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a2lulu's review against another edition
5.0
I was “riding a bummer” as Marlys would say, and needed some Marlys magic. She delivered. Nothing else I’ve ever read takes me back to childhood the way this does. Things flow out from the recesses of my memory. I’d forgotten about some of the heavier, poignant strips in the mix. But so much joy and beauty, too. And hilarity and wackiness. True to life.
Since this is a retrospective compilation, it was also interesting to see how Marlys developed - she started out as kind of a jerk and then transformed into the Marlys we know and love.
Since this is a retrospective compilation, it was also interesting to see how Marlys developed - she started out as kind of a jerk and then transformed into the Marlys we know and love.
lindsayb's review
5.0
Brilliant. I forgot how ridiculous and hilarious and gut-wrenching childhood was. Lynda Barry totally nails it. She is the master of the universe.
mattait's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful collection of strips that captures childhood in a way that feels uncannily accurate - so much so that I found myself remembering things from my own childhood that I'd long forgotten.
lindacbugg's review against another edition
5.0
I even have a signed copy-one of my most prized possessions(even though I spilled coffee on it) :(
bluenicorn's review against another edition
5.0
I have never before identified so much with a character. Marlys is a bit of a nerd, a bit of a weirdo, and at times she's that girl that you might call a bit of a loser-- but with such a big heart. I think one of the strips that struck me the hardest was one where she was the only girl in class not invited to the popular girl's party; when Arna got sick, she took her invitation. But the next panel shows her crying on the bed with Arna saying that the girl wouldn't even take her gift, and Arna telling her that she isn't even that cool. Ugh- I teared up. Big ball of memories attached to that strip, I tell you.
Even though these seem like little innocent captures of childhood memories, most of them are so much deeper. I've never read someone who captures childhood so well- sometimes it's fun, and you can picture the pain of walking on hot asphalt and the relief of the sprinklers; but you also remember the pain of childhood taunts, the kid who you make fun of so that it's not you being made fun of; the indifference of adults. It's all there. So good!
Even though these seem like little innocent captures of childhood memories, most of them are so much deeper. I've never read someone who captures childhood so well- sometimes it's fun, and you can picture the pain of walking on hot asphalt and the relief of the sprinklers; but you also remember the pain of childhood taunts, the kid who you make fun of so that it's not you being made fun of; the indifference of adults. It's all there. So good!
bethnellvaccaro's review
5.0
Marlys is so wonderful! I can't quite articulate why these strips are so good, but Linda Barry taps into childhood in a way that caused past feelings and memories to flood over me.
zoes_human's review against another edition
I think Marlys relies heavily on the shared cultural traits of childhood and family. I grew up a deeply lonely only child in the midst of violence, addiction, filth, chaos, and instability. I lack the fundamental life experience to understand this. I'm DNFing it. It's simply too alien for me to enjoy. I cannot relate to this at all.
Unless you grew up like me, you might try it. It might make sense to you because I strongly get the vibe that it reflects exactly how American children are in normal circumstances.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via a Goodreads giveaway. Many thanks to the author and publishing team for this opportunity.
Unless you grew up like me, you might try it. It might make sense to you because I strongly get the vibe that it reflects exactly how American children are in normal circumstances.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via a Goodreads giveaway. Many thanks to the author and publishing team for this opportunity.
chwaters's review against another edition
4.0
I'm pretty sure Lynda Barry can do no wrong. This collection of comics from the late '80s-early '00s features the inimitable Marlys and assorted family members. Some of comics are outright hilarious. Others are less funny and more thoughtful, gently poking fun at both the mundane and the absurd in equal measure. Some are gut-wrenchingly sad. Such is the skill of this comics master.
This isn't the sort of book that one reads straight through; comics collections tend to get tedious when they're read like a graphic novel. Rather, it's ideal to read over time (much the way the original comics were published. Marlys may seem impatient, but she'll wait, I promise.
This isn't the sort of book that one reads straight through; comics collections tend to get tedious when they're read like a graphic novel. Rather, it's ideal to read over time (much the way the original comics were published. Marlys may seem impatient, but she'll wait, I promise.