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bibliobrandie's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the illustrations, it was a great way to tell this story. I didn't know much about Buster Keaton before reading this book and think it's a good introduction to his life and vaudeville.
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Subtitle: My Summers With Buster Keaton
This graphic novel explores the early 20th century era of Vaudeville, and one particular summer resort that catered to many of the era’s Vaudeville stars – including the Keaton family and their talented son, Buster.
It’s 1908 and Henry Harrison, whose father owns the local hardware store, is excited to learn that a troupe of vaudevillians will be taking over a resort near Muskegon, Michigan. Young Henry makes his way there to see the elephant and zebra and tightrope walker! And he meets a couple of teens who join him for a summer of baseball games and swimming in the lake. One of these is Buster Keaton, and Henry begins to dream of following in his footsteps.
What a great way to introduce young readers to a by-gone era. Phelan’s illustrations are marvelously detailed. I love one set of panels that show the day slowly progressing through sunset over the lake and followed by a night sky illuminated by fireworks. And I like how he adroitly shows the passage of time with just a few panels moving from the end of summer through fall, winter and spring and then to the next summer’s adventures when the vaudevillians return.
While the characters of Harry, Sally and the other residents of Muskegon are fictional, there really was an Actor’s Colony at Bluffton on Muskegon Lake from 1908 to 1938. It was founded by Jim Keaton as a place where vaudevillians could gather and rest in their off-season.
This graphic novel explores the early 20th century era of Vaudeville, and one particular summer resort that catered to many of the era’s Vaudeville stars – including the Keaton family and their talented son, Buster.
It’s 1908 and Henry Harrison, whose father owns the local hardware store, is excited to learn that a troupe of vaudevillians will be taking over a resort near Muskegon, Michigan. Young Henry makes his way there to see the elephant and zebra and tightrope walker! And he meets a couple of teens who join him for a summer of baseball games and swimming in the lake. One of these is Buster Keaton, and Henry begins to dream of following in his footsteps.
What a great way to introduce young readers to a by-gone era. Phelan’s illustrations are marvelously detailed. I love one set of panels that show the day slowly progressing through sunset over the lake and followed by a night sky illuminated by fireworks. And I like how he adroitly shows the passage of time with just a few panels moving from the end of summer through fall, winter and spring and then to the next summer’s adventures when the vaudevillians return.
While the characters of Harry, Sally and the other residents of Muskegon are fictional, there really was an Actor’s Colony at Bluffton on Muskegon Lake from 1908 to 1938. It was founded by Jim Keaton as a place where vaudevillians could gather and rest in their off-season.
geekwayne's review against another edition
4.0
Bluffton is the story of Henry, a young boy, growing up near Bluffton, Minnesota during the early years of the 20th Century. Every year a group of Vaudeville performers would spend the summer there. Henry befriends the children of the performers, including a young Buster Keaton.
Buster's father, Joe, is hounded for including his children in his act, and it's a constant sore point. Buster is a quiet, reflective child who just wants to play baseball. Henry is enamored with the showbiz life and yearns for his summers with the vaudeville folk. The time between seasons is shown in a series of quick panels.
The story is told mainly with pictures, and not much dialogue. It's a fictional story, except that Joe Keaton did bring vaudeville folks to Bluffton every summer. Also, Buster did love to play baseball, and even played while making his movies. It's a nice coming of age story and the watercolor illustrations work well. My review copy came with black and white illustrations, and I think I may have preferred that for this story.
Buster's father, Joe, is hounded for including his children in his act, and it's a constant sore point. Buster is a quiet, reflective child who just wants to play baseball. Henry is enamored with the showbiz life and yearns for his summers with the vaudeville folk. The time between seasons is shown in a series of quick panels.
The story is told mainly with pictures, and not much dialogue. It's a fictional story, except that Joe Keaton did bring vaudeville folks to Bluffton every summer. Also, Buster did love to play baseball, and even played while making his movies. It's a nice coming of age story and the watercolor illustrations work well. My review copy came with black and white illustrations, and I think I may have preferred that for this story.
thisismeandme's review against another edition
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition
I'm not a big fan of graphic novels but this is quite charming. I read it because the author was coming to the bookstore and because it takes place in MI. Using a fictional boy, the author tells the story of the real Buster Keaton and his summers spent in Muskegon, MI. The youngster who reads this book will learn about Vaudeville, Buster Keaton, a former era and how to tell a good story with pictures and words.
alboyer6's review against another edition
4.0
Bluffton is a Muskegon neighborhood nestled between Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake, that at one point in its history held an artists' colony for Vaudevillians to spend their summers. That included the Keatons. Buster Keaton was just a boy but one full of mischief and baseball. This GN told from the perspective of the fictional boy Henry and tells of the summer days he spends with Buster playing ball and pranks all around Bluffton. The story touches on concerns over Buster working/child labor, his father's alcohol use, and his lack of any formal education. A tale well told and for me, a great local connection.
xsleepyshadows's review against another edition
4.0
I am a sucker for is a coming of age summer time stories, so I naturally immediately grew attached to this book. There is something about summer that is so magic and this book captures it really well. This is about a young boy romanticizing the vaudeville and wanting the lifestyle. He easily makes friends with their kids when they come to relax each summer. This is a pretty powerful summer story with a very beautiful watercolor art style. I was also surprised that this is a historical fiction of Buster Keaton who was an early film star. ~Ashley
If you like Matt Phelan you may enjoy Brian Selznick. Especially if you love illustrated historical fiction!
If you like Matt Phelan you may enjoy Brian Selznick. Especially if you love illustrated historical fiction!
kristenremenar's review against another edition
5.0
This historical fiction graphic novel makes me long for summer. Henry thinks his summer in early 1900's Muskegon will be boring until Buster Keaton and his vaudevillians come to town. Bravo, Matt Phelan, for creating such a beautiful book about Michigan.
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a really quick read and I didn't realize it was about Buster Keaton until the last page. Perhaps if I had, I would have appreciated it more- which makes me wonder how many kids will understand it as more than just a sweet story.
Also, what I enjoyed most was a feeling of nostalgia for summer days of years past spent entertaining yourself with friends and no adult supervision. I'm not sure kids have that experience anymore.
Also, what I enjoyed most was a feeling of nostalgia for summer days of years past spent entertaining yourself with friends and no adult supervision. I'm not sure kids have that experience anymore.
deemazztan's review against another edition
3.0
This book made me want to know more about Buster Keaton's childhood and to watch his movies. Problem was that the book left me wanting so much more than it gave me.