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cynicalflask's review
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
ezrasbabel's review
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Addiction, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Death of parent, Alcohol, Sexual violence, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Grief, Sexual harassment, Excrement, Drug use, and Alcoholism
tobin_elliott's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
1.75
I picked this up, as I come from a long line of alcoholics. My father, all his brothers and his sister, my brother, as well as a couple of friends of mine. I'm well acquainted with those who over-imbibe.
What I was hoping for—so really, much of the disappointment is on me, not the work—is that I'm always looking for insight into addiction. I'm always trying to understand why my father chose the contents of a bottle over this children, his wife, his job, and ultimately, his life.
I'm beginning to think, not just from this graphic novel, but from everything I've read, that there is no insight to be had. Addiction is a weakness. It's a collection of incredibly stupid choices, that mostly start with grabbing a bottle, and end wherever that alcohol-soaked mind takes you.
For example, in this case, waking up with an old street person trying to get your pants off, or waking up with your head in a vomit-coated garbage can.
Ames does a great job of showing how well he doesn't shut his brain off and obsesses over things that can be easily reasoned out for anyone else. He does a great job of showing the results of his addiction. He does a great job of painting himself in a very dim light.
I'd hoped at least for some awakening at the end—much like I did for my father when he decided to put his life back together—but both ended rather disappointingly.
Overall, this didn't impress me from any aspect: the writing, the art, or the insight.
What I was hoping for—so really, much of the disappointment is on me, not the work—is that I'm always looking for insight into addiction. I'm always trying to understand why my father chose the contents of a bottle over this children, his wife, his job, and ultimately, his life.
I'm beginning to think, not just from this graphic novel, but from everything I've read, that there is no insight to be had. Addiction is a weakness. It's a collection of incredibly stupid choices, that mostly start with grabbing a bottle, and end wherever that alcohol-soaked mind takes you.
For example, in this case, waking up with an old street person trying to get your pants off, or waking up with your head in a vomit-coated garbage can.
Ames does a great job of showing how well he doesn't shut his brain off and obsesses over things that can be easily reasoned out for anyone else. He does a great job of showing the results of his addiction. He does a great job of painting himself in a very dim light.
I'd hoped at least for some awakening at the end—much like I did for my father when he decided to put his life back together—but both ended rather disappointingly.
Overall, this didn't impress me from any aspect: the writing, the art, or the insight.
jeff_e79's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
chachized's review
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Humorous, frustrating, mostly sad and heartbreaking, Woody Allen meets Bukowski.
meli65's review
2.0
It's too bad - I really liked [a:Jonathan Ames'|2285|Jonathan Ames|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1221071651p2/2285.jpg] book [b:The Extra Man|1885|Pride and Prejudice|Jane Austen|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1158963071s/1885.jpg|3060926] and am generally a fan of graphic novels. This was just kind of dreary.
estherounette's review
4.0
C'est admirablement déprimant. Parfois drôle (autodérision et beaucoup de noirceur), souvent poignant. Je n'ai été capable de le lire qu'à petites bouchées, une dizaine de pages à la fois. C'est exactement de cette manière que je lis de la poésie. Je suis foncièrement incapable de comprendre des vers et de les laisser m'habiter si je les dévore comme une boulimique. Même chose avec The Alcoholic, qui menaçait de m'attirer dans sa spirale de beauté et d'horreur si j'en lisais trop en même temps. Les dessins sont superbes, l'histoire tragique, et le personnage est juste assez cliché pour que sa lucidité - son inconscience - lui consacre une humanité rarement vue dans d'autres romans graphiques.
jdoublep's review
3.0
had some very high moments and some very meh moments. engrossing artwork throughout which helped pull me through some of the narrative downturns.