i32505's review against another edition
4.0
A cute book that brings about that sad nostalgic feeling when you're reading it.
octavia_cade's review
3.0
This is an odd but appealing mix of fiction and nonfiction. The first two thirds of the book are a young adult novel, a coming of age type story in which a young girl navigates a difficult family life and the challenges of racism - particularly her own. It can be quite an uncomfortable read, as what Edna understands (or doesn't) about what's going on around her is often much more limited than what the reader understands is happening, so there are parts that just made me cringe... which I imagine is precisely the effect that Barry was going for. As a sort of aesthetic backdrop to the story, set in the 1950s or the 1960s I think, is Edna's appreciation for music, which is pretty much one of the few bright spots in her life.
The last third of the book are sketches - and when I say sketches, I mean page long summaries paired with actual paintings - that illustrate influential musicians and music styles of the early and mid twentieth century. They're interesting, and interesting in a different way than the novel, if only because music isn't something I know a great deal about. Even if I've a bare familiarity with the styles described here, a lot of the people featured are new to me, and I do like to learn new things.
The last third of the book are sketches - and when I say sketches, I mean page long summaries paired with actual paintings - that illustrate influential musicians and music styles of the early and mid twentieth century. They're interesting, and interesting in a different way than the novel, if only because music isn't something I know a great deal about. Even if I've a bare familiarity with the styles described here, a lot of the people featured are new to me, and I do like to learn new things.
ronurism's review against another edition
4.0
A poignant commentary of American social life, as narrated by a 6th grader.
riverjuniper's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
jeanetterenee's review against another edition
3.0
This is told in the voice of 12-year-old Edna Arkins, somewhat like Ellen Foster except that Edna's life is not as troubled as Ellen's.
The voice here is quite convincing, dwelling on just the sort of things you'd expect a 12-year-old girl in the 1960s to be concerned about.
The most interesting part of the book for me was the Music Notebook at the back. It gives brief histories of the various music styles of the South and some musician bios. Not a lot of detail, but it was surprising how much I learned. And it has some fine and funky mixed media artwork.
The version I read was the original from 1988, so it looks different than the 1999 one pictured here. This more recent version may not have the Music Notebook in the back, which would be a bummer. Look for the one with a blue cover and a picture of houses and upside down angels on the front.
The voice here is quite convincing, dwelling on just the sort of things you'd expect a 12-year-old girl in the 1960s to be concerned about.
The most interesting part of the book for me was the Music Notebook at the back. It gives brief histories of the various music styles of the South and some musician bios. Not a lot of detail, but it was surprising how much I learned. And it has some fine and funky mixed media artwork.
The version I read was the original from 1988, so it looks different than the 1999 one pictured here. This more recent version may not have the Music Notebook in the back, which would be a bummer. Look for the one with a blue cover and a picture of houses and upside down angels on the front.
stevendedalus's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe this felt more groundbreaking when it was first published, but the autobiographicalish novellette with the impossibly naive narrator just seems kind of old hat now.
The frankness of addressing race and poverty is solid, but none of the insights or stories are that compelling, it all just sort of is.
Girl grew up poor and uncool and reflects back on it all in a faux-naïf voice to boldly state all the subtext. It just feels like there's no depth or mystery beneath it all. It's all plainly presented on the page, easily accessible to you. It's not bad, but it's just a solid execution of a story your gran may tell. Good for a light afternoon quick read.
The frankness of addressing race and poverty is solid, but none of the insights or stories are that compelling, it all just sort of is.
Girl grew up poor and uncool and reflects back on it all in a faux-naïf voice to boldly state all the subtext. It just feels like there's no depth or mystery beneath it all. It's all plainly presented on the page, easily accessible to you. It's not bad, but it's just a solid execution of a story your gran may tell. Good for a light afternoon quick read.
nadinekc's review against another edition
4.0
It was fun to be inside the head of a 12 year old girl at around the same time I was a 12 year old girl. She felt very real. So real that calling this a novel, as the publisher blurb does, just feels wrong. Edna's music notebook at the end was great too.
schwalove's review against another edition
5.0
I don’t know how to say anything about Lynda Barry without sounding like an idiot with no grasp of language, because maybe language just won’t do. She makes things that are very real and very magical.
bluepigeon's review against another edition
5.0
Lynda Barry's The Good Times Are Killing Me is different than One Hundered Demons; the latter is entirely comic/art based, while the former is mostly prose with a small drawing to start each vignette and the art work (collage, drawing, etc) more in the music album and afterword at the end of the book. The story in Good Times is threaded through with music, especially that special place music plays in young people's lives before things felt are properly named, before adulthood "defines" everything. From the lullabies to first songs to corny music to music only some people listen to, the judgements and joys of life and society are focused through the lens of music and told from the point of view of a young (white) girl who's best friend, for a time, is a feisty, black girl. The friendship, from its rocky, rule-breaking start to its sad, heart-breaking end is the definition of coming-of-age. The innocence and naiveté is balanced with spunk, intensity, and energy particular to younger people.
Recommended for those who like kickball, hillbilly music, kicking ass, and piano lessons.
Recommended for those who like kickball, hillbilly music, kicking ass, and piano lessons.