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eschoeps 's review for:
Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth
by Chris Ware
Goddamit. This book was an overwhelming masterpiece. I cried 4 times during this book, a new record for me. Despite the overly emotional reaction, this book isn't just a tear jerker, but a work of art. Dense and beautiful, this book makes you work for the heart breaking ending.
An examination of trauma through history, the background story hurts just as much as the main story arc, if not more. On top of juggling multiple story lines, Chris Ware also handles lots of complex symbols and motifs that gently move through both story lines, keeping things connected and cohesive. Chris Ware takes on A LOT, and makes it seem effortless. Yes, you need to stop, absorb, and constantly make sure you're grasping the story line and the various symbols, but the thinking is part of the process, and was absolutely worth it. This book is a pictoral expression of pain, discomfort, and trauma with a narrative attached. Although the narrative is important, well-constructed, and obviously central, the author's use of symbol and image to convey pain is what kept me so heavily invested.
Quite honestly, I'm seriously considering re-reading this entire book as soon as I finish typing this review. There is so much I've yet to explore, and the sheer volume of what Ware has created is daunting an exciting. I'll probably add on this review with future re-reads.
Go read this book, and DON'T SKIP THE "APOLOGY" ON THE ENDPAPER OF THE BACK. Just reading the apology made me cry a final time.
An examination of trauma through history, the background story hurts just as much as the main story arc, if not more. On top of juggling multiple story lines, Chris Ware also handles lots of complex symbols and motifs that gently move through both story lines, keeping things connected and cohesive. Chris Ware takes on A LOT, and makes it seem effortless. Yes, you need to stop, absorb, and constantly make sure you're grasping the story line and the various symbols, but the thinking is part of the process, and was absolutely worth it. This book is a pictoral expression of pain, discomfort, and trauma with a narrative attached. Although the narrative is important, well-constructed, and obviously central, the author's use of symbol and image to convey pain is what kept me so heavily invested.
Quite honestly, I'm seriously considering re-reading this entire book as soon as I finish typing this review. There is so much I've yet to explore, and the sheer volume of what Ware has created is daunting an exciting. I'll probably add on this review with future re-reads.
Go read this book, and DON'T SKIP THE "APOLOGY" ON THE ENDPAPER OF THE BACK. Just reading the apology made me cry a final time.