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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It is a long time since I have felt so compelled to write a review singing the praises of something that I have only just discovered but this is such a case.
If the comic medium is generally looked down upon, then within that the format of the `comic-strip' itself must be the most despised. Brown takes that unloved sub-genre and makes something transcendent out of it, a thing of real wonder.
Taking its cue from `rites of passage' it is a (semi) biographical account of his adolescence and particularly focussing on first experiences of love. A total gem, it evokes all of those feelings - of days being almost endless, of battles with school enemies, and of the mysteriously `unlove'-like nature of early love(s.)
I really cannot praise it enough - the style is very simple, and never deviates from true-strip format although he allows himself a broad approach in terms of actual display - some pages literally have only one small panel, but the choices made that way are perfect.
It seems like a big book, but in reality you could read it on one sitting.
I have recommended it to several friends - people who don't usually read graphics, just because the message transcends the medium. It has a ring of truth to it, and that's what all really great creative work has I think.
If you are a fan of contemporary story/non-superhero graphics, buy this immediately!
If the comic medium is generally looked down upon, then within that the format of the `comic-strip' itself must be the most despised. Brown takes that unloved sub-genre and makes something transcendent out of it, a thing of real wonder.
Taking its cue from `rites of passage' it is a (semi) biographical account of his adolescence and particularly focussing on first experiences of love. A total gem, it evokes all of those feelings - of days being almost endless, of battles with school enemies, and of the mysteriously `unlove'-like nature of early love(s.)
I really cannot praise it enough - the style is very simple, and never deviates from true-strip format although he allows himself a broad approach in terms of actual display - some pages literally have only one small panel, but the choices made that way are perfect.
It seems like a big book, but in reality you could read it on one sitting.
I have recommended it to several friends - people who don't usually read graphics, just because the message transcends the medium. It has a ring of truth to it, and that's what all really great creative work has I think.
If you are a fan of contemporary story/non-superhero graphics, buy this immediately!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
8 reviews
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
more than i was expecting
25 Feb 2005
Format:Paperback
I love reading graphic novels, especially from the publishing company of I Never Liked You (Drawn & Quarterly). I've read maybe a dozen or so that they've put out. But for some reason, this one surprised me.
It might be because many of the things that occur in the story I can relate to, or they resemble what I was like in high school. Though, as most cartoonists are outcasts and that is often shown in their work, this doesn't make a graphic novel that special. Other aspects of the book...his mother, how he dealt with other people, etc....were what really struck me as sad. Yes I've read lots of sad stories in comics, but this one just seem to ring a little truer or deeper. It may be his minimalist approach; this lets you interpret many actions for yourself in that there is not often any definite reason or meaning behind the things that happen. Nor do you really know what's always going on in the speaker's head. These things, for me, made the book much more personal, because I was interpreting the events from my point of view, not necessarily seeing exactly how the speaker was interpreting them.
It might be because many of the things that occur in the story I can relate to, or they resemble what I was like in high school. Though, as most cartoonists are outcasts and that is often shown in their work, this doesn't make a graphic novel that special. Other aspects of the book...his mother, how he dealt with other people, etc....were what really struck me as sad. Yes I've read lots of sad stories in comics, but this one just seem to ring a little truer or deeper. It may be his minimalist approach; this lets you interpret many actions for yourself in that there is not often any definite reason or meaning behind the things that happen. Nor do you really know what's always going on in the speaker's head. These things, for me, made the book much more personal, because I was interpreting the events from my point of view, not necessarily seeing exactly how the speaker was interpreting them.
Perhaps a little too successful at its mission
16 Nov 2010
Format:Paperback
Chester Brown depicts his adolescent years with a distinct sadness and criticism. In many ways, this is a young adult's depiction of adolescence, not capturing adolescence so much as that point where you grow up enough to first realize that everyone you've ever blamed for your problems is mostly innocent and that you're the jerk. (granted some people never get to this state. THey are called sociopaths) Later on, you gain some more perspective and feel some affection for your younger nasty self. This is not that book. Chester Brown wrote this book in a state of hatred for his teenage self. You can see it in every drawing of himself as a sallow skinny jerk. You see it in his way of treating Carrie and Sky. Even the things that might be admirable like his refusal to swear are explained away.
THe Chester Brown of the book is caught between two female friends - Carrie and Sky - with Connie providing a conscience that isn't really adhered to. Carrie loves him and she's depicted as a beautiful romantic creature whose only fault is bad taste. Sky is the friend that he eats with and its obvious early on that his interest in her is her breasts. He says he loves her but it comes so fast that you know that he's simply abusing the word. As an undercurrent, his mother is slowly losing her mind and as she deteriorates, the narrative keeps her off camera as she becomes less prominent in Chester's life.
The fact of the matter is that this is a fine book about depicting a teenager who keeps his messed up emotions in check. However, it's not easy to stay so close to a repressed individual who doesn't allow himself to feel anything but the most superficial emotions.
THe Chester Brown of the book is caught between two female friends - Carrie and Sky - with Connie providing a conscience that isn't really adhered to. Carrie loves him and she's depicted as a beautiful romantic creature whose only fault is bad taste. Sky is the friend that he eats with and its obvious early on that his interest in her is her breasts. He says he loves her but it comes so fast that you know that he's simply abusing the word. As an undercurrent, his mother is slowly losing her mind and as she deteriorates, the narrative keeps her off camera as she becomes less prominent in Chester's life.
The fact of the matter is that this is a fine book about depicting a teenager who keeps his messed up emotions in check. However, it's not easy to stay so close to a repressed individual who doesn't allow himself to feel anything but the most superficial emotions.
A cartoon journal of real life.
27 Sep 2010
Format:Paperback
I Never Liked You is simply a recounting of various poignant moments in author Chester Brown's adolescence. I really enjoy this sort of visual narrative and found the book to be quite well done. I sat down and read the whole thing in about an hour.
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