A review by bluepigeon
The Good Times are Killing Me by Lynda Barry

5.0

Lynda Barry's The Good Times Are Killing Me is different than One Hundered Demons; the latter is entirely comic/art based, while the former is mostly prose with a small drawing to start each vignette and the art work (collage, drawing, etc) more in the music album and afterword at the end of the book. The story in Good Times is threaded through with music, especially that special place music plays in young people's lives before things felt are properly named, before adulthood "defines" everything. From the lullabies to first songs to corny music to music only some people listen to, the judgements and joys of life and society are focused through the lens of music and told from the point of view of a young (white) girl who's best friend, for a time, is a feisty, black girl. The friendship, from its rocky, rule-breaking start to its sad, heart-breaking end is the definition of coming-of-age. The innocence and naiveté is balanced with spunk, intensity, and energy particular to younger people.

Recommended for those who like kickball, hillbilly music, kicking ass, and piano lessons.