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dr_rachelmcshane's reviews
433 reviews
Unlikely by Jeffrey Brown
2.0
This graphic novel is all about Jeffery Brown’s first relationship (and how it failed). I love memoir-type graphic novels, but unfortunately, this one did NOT live up to my expectations. I had lots of problems with it.
First of all, it was a pity party through and through—his girlfriend Alyson CLEARLY had some real mental health issues that led to the demise of their relationship, but Jeff never seemed to be concerned about it and only really seemed to care when the symptoms of her mental illness affected or inconvenienced him. It has an overall tone that said, “Wahhhh, she won’t take her medication and her life is clearly spinning out of control—how dare she leave ME and ruin my life.” C’mon, man. Get over yourself.
Secondly, I didn’t like Jeff—I almost feel bad saying that, because it’s a memoir and he’s a real person, but I’m sorry. I couldn’t stand the dude. I wanted to know more about Alyson and her story, but it was all about Jeff, who was clingy and annoying and self-centered. When Alyson CLEARLY stated she needed space and finally decided that it was over, Jeff KEPT CALLING, expecting it all to work out in his favor, and then got mad at HER when she didn’t return the feelings. When Alyson CLEARLY expressed being uncomfortable and didn’t want to have sex, Jeff threw a fit and acted like he was entitled to it; PLUS, when Jeff DID finally pressure Alyson into having sex, it focused on how he could never finish. Again, it has a whiney tone that said, “Wahhhh, I’ve pressured this girl into sex and now I can’t keep it up.” And of course, that happens on more than one occasion—it’s basically a running theme in the book. Like, we get it, man. Your love life is tragic.
Finally, the illustrations looked like scribbles, which is apparently Jeff’s style, but it looked more like a draft and sometimes was difficult to even read the words or make out the pictures. Overall, if you can’t tell, I wasn’t a fan—like Jeff, it all just felt very anticlimactic.
First of all, it was a pity party through and through—his girlfriend Alyson CLEARLY had some real mental health issues that led to the demise of their relationship, but Jeff never seemed to be concerned about it and only really seemed to care when the symptoms of her mental illness affected or inconvenienced him. It has an overall tone that said, “Wahhhh, she won’t take her medication and her life is clearly spinning out of control—how dare she leave ME and ruin my life.” C’mon, man. Get over yourself.
Secondly, I didn’t like Jeff—I almost feel bad saying that, because it’s a memoir and he’s a real person, but I’m sorry. I couldn’t stand the dude. I wanted to know more about Alyson and her story, but it was all about Jeff, who was clingy and annoying and self-centered. When Alyson CLEARLY stated she needed space and finally decided that it was over, Jeff KEPT CALLING, expecting it all to work out in his favor, and then got mad at HER when she didn’t return the feelings. When Alyson CLEARLY expressed being uncomfortable and didn’t want to have sex, Jeff threw a fit and acted like he was entitled to it; PLUS, when Jeff DID finally pressure Alyson into having sex, it focused on how he could never finish. Again, it has a whiney tone that said, “Wahhhh, I’ve pressured this girl into sex and now I can’t keep it up.” And of course, that happens on more than one occasion—it’s basically a running theme in the book. Like, we get it, man. Your love life is tragic.
Finally, the illustrations looked like scribbles, which is apparently Jeff’s style, but it looked more like a draft and sometimes was difficult to even read the words or make out the pictures. Overall, if you can’t tell, I wasn’t a fan—like Jeff, it all just felt very anticlimactic.