Monday, March 19, 2012

Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth, by Chris Ware

Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth, by Chris Ware, 380 pages

If you are of the opinion that graphic novels don't take any time to read or don't require much work or thought, I refer you to Exhibit A, Jimmy Corrigan. This book was amazing- a work of graphic art and graphic storytelling that you don't see very often.  The story doesn't sound like much- Jimmy Corrigan is a middle-aged, kinda wimpy guy, who finds himself meeting his father for the first time.  The story of Jimmy is juxtaposed with some storylines from early 20th-century Chicago, which turn out to be those of Jimmy's ancestors.   The panels are laid out radically and the subject matter is simple, but raw and identifiable.  It took some time getting through this work, but it was an excellent read.

I kind of wish I wasn't reading a library copy, because the book jacket unfolds into other storylines and there are some pages for cutting out.  I don't really see this appealing to teens, for the record.

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