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A review by vynexareads
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Even though Goodreads shows no proof, I read this graphic novel when it came out in 2019 and was not a fan at all.
Fast forward about 3 years later and I randomly thought about this graphic novel. Was curious to see what my thoughts had been exactly only to find out my history and review weren't there. I must've accidentally deleted it while cleaning out duplicate adds or something. Anyway, while book shopping, I came across this lonesome physical copy and something in me told me to purchase and reread it, even though I hadn't had the best experience in the past with her.
After rereading it yesterday into today, this has to be one of my most favorite graphic novels ever and it makes me feel so many things at once.
First thing, this graphic novel is incredibly Queer. Which is an obvious thing to say because of the synopsis, but the Queerness exudes and it's such a beautiful thing to witness.
Second, I felt Freddy so much more. Before when I read it the first time, I was so frustrated with her for not fully seeing her relationship's toxicity, for not seeing how bad of a friend she was being and for "allowing" Laura to fuck with her the way she consistently did. Yet I didn't realize it was such a fucked up way for me to think, I wasn't being gentle with her or understanding her. It was a very victim blaming way of me to think, upset with her in the way that I was upset with myself after getting out of a similar relationship around the same age. Calling the kettle black or whatever that saying is. It was unfair to her, my younger self and every person in similar relationships.
Third, I expected something completely different. Something cute and funny, even with the title, I didn't expect it to be as serious as it was.
The art is beautiful, I stared at so many panels for longer than necessary after reading the dialogue, the art keeping a hold of me and not letting me go. Soft art with a story that isn't as gentle.
It's amazing how rereading books during different times of you life can really change your thought and feelings on it, it never fails to make me sit and ponder.
I know this graphic novel isn't for everyone, but I'm so glad that it is for me this time around.
💕
⭐️ 5 STARS ⭐️
Fast forward about 3 years later and I randomly thought about this graphic novel. Was curious to see what my thoughts had been exactly only to find out my history and review weren't there. I must've accidentally deleted it while cleaning out duplicate adds or something. Anyway, while book shopping, I came across this lonesome physical copy and something in me told me to purchase and reread it, even though I hadn't had the best experience in the past with her.
After rereading it yesterday into today, this has to be one of my most favorite graphic novels ever and it makes me feel so many things at once.
First thing, this graphic novel is incredibly Queer. Which is an obvious thing to say because of the synopsis, but the Queerness exudes and it's such a beautiful thing to witness.
Second, I felt Freddy so much more. Before when I read it the first time, I was so frustrated with her for not fully seeing her relationship's toxicity, for not seeing how bad of a friend she was being and for "allowing" Laura to fuck with her the way she consistently did. Yet I didn't realize it was such a fucked up way for me to think, I wasn't being gentle with her or understanding her. It was a very victim blaming way of me to think, upset with her in the way that I was upset with myself after getting out of a similar relationship around the same age. Calling the kettle black or whatever that saying is. It was unfair to her, my younger self and every person in similar relationships.
Third, I expected something completely different. Something cute and funny, even with the title, I didn't expect it to be as serious as it was.
The art is beautiful, I stared at so many panels for longer than necessary after reading the dialogue, the art keeping a hold of me and not letting me go. Soft art with a story that isn't as gentle.
It's amazing how rereading books during different times of you life can really change your thought and feelings on it, it never fails to make me sit and ponder.
I know this graphic novel isn't for everyone, but I'm so glad that it is for me this time around.
💕
⭐️ 5 STARS ⭐️