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A review by thewordsdevourer
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki
emotional
reflective
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
2.25
finally got around to reading this, and laura dean keeps breaking up with me imo is a graphic novel w/ great art meandered by an important though frustrating story.
this book is effortlessly queer and it's great to see how everyone's so comfortable w/ their queerness, though some realistic homophobia exists as well. however, my fav thing abt this book is the art, how valero-o'connell is able to strike the perfect balance of simplicity and detail in her lineart, in addition to a distinct sense of place and great composition + transition. The usage of pink - either for emphasis or separation - in certain panels and scenes also injects a refreshing and effective pop of color that not only complements but also elevates the story.
speaking of story, it's certainly an effective one as it makes me wanna tear my hair out. the toxicity and emotional manipulation in freddy and laura's relationship is very realistically depicted, and thus frustrates me to no end. the book's subject matter and themes are certainly important, esp considering its demographic, however the main characters and their dynamic exasperate me too much to glance at this book and not have some sense of irritation bubble up. i also wish the ending was a lil longer to see freddy and her friends beyond the toxicity imposed by laura's presence, just to balance things out a bit.
overall, this graphic novel is one that sheds some crucial awareness on emotional abuse in relationships - all the more rare bc it's a queer one between girls - and the art's certainly lovely, but i personally dislike some of the characters and their dynamic to be able to say w/ my whole chest that i like this book, thus the 2.75 rating.
this book is effortlessly queer and it's great to see how everyone's so comfortable w/ their queerness, though some realistic homophobia exists as well. however, my fav thing abt this book is the art, how valero-o'connell is able to strike the perfect balance of simplicity and detail in her lineart, in addition to a distinct sense of place and great composition + transition. The usage of pink - either for emphasis or separation - in certain panels and scenes also injects a refreshing and effective pop of color that not only complements but also elevates the story.
speaking of story, it's certainly an effective one as it makes me wanna tear my hair out. the toxicity and emotional manipulation in freddy and laura's relationship is very realistically depicted, and thus frustrates me to no end. the book's subject matter and themes are certainly important, esp considering its demographic, however the main characters and their dynamic exasperate me too much to glance at this book and not have some sense of irritation bubble up. i also wish the ending was a lil longer to see freddy and her friends beyond the toxicity imposed by laura's presence, just to balance things out a bit.
overall, this graphic novel is one that sheds some crucial awareness on emotional abuse in relationships - all the more rare bc it's a queer one between girls - and the art's certainly lovely, but i personally dislike some of the characters and their dynamic to be able to say w/ my whole chest that i like this book, thus the 2.75 rating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Abortion
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Adult/minor relationship