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Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth
Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth | Chris Ware
This first book from Chicago author Chris Ware is a pleasantly-decorated view at a lonely and emotionally-impaired "everyman" (Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth), who is provided, at age 36, the opportunity to meet his father for the first time. An improvisatory romance which gingerly deports itself between 1890's Chicago and 1980's small town Michigan, the reader is helped along by thousands of colored illustrations and diagrams, which, when read rapidly in sequence, provide a convincing illusion of life and movement. The bulk of the work is supported by fold-out instructions, an index, paper cut-outs, and a brief apology, all of which concrete to form a rich portrait of a man stunted by a paralyzing fear of being disliked. From the Hardcover edition.
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review
Robotswithpersonality
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Panpan

As the note near the back explains, the author is obviously working out some issues about his own absent father. Not autobiographical, but it does share similarities with most graphic memoirs I've read, in that while I can see it as a cathartic experience for the writer, it doesn't feel as complete or useful an experience to the reader.
1/2

Robotswithpersonality 2/2 Deliberately vacillates between disturbing and miserable, all with unrelenting undercurrent of bored uncomfortableness.
Get flashes of an expansive imagination, I just personally wish it hadn't been put in service to create this.
Similarly, art style goes from competent to extraordinary depending on whether the characters' life or fantasies are focused on, but that makes the majority of the visuals a bummer or off putting.
⚠️Racism, misogyny, child abuse
2y
3 likes1 comment
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WeAreLegion
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Pickpick

This semi autobiography by artist Chris Ware is sad, beautiful, lonely and strangely engaging. The tale of a boy lost in life, echoed by the simultaneous story of his father as a boy the same age, Ware ruminates about the paths in life that we choose or are chosen for us. Laid out on a tight, rigid grid with a brilliant use of empty space and quiet, we are brought completely into Jimmy‘s world. Worth checking out!

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meltedsquirrel
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Chelsibno
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Pickpick

Reading this #graphicnovel was a unique experience. The story of 36-year-old Jimmy Corrigan meeting his father for the first time, the graphic novel also explores Jimmy's grandfather's abusive childhood. Full of both awkward and tragic moments, the story is sure to stick with readers. The book did start out slow, but once it picked up, I couldn't put it down. The frequent dream sequences reminded me a bit of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty".

29 likes1 stack add
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Jokila
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The depressing modern landscape of Jimmy Corrigan's Michigan: empty parking lots, fast food chains, shuttered businesses.

CherylDeFranceschi Chris Ware's work is so evocative. It always just blows my mind. 7y
ohyeahthatgirl Pretty accurate, too 7y
47 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Jokila
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Meanwhile:
The sound of one lung filling with water
Drowned out by wave after wave of a million buzzing locusts
An invisible chorus
That only knows how to sing

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kirstyreads
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Panpan

I've only ever read two graphic novels, both for university, and have enjoyed neither but the other one was 'Maus', so I think my issue is a discomfort with serious issues, in this case social anxiety and loneliness being portrayed in a form I by default associate with light more child-like lit? This was depressing af anyway. And the drawings are kind of creepy.

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Pat1287
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breakfast, new reading and new cup ♡

ephemeralwaltz Love it!!🤘❤ 8y
6 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Eastbriar
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Pickpick

Such a great graphic novel. This was recommended to me ages ago but I just finally got around to it. It wasn't the easiest to read, took me a few days, but so glad I took my time with it. I loved the illustrations and format of this one. A heartbreaking read but I loved it.

46 likes2 stack adds
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Vansa
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I love this panel, from this poignant,lovely meditation on parents and children.It captures waiting at a hospital so well.

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Flaneurette
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Dang it! I forgot to post yesterday but here are some random favorites today. I would likely pick different ones tomorrow....#augustphotochallenge #alltimefavebooks

LeahBergen Great picks. I loved The Moviegoer and The Wind-up Bird Chronicle 😃 8y
MrBook Great stack! "Cloud Atlas" is one of those books that people either really like or really dislike. I really liked it ?. 8y
shawnmooney Wind-up Bird!!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️❤️ 8y
15 likes4 comments
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smccallum
Pickpick

Stay with it and it is so worth it. The pace is very slow at the start but this is used to great and devastating effect as it progresses