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thisisstephenbetts's review against another edition
3.0
Everso slightly underwhelmed. I liked the style of the book, and Talbot's art is, as ever, frequently beautiful (though I'm less keen on his more cartoony, flat-colour style, than the softer, textured art that thankfully dominates the book). I also enjoyed the little notes from Mary Talbot, where Bryan's art differed from her memories. They made the book feel more of a living document. Unfortunately those tailed off later in the book, presumably because Mary and Bryan improved their communication.
The story interleaves Mary's life and her memories of her father, a James Joyce scholar, and that of Joyce's own daughter Lucia. Both threads were okay, but neither were strong enough as written to carry the book on their own. And neither particularly added anything to the other. So they just ended up propping each other up. Also Lucia's story comes to dominate the book, which is reasonable, but leaves the book feeling a little lopsided. Unfortunately it felt like two disjunct sequences of events, rather than a well-crafted narrative.
Part of the problem is that this feels like an ambitious book, but the execution didn't live up to my expectation. I normally don't mind when a book over-reaches, and can't quite pull things together. Unfortunately, in this case I felt that it under-reached.
The story interleaves Mary's life and her memories of her father, a James Joyce scholar, and that of Joyce's own daughter Lucia. Both threads were okay, but neither were strong enough as written to carry the book on their own. And neither particularly added anything to the other. So they just ended up propping each other up. Also Lucia's story comes to dominate the book, which is reasonable, but leaves the book feeling a little lopsided. Unfortunately it felt like two disjunct sequences of events, rather than a well-crafted narrative.
Part of the problem is that this feels like an ambitious book, but the execution didn't live up to my expectation. I normally don't mind when a book over-reaches, and can't quite pull things together. Unfortunately, in this case I felt that it under-reached.
jwinchell's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting. I loved learning about Joyce's daughter Lucia and putting both their careers together with my knowledge of other writers and artists in 1920s/30s Paris. And I admire Talbot for pursuing the parallels and connections between hers and Lucia's upcoming/coming of age, but I don't think she does enough to pull their stories together. Many page transitions are very abrupt and too many pages are densely loaded with text/images that don't always flow. I'm always open to new GN formats--love them, I do--but I experienced a lot of gaps while reading this, and my doubling back for better understanding didn't always pay off.
booksnpunks's review against another edition
3.0
This was a really well written and interesting graphic novel! I loved learning more about Joyce and his daughter because I wasn't aware of her story. Beckett, Ezra Pound and Man Ray make an appearance too which is cool. Don't think I'd read this again but it's a lovely story and if you are interested in Modernism and Joyce this is definitely for you.
scarletohhara's review against another edition
4.0
I saw the Talbots’ name on another book and grew curious, and since my library carried this book, I got it to sample their style of drawing and story telling - I liked them both.
The subject of this book is Lucia Joyce, James Joyce’s daughter, and her story is almost heart-wrenching- a talented girl forced to give up her career due to the pressures from the society and finally living her life being committed because of the madness induced by lack of a career - of course, everyone from my generation will feel for her.
Mary Talbot’s memoir interlaced with Lucia Joyce’s story felt a little forced at times - her life felt typical of the 60’s kids lives.
Get this book if you are interested in the domestic life of James Joyce.
The subject of this book is Lucia Joyce, James Joyce’s daughter, and her story is almost heart-wrenching- a talented girl forced to give up her career due to the pressures from the society and finally living her life being committed because of the madness induced by lack of a career - of course, everyone from my generation will feel for her.
Mary Talbot’s memoir interlaced with Lucia Joyce’s story felt a little forced at times - her life felt typical of the 60’s kids lives.
Get this book if you are interested in the domestic life of James Joyce.
saidtheraina's review against another edition
3.0
[a:Bryan Talbot|264213|Bryan Talbot|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1301584855p2/264213.jpg] creates some really amazing sequential art. [b:Grandville|6660561|Grandville (Grandville #1)|Bryan Talbot|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266811628s/6660561.jpg|6855323] is a highlight of my graphic novel reading history. [b:Alice in Sunderland|544595|Alice in Sunderland|Bryan Talbot|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1175665921s/544595.jpg|531882] is an amazing monsterwork.
Apparently, Mary Talbot is both Bryan Talbot's wife AND an academic expert on things like feminism and teen magazines and other things I'd enjoy studying.
This book is partially an autobiography of Mary (drawn by Bryan) and sort of a biography of the daughter of James Joyce. The two stories run parallel with different color schemes and illustration styles showing which story the Talbots are telling.
It's a neat idea. Mary Talbot's father was a prominent Joycean scholar and Lucia Joyce was a dancer in Paris who studied with Raymond Duncan (Isadora's brother) and Margaret Morris. Mary had a very negative relationship with her father, and Lucia had a good one with hers, though unfortunately the restrictions around women in her time lead to an eventual tragic end. Interesting, interesting, interesting.
Although Bryan's illustrations are lovely, occasionally the storytelling feels a little clunky. The narrative begins with Mary (though she's not identified) chosing to read a biography of Lucia on the train. After only a couple of pages, we transition into Mary's early life, but her story is told in first person. It is unclear whether the story is what Mary is reading or something she is thinking about. I found myself looking back and forth trying to figure out whose story was being told. Now that I know everyone's names, it's clear that this is the early life of Mary, but the way the book is introduced, it could easily have been Lucia. This is merely the first example of the occasionally confusing narrative.
Another thing that struck me as odd were the notes in small print typed in a few places. They start "NB" and comment on the illustrations (i.e. "My mother wouldn't have been seen dead in a frilly apron" when the apron in the frame is a frilly one). It's never explained why those kinds of details weren't changed as the couple worked on this book together. I didn't see the point.
Overall, though, I enjoyed these stories. Learning about women, academia, families, history, dance...
And I'm glad I read it.
Apparently, Mary Talbot is both Bryan Talbot's wife AND an academic expert on things like feminism and teen magazines and other things I'd enjoy studying.
This book is partially an autobiography of Mary (drawn by Bryan) and sort of a biography of the daughter of James Joyce. The two stories run parallel with different color schemes and illustration styles showing which story the Talbots are telling.
It's a neat idea. Mary Talbot's father was a prominent Joycean scholar and Lucia Joyce was a dancer in Paris who studied with Raymond Duncan (Isadora's brother) and Margaret Morris. Mary had a very negative relationship with her father, and Lucia had a good one with hers, though unfortunately the restrictions around women in her time lead to an eventual tragic end. Interesting, interesting, interesting.
Although Bryan's illustrations are lovely, occasionally the storytelling feels a little clunky. The narrative begins with Mary (though she's not identified) chosing to read a biography of Lucia on the train. After only a couple of pages, we transition into Mary's early life, but her story is told in first person. It is unclear whether the story is what Mary is reading or something she is thinking about. I found myself looking back and forth trying to figure out whose story was being told. Now that I know everyone's names, it's clear that this is the early life of Mary, but the way the book is introduced, it could easily have been Lucia. This is merely the first example of the occasionally confusing narrative.
Another thing that struck me as odd were the notes in small print typed in a few places. They start "NB" and comment on the illustrations (i.e. "My mother wouldn't have been seen dead in a frilly apron" when the apron in the frame is a frilly one). It's never explained why those kinds of details weren't changed as the couple worked on this book together. I didn't see the point.
Overall, though, I enjoyed these stories. Learning about women, academia, families, history, dance...
And I'm glad I read it.
franceswilde95's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing comparison of narratives in graphic novel form, both autobiographical and biographical. Skilled piece of writing and use of visuals