly traditional, moderately dense grid structure, making it a slower read than many graphic novels, but that only makes the panels and pages that break out of that pattern all the more powerful, mirroring the struggles between the comforts and shackles of tradition as all of the characters negotiate authentic identities against the backdrop of the turbulent 60s.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Stuck Rubber Baby is one of those stories that gives hesitation at first, but then leaves you speechless once you finish it.
An okay story about the struggles of a gay man living in the south. I felt that the characters stories were drawn out and the storyline seemed to be going in circles in the middle section. I think it is an important work to recognize for the themes that it discusses, but It probably doesn't get much recognition because of the storyline.
Having grown up in the eighties and nineties, this book really helps put into perspective how difficult being a gay guy was back in the fifties and sixties. I was aware of it of course, but actually seeing a (fictionalised) account of a gay man's struggle back then really helps paint a picture of how messed up the world was.
Although life is better for homosexuals and minorities in western countries, it's good to keep in mind that this sort of shit is always a couple of radical movements away from descending back into hatred and intolerance.
Uh, I didn't mean to turn this review into a sermon but these are the thoughts that were going through my head while reading.
Although life is better for homosexuals and minorities in western countries, it's good to keep in mind that this sort of shit is always a couple of radical movements away from descending back into hatred and intolerance.
Uh, I didn't mean to turn this review into a sermon but these are the thoughts that were going through my head while reading.
4.5 stars, really. Quite an interesting read. You just kind of get sick of the main character after a while. The level of denial and self-importance is excruciatingly high.
This was such a great graphic novel. I can't believe I haven't heard more about it until now. Such a great story about race, identity, sexuality, and American history and culture (particularly during the Civil Rights movement)
Astonishingly, for most of the book I just felt bored. This is a story about one man coming to terms with his sexuality, while a civil rights movement is happening all around him and he gets involved, but only involved enough to impress someone he is dating. Every step of the way the main character cares about himself more than anyone else and it just feels icky, specifically seeing how much the author focuses on the fact that this is fiction, there was nothing stopping the author from making his main character care more about the world around him, instead, he is no better than everyone arguing that it is "just not an issue that changes anything in their lives".
Overall, this is a pretty good reflection on views on homosexuality (and no other part of LGBTQIA+ community) in 1960's and nothing else outside that, really.
My only book note is about the introduction, because
“It is ever the conundrum of the introducer of something really good that the thing itself needs no introduction, it needs only to be read.” seeing, that we are on page 4 of introduction, I take it that this is not something ‘really good’
Overall, this is a pretty good reflection on views on homosexuality (and no other part of LGBTQIA+ community) in 1960's and nothing else outside that, really.
My only book note is about the introduction, because
“It is ever the conundrum of the introducer of something really good that the thing itself needs no introduction, it needs only to be read.” seeing, that we are on page 4 of introduction, I take it that this is not something ‘really good’
Phenomenal. An old friend has touted this book as long as I've known him and I'm very glad I finally read it. Very complicated and moving and real.
Dated in a mid-90's "white person puts themselves in the middle of a civil rights narrative" way, but the story, and the character's arc, are well earned, with characters you grow to love and hate.