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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
Oh boy. I had no idea that this graphic novel would be this heavy. The art and writing is extra-ordinary! The story follows four characters whose lives are interwoven in Omaha, Nebraska. The themes presented are substantial: racism, female objectification, depression, addiction, loss of a parent- it goes on. This definitely flipped my idea of what a graphic novel can do.
3.5/4 and the 4 is primarily because of miss cole's story which was, in my opinion, the most interesting part of this book. overall though, i am not ok.
ware's art style, his understanding of just how shitty life is, how shitty men can be and how shitty the world can be is a rare understanding to have. the misogyny of the characters was a little much sometimes and there were many times when i was worried about whether or not ware could tell miss cole's story, i was afraid it would come off as racist, filled with stereotypes, etc. but i'm impressed. i would have not enjoyed this as much had joanna's story line not been there and the more i think about it the more it breaks my heart. i loved the other storylines in here as well and i am definitely excited to read more of his work!!!
ware's art style, his understanding of just how shitty life is, how shitty men can be and how shitty the world can be is a rare understanding to have. the misogyny of the characters was a little much sometimes and there were many times when i was worried about whether or not ware could tell miss cole's story, i was afraid it would come off as racist, filled with stereotypes, etc. but i'm impressed. i would have not enjoyed this as much had joanna's story line not been there and the more i think about it the more it breaks my heart. i loved the other storylines in here as well and i am definitely excited to read more of his work!!!
Have you ever finished a book and thought, I'm not sure I got all that but I think it was genius?
There was a lot going on in this book and I'm not sure I caught everything, this is definitely one I'll have to reread.
First, my only real complaint is that there was a lot going on stylistically, often this was an amazing storytelling device but at other times is was very difficult to follow and read. Also some boxes and text were so small I felt like I needed a magnifying glass to read which really took me out of the story.
This book could really be split into 4 parts. An introduction followed by three character studies.
Part 1 This is basically an introduction to all the main players, we watch them interact and coexists at the same small private school on a winter day in Nebraska. One really cool feature was that for a large portion of this part there was a story happening in parallel so at part of crossover there was repetition creating a really cool effect.
The rest of the parts focused on the lives (like almost the entire lives) of specific characters.
Part 2 - W. K. Brown, a one time Science Fiction writer who is now a high school English teacher who hates his life. In this section we actually get to read the character's award winning sci-fi story, and I will never forget it. Haunting.
Part 3 - Jordan Lint, a high school stoner asshole we actually gain some sympathy for (and then lose again). This story did a particularly great job of taking us through someone's entire life and seeing how the "sins" of the father are often the burden of the son.
Part 4- Joanna Cole, a black woman and 3rd grade teacher at the school. Joanna, was the most likable character (one of the only likable characters?). Her story, like the others is tragic but at least ends with a little more optimism.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys character driven stories and doesn't mind bleak reality. Not a feel-good read despite the poetic intro about snowflakes.
There was a lot going on in this book and I'm not sure I caught everything, this is definitely one I'll have to reread.
First, my only real complaint is that there was a lot going on stylistically, often this was an amazing storytelling device but at other times is was very difficult to follow and read. Also some boxes and text were so small I felt like I needed a magnifying glass to read which really took me out of the story.
This book could really be split into 4 parts. An introduction followed by three character studies.
Part 1 This is basically an introduction to all the main players, we watch them interact and coexists at the same small private school on a winter day in Nebraska. One really cool feature was that for a large portion of this part there was a story happening in parallel so at part of crossover there was repetition creating a really cool effect.
The rest of the parts focused on the lives (like almost the entire lives) of specific characters.
Part 2 - W. K. Brown, a one time Science Fiction writer who is now a high school English teacher who hates his life. In this section we actually get to read the character's award winning sci-fi story, and I will never forget it. Haunting.
Part 3 - Jordan Lint, a high school stoner asshole we actually gain some sympathy for (and then lose again). This story did a particularly great job of taking us through someone's entire life and seeing how the "sins" of the father are often the burden of the son.
