Scan barcode
geekwayne's review
4.0
'Smahtguy: The Life and Times of Barney Frank' with story and art by Eric Omer is a biographical graphic novel about a democratic politician.
Barney Frank started his political career working in Boston for a mayor. Throughout his career, he fought for those without a voice, including the gay community. As a closeted gay man, he couldn't dare be outed in his political career. Eventually, he came out of the closet. Along the way, he helped Bill Clinton and championed housing bills.
This is a pretty engaging story told by one of Barney Frank's former congressional interns. There is a lot of story crammed in to a lot of panels over the 224 pages of this book, which doesn't leave a lot of room for art, but I did enjoy this story told in this way.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Henry Holt & Company and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Barney Frank started his political career working in Boston for a mayor. Throughout his career, he fought for those without a voice, including the gay community. As a closeted gay man, he couldn't dare be outed in his political career. Eventually, he came out of the closet. Along the way, he helped Bill Clinton and championed housing bills.
This is a pretty engaging story told by one of Barney Frank's former congressional interns. There is a lot of story crammed in to a lot of panels over the 224 pages of this book, which doesn't leave a lot of room for art, but I did enjoy this story told in this way.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Henry Holt & Company and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
dame_samara's review
4.0
This is the book that never ends, it just goes on and on and on some more. Something with the formatting of this book mean that it said it was 42 parts, not disclosing that it was 224 pages so you never really knew how far you had gone. It was like it's own weird level of hell.
This was incredibly informative, and I appreciate continuing to be able to learn about the members of the LGBT community that have paved the way to make our lives more openly.
While it felt unending the end was worth it, it was a happily ever after that gave me chills and honestly is the type of thing you only expect in books. But it was enjoyable none the less.
This was incredibly informative, and I appreciate continuing to be able to learn about the members of the LGBT community that have paved the way to make our lives more openly.
While it felt unending the end was worth it, it was a happily ever after that gave me chills and honestly is the type of thing you only expect in books. But it was enjoyable none the less.
finnsnowbevi's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
3.5
mohawkm's review
4.25
This book was such an in depth view of one political figure and quite kind at explaining his coming out story. However, reading it the same week as the Silicon Valley Bank meltdown caused it to age rapidly, Barney Frank's defense of SVB and crypto generally to NPR left me wondering whether his values have shifted more recently. Still, it's great to use a medium like graphic novels to show the usually dry work of turning politics into measurable improvements for citizens.
mscalls's review
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Homophobia
somesuchbooks's review
5.0
This graphic biography by Eric Orner is fantastic! It not only paints a compelling, comprehensive portrait of its subject, former Congressman Barney Frank, but it provides a wonderful overview of political movements during the decades of Frank's time holding his various offices. Although you don't need to be of a liberal bent to enjoy this work, it definitely doesn't hurt, as Frank was/is a champion of underdog causes.
While I certainly wouldn't call Orner's artwork beautiful, that's clearly not what he's striving for. The art, not simplistic, but not super-realistic, manages to capture the personalities involved (and we've seen SO many of these folks SO many times on television and in print over the years), I think it must be the little, almost caricature-like details that he adds to each person. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the color-washed backgrounds; they are moody and perfect.
Highly recommend.
While I certainly wouldn't call Orner's artwork beautiful, that's clearly not what he's striving for. The art, not simplistic, but not super-realistic, manages to capture the personalities involved (and we've seen SO many of these folks SO many times on television and in print over the years), I think it must be the little, almost caricature-like details that he adds to each person. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the color-washed backgrounds; they are moody and perfect.
Highly recommend.