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loz_reads11's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Lesbian coming of age comic memoir, so beautiful and filled with reflection and intertextuality. Moments of discomfort, fear, becoming, and finding the meaning in the difficulties of life.
mel_das's review against another edition
5.0
Unexpectedly eloquent and beautifully told tragic story of the impact of a father and all the struggles of growing up through secrets of trauma
veronicaarose's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Pedophilia
readingwmiles's review against another edition
5.0
this was fantastic alison bechdel is 100% a new favorite of mine!!
bug_lightyear's review against another edition
Library borrowing lapsed, too much text and difficult to read, might pick it up when I have more brain function
happylilkt's review against another edition
1.0
Note: Contains graphic sexual content
I can see why this is a highly lauded book, but I did not enjoy this book and even would be happy to unread it (if that were possible). Here is what did NOT work for me:
1) I knew that "fun home" was an ironic title, but....this was beyond depressing. I think it's the mono-expressive characters and the lack of color. It was Too Much. I would like to also point out that it is a tragicomic not a tragicomedy. Like comic as in a graphic novel rather than comedic. Unfortunate, that. I like my tragedy seasoned with a little humor (or color will sometimes do).
2) The navel-gazing and self-consciousness became oppressive.
3) I don't like explicit sex scenes in literature and especially not in graphic novels. This was very focused on sex.
4) I really disliked her dad, who this was primarily about (perhaps more than the author, even?). I found her mom interesting, but I realize it didn't fit the Daedalus / Icarus arc. I am not a James Joyce fan and so while I like literary references those weren't a great fit for me. In fact, I mostly hated her dad's literary tastes (although I do like Fitzgerald a bit and definitely had a Salinger phase in my teens / 20s—but who didn't?).
I tried coming up with a list of what I liked, but nothing I could think of was very strong / coherent so instead you will have to find other reviews to celebrate this Not-So-Fun-Home, because I can't. I need to go cry now.
p.s. if you like tortured books with no sense of humor like this one try [b:Normal People|41057294|Normal People|Sally Rooney|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1571423190l/41057294._SY75_.jpg|59141209]. I think they might be cousins.
I can see why this is a highly lauded book, but I did not enjoy this book and even would be happy to unread it (if that were possible). Here is what did NOT work for me:
1) I knew that "fun home" was an ironic title, but....this was beyond depressing. I think it's the mono-expressive characters and the lack of color. It was Too Much. I would like to also point out that it is a tragicomic not a tragicomedy. Like comic as in a graphic novel rather than comedic. Unfortunate, that. I like my tragedy seasoned with a little humor (or color will sometimes do).
2) The navel-gazing and self-consciousness became oppressive.
3) I don't like explicit sex scenes in literature and especially not in graphic novels. This was very focused on sex.
4) I really disliked her dad, who this was primarily about (perhaps more than the author, even?). I found her mom interesting, but I realize it didn't fit the Daedalus / Icarus arc. I am not a James Joyce fan and so while I like literary references those weren't a great fit for me. In fact, I mostly hated her dad's literary tastes (although I do like Fitzgerald a bit and definitely had a Salinger phase in my teens / 20s—but who didn't?).
I tried coming up with a list of what I liked, but nothing I could think of was very strong / coherent so instead you will have to find other reviews to celebrate this Not-So-Fun-Home, because I can't. I need to go cry now.
p.s. if you like tortured books with no sense of humor like this one try [b:Normal People|41057294|Normal People|Sally Rooney|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1571423190l/41057294._SY75_.jpg|59141209]. I think they might be cousins.
harvestreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0