Part 4- Joanna Cole, a black woman and 3rd grade teacher at the school. Joanna, was the most likable character (one of the only likable characters?). Her story, like the others is tragic but at least ends with a little more optimism.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys character driven stories and doesn't mind bleak reality. Not a feel-good read despite the poetic intro about snowflakes.
I don't know where I stand on this one. I found some of the characters really reprehensible but everyone was very sad and depressing, which I suppose is the point.
If I could choose only one book to recommend my GoodReads friends to read, it would be Rusty Brown.
It would be this book because it is the most underappreciated and originally constructed work from my Favorites list on GoodReads.
On September 26th 2019 I emailed my university library:
No spoilers, but if you've got four minutes for a trailer, click here to hear Chris Ware describe the making of Rusty Brown
I think this book sincerely depicts the loneliness of reality to the same level and standard as works such as The Catcher In The Rye, Ham on Rye, Infinite Jest. I mean that the narrative includes ordinary events that make it relatable, while also showing how they can (surprisingly) lead to strong psychological experiences. What it does uniquely is to express things that would be extremely difficult with words, such as the first thing a baby sees, or exactly how its head looked like as came out of its mother.
The book contains three main character arcs, two of which have been previously published, one of which (Lint, Acme Novelty Library #20) has for a long time been mine (and perhaps the world's) favourite graphic novel. I've actually bought Lint twice already to give to as gifts. Now in this flawlessly expanded form beside the two other character arcs it cushions this gem and makes it more balanced.
Indie comics are one of the newest, most unexplored form of narrative, and I don't understand why people aren't paying more attention to them. Building Stories (the 'prequel' of sorts) was literally like a puzzle box, and now Rusty Brown interweaves life histories from within that same already gigantic story. I don't understand why most readers would rather read one more traditional fictional narrative when there's an entirely new written media genre unfolding right before our eyes about living today. It could be the price, the unavailability or the stigma of comics as being for young audiences, but I just simply urge you to Chris Ware's latest works down in whatever way you can.
I'll be meeting this incredible human being in Montreal at a book launch for D&Q and honestly I couldn't be more excited to meet any other living author.
It would be this book because it is the most underappreciated and originally constructed work from my Favorites list on GoodReads.
On September 26th 2019 I emailed my university library:
Please add this masterpiece, even if I have to read it in [the university library's special collections room for books too valuable to loan].
No spoilers, but if you've got four minutes for a trailer, click here to hear Chris Ware describe the making of Rusty Brown
I think this book sincerely depicts the loneliness of reality to the same level and standard as works such as The Catcher In The Rye, Ham on Rye, Infinite Jest. I mean that the narrative includes ordinary events that make it relatable, while also showing how they can (surprisingly) lead to strong psychological experiences. What it does uniquely is to express things that would be extremely difficult with words, such as the first thing a baby sees, or exactly how its head looked like as came out of its mother.
The book contains three main character arcs, two of which have been previously published, one of which (Lint, Acme Novelty Library #20) has for a long time been mine (and perhaps the world's) favourite graphic novel. I've actually bought Lint twice already to give to as gifts. Now in this flawlessly expanded form beside the two other character arcs it cushions this gem and makes it more balanced.
Like I sometimes cringe or feel a little sick when I read some gory or disgusting text, but some of these images make me laugh or recoil like words never could.
Indie comics are one of the newest, most unexplored form of narrative, and I don't understand why people aren't paying more attention to them. Building Stories (the 'prequel' of sorts) was literally like a puzzle box, and now Rusty Brown interweaves life histories from within that same already gigantic story. I don't understand why most readers would rather read one more traditional fictional narrative when there's an entirely new written media genre unfolding right before our eyes about living today. It could be the price, the unavailability or the stigma of comics as being for young audiences, but I just simply urge you to Chris Ware's latest works down in whatever way you can.
I'll be meeting this incredible human being in Montreal at a book launch for D&Q and honestly I couldn't be more excited to meet any other living author.
I strongly recommend this book just for the presentation, which is beautiful and cinematic and detailed. But I kind of wish Ware would switch up the (incessantly gloomy) mood now and then.
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don’t think I’ve ever seen the loneliness of aging so precisely rendered in any medium.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another beautiful and depressing Chris Ware book. Jimmy Corrigan was better.
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes