First off, I feel I must thank you for posting a list that doesn't make me want to cry a little. Now that that's out of the way...
There's a few I'm not familiar with on here, which I like to see even though I can't comment on them at all. Other than that, it has personality and some really great picks. As BYCers will know, I'm always especially thrilled to see McCullers on a good list (alternatively, seeing her on a bad list, we're back to that crying bit).
I'm tempted to say yes, but that is boring, because you can't discuss a yes. So, instead, let's talk about Alison Bechdel. Have you read her latest, Fun Home? If so, what'd you think (I like to ask, because my feelings were mixed)? And, furthermore, what's your general opinion of the spate of quirky, autobiographical indie comics of late (is biggest reason why feelings mixed)?
See? I've only read a smattering of Dykes to Watch Out For but read Fun Home on a recommendation from the person I'm seeing. And I really enjoyed Fun Home.
I cannot comment on its suitability for the form because I'm no comic aficionado at all, but I thought the story was well-told. I like the way the recollections of her father spiral back to a central memory of coming out, and their conversation in the car (which I thought was amazingly done). Plus I really enjoyed how the messages (and their meaning) between Alison and her father were encoded in literature. I mean, it's nothing earth-shatteringly new by any stretch, but I found it a lot more satisfying than any of the non-comic style memoirs I've read over the past several years.
As far as the form goes, I would have to say it's half-suited. Sometimes it felt like the illustration was necessary and added value to the story, but overall, too much narration for my tastes. I'm of the mind that if the illustrations don't say as much or more than the little rectangular boxes, the author should have just gone with prose (even illustrated prose I would gladly take over a graphic novel with too much narration).
I just finished reading Lethem's 10-issue revamp of Omega: The Unknown a couple nights ago, and I'm reminded of it now. Issue 10 is told completely by Farel Dalrymple's pencils, and it's so wonderfully effective. It's like the anti-Fun Home.
i still maintain FUNHOME (despite being a shitty comic) is better than dykes to watch out for (and what i mean by a shitty comic is that it doesn't actually engage the form of comix but i LOVE the story)
if i'm flubbing the title forgive me i ended up with lots of whiskey for a very small amount of money at the bar tonight
i agree. i also kinda just hate the word "dyke" being used by most dykes. it's so "pow pow, radical activist IN YO FACE!", you know? but all that said, props to the op and all.
i dunno. maybe it's karma-related nervousness or something...i feel like if i reject too many people from ratings communities i'll get REJECTED from grad school.
Oh, I know! My life is so much better since I stopped watching TV and started reading political Greek comedies.
Last year when I studied commedia dell'arte I learned that the stock scenarios are presumed to have originated in Plautus's plays, who (again, presumably) inspired Aristophanes... Cue me reading all I could find of his work, and loving it.
I'm planning on reading some Molière, next - it seems a natural progression. Do you have any opinions on his plays?
Not that you asked me, but I would venture that, if you like Aristophanes, you'd like Moliere. MAYBE that's because I like both and I am biased, but I don't know. I also think you'd enjoy Racine, who is less political and more societal farce, but there are still elements there.
Oh dear. I've been put off science fiction, because friends have recommended some really atrocious stuff to me... I read Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea series as a child, but I definitely haven't read enough sf to have any top sf books. So the list below is more "sort-of-sf I've read and liked".
Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions - Edwin A. Abbott (read after seeing a bizarre animated version of it in class) Gulliver's Travels - Jonathan Swift (read a long time ago, admittedly) Cat's Crade - Kurt Vonnegut
Big disappointments: Frankenstein - Mary Shelley The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
Would you mind recommending me a couple? Oh, and a friend has been telling me to read Dune - does it deserve its popularity?
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There's a few I'm not familiar with on here, which I like to see even though I can't comment on them at all. Other than that, it has personality and some really great picks. As BYCers will know, I'm always especially thrilled to see McCullers on a good list (alternatively, seeing her on a bad list, we're back to that crying bit).
I'm tempted to say yes, but that is boring, because you can't discuss a yes. So, instead, let's talk about Alison Bechdel. Have you read her latest, Fun Home? If so, what'd you think (I like to ask, because my feelings were mixed)? And, furthermore, what's your general opinion of the spate of quirky, autobiographical indie comics of late (is biggest reason why feelings mixed)?
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I cannot comment on its suitability for the form because I'm no comic aficionado at all, but I thought the story was well-told. I like the way the recollections of her father spiral back to a central memory of coming out, and their conversation in the car (which I thought was amazingly done). Plus I really enjoyed how the messages (and their meaning) between Alison and her father were encoded in literature. I mean, it's nothing earth-shatteringly new by any stretch, but I found it a lot more satisfying than any of the non-comic style memoirs I've read over the past several years.
Reply
I just finished reading Lethem's 10-issue revamp of Omega: The Unknown a couple nights ago, and I'm reminded of it now. Issue 10 is told completely by Farel Dalrymple's pencils, and it's so wonderfully effective. It's like the anti-Fun Home.
Reply
Reply
if i'm flubbing the title forgive me i ended up with lots of whiskey for a very small amount of money at the bar tonight
Reply
i dunno. maybe it's karma-related nervousness or something...i feel like if i reject too many people from ratings communities i'll get REJECTED from grad school.
here's a yes, karma fairies!
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Last year when I studied commedia dell'arte I learned that the stock scenarios are presumed to have originated in Plautus's plays, who (again, presumably) inspired Aristophanes... Cue me reading all I could find of his work, and loving it.
I'm planning on reading some Molière, next - it seems a natural progression. Do you have any opinions on his plays?
Reply
Reply
Reply
Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions - Edwin A. Abbott (read after seeing a bizarre animated version of it in class)
Gulliver's Travels - Jonathan Swift (read a long time ago, admittedly)
Cat's Crade - Kurt Vonnegut
Big disappointments:
Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
Would you mind recommending me a couple? Oh, and a friend has been telling me to read Dune - does it deserve its popularity?
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interpret as you wish
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