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ramossnr's review
4.0
I liked how the author explored physical and mental decline in this graphic novel. I felt the segments with her grandfather's book could have been better integrated into the narrative.
lattelibrarian's review
5.0
There are very few books that I read and say, "Wow, this is my life." This is one of them. Lucy Knisley accompanies her grandparents on a cruise out of a sense of family values and duty. They're getting older, more forgetful, and less mobile. And is Lucy doing this in order to get closer to her elders before their inevitable death, or is it something more selfish? And why did she agree to do this alone? After all, taking care of two people who used to be able to take care of themselves is a lot of work.
With her usual style and a beautiful vacation-y color palette, Knisley does a fantastic job of conveying the week she spent at sea. Alternating between her daily experiences and excerpts from her grandfather's memoir, she creates a juxtaposition between the dynamic, youthful folks her grands were and the slow, forgetful folks they are now. Filled with anxiety and stress about keeping everyone entertained--is she doing a good job? Are they having a good time? Or are they being too polite to say anything?--she struggles to find a balance between finding time to do things for herself and for her grandparents. As both granddaughter and caretaker for the time being, she views hospital workers and professional caretakers with a higher regard by the end of her time.
Also interspersed are nuggets of family drama, from sons and daughters who are less active in their parents' lives, to those who would like to be but live too far away to be able to do anything monumental. And besides, Lucy isn't the only grandchild, but why is it only she that seems to regard her grands with a high opinion and as a source of memories and family history?
Overall, this is a beautiful graphic memoir that delves into the complicate emotions that come from caring for and loving your grandparents as they struggle to remember and to remain mobile, and the difficulties of caring for them hundreds of miles away from land and family. She discusses this topic with great care, curiosity, and a great deal of tenderness. What a wonderful memoir.
Review cross-listed here!
With her usual style and a beautiful vacation-y color palette, Knisley does a fantastic job of conveying the week she spent at sea. Alternating between her daily experiences and excerpts from her grandfather's memoir, she creates a juxtaposition between the dynamic, youthful folks her grands were and the slow, forgetful folks they are now. Filled with anxiety and stress about keeping everyone entertained--is she doing a good job? Are they having a good time? Or are they being too polite to say anything?--she struggles to find a balance between finding time to do things for herself and for her grandparents. As both granddaughter and caretaker for the time being, she views hospital workers and professional caretakers with a higher regard by the end of her time.
Also interspersed are nuggets of family drama, from sons and daughters who are less active in their parents' lives, to those who would like to be but live too far away to be able to do anything monumental. And besides, Lucy isn't the only grandchild, but why is it only she that seems to regard her grands with a high opinion and as a source of memories and family history?
Overall, this is a beautiful graphic memoir that delves into the complicate emotions that come from caring for and loving your grandparents as they struggle to remember and to remain mobile, and the difficulties of caring for them hundreds of miles away from land and family. She discusses this topic with great care, curiosity, and a great deal of tenderness. What a wonderful memoir.
Review cross-listed here!
in_and_out_of_the_stash's review
4.0
The drawings are very good.
Couldn't help being annoyed with the home for letting them sign up for the cruise, with the family for not making the trip easier, with all those people who would not help.
Couldn't help being annoyed with the home for letting them sign up for the cruise, with the family for not making the trip easier, with all those people who would not help.
nakedsushi's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
A moving, but quick read. I love all of Knisley’s graphic novels because of how she interleaves awkward humor and touching moments. This one is no different.
mnstucki's review
4.0
Such a sweet story about accompanying her grandparents on a cruise! She included excerpts from the memoir her grandfather wrote several years before about serving in WWII, which was a lovely touch.