memoir

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Lenni Reviews: “Brittle Joints” by Maria Sweeney

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

As a child, Maria Sweeney was diagnosed with Bruck Syndrome. This memoir reflects on growing up with it.

A good chunk of this novel deals with trying to get any relief in a system that isn’t very helpful or empathetic. These stories are so important, and it’s imperative for the people with conditions like this to tell their stories themselves. Since this is a graphic novel, it can show things a regular biography could struggle to convey, since the use of color can augment the author’s words in a graphic novel. I love opening my mind up to more experiences and understanding things I’d never thought about before. Highly recommended. 4.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Until I Meet My Husband” by Ryousuke Nanasaki, Yoshi Tsukizuki & Amber Tamosaitis

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

This is the graphic novel adaptation of the memoir by LGBTQ activist Ryousuke Nanasaki.

I think this is an important book, especially these days, and I’m glad it has a happy ending. It is mildly suggestive as it is an honest retelling about how Nanasaki dealt with his sexuality. It’s emotional but hopeful that things will get better. The art style is perfect for the moody parts and the happy parts. It’s also important for American audiences. It’s so easy to be in a bubble and forget there are intricacies in other places that give unique experiences to LGBTQ+ people outside the US, legally and interpersonally. It feels like a highlight reel, but it’s trying to fit a 200+ page memoir into a 200+ page manga. You’re gonna have to trim some stuff. I do want to read the original book now. 4.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Spent: A Comic Novel” by Alison Bechdel

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is suggested for mature readers. 

While called a novel in the title, this memoir details Alison living with her partner on their pygmy goat sanctuary as she tries to come up with and pitch her next book.

I love how self-reflective this is and not because it makes me feel less crazy for doing the same thing: looking at the world and wanting to do something to solve the world’s problems but having no idea where to start. It feels trippy since I’m so much younger than her. I do love seeing her thoughts on watching the show based on her book: Death and Taxidermy and grappling with how while it’s based on her work, it’s someone else’s vision now. There’s also an interesting storyline about her sister writing her own memoir to debunk Alison’s. It all brings out the feeling of being overwhelmed with everything going on, wanting to fix all of it, realizing we can’t, but we can still do something. Even if it’s small. 5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Murder Next Door: A Graphic Memoir” by Hugh D’Andrade

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

At 10 years old, Hugh came home from school to see his friends crying outside their home because they’d discovered the body of their murdered mother. As an adult, he still struggles with the memories and fear.

This memoir is mainly about how trauma can affect someone in the long term. It’s very honest and not at all subtle which I think is needed; especially since this is about a man dealing with childhood trauma. The best part of this? He’s actually dealing with it. He’s in therapy, looking back, analyzing, talking, considering, and really doing his best to reckon with what happened to him as a child and how it shaped the man he’s become. Speaking as a person who will go as far as to think my feelings are a burden even to my therapist, this is refreshingly unflinching. I like this. It’s insightful and I appreciate it. 4.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Queen of Snails: A Graphic Memoir” by Maureen Burdock

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review. Trigger warning for child abuse.

After being forced to move from Germany to the American Midwest, Maureen feels alone with a hyper religious mother and distant grandmother. This graphic novel is the author looking back on her traumatic childhood.

I love the art; the subdued colors with mostly black and white drawings make for a soothing look despite the somber subject matter. Maureen’s past and how it influenced her upbringing is complicated and sad but it is beautifully expressed in this book. Everything about it radiates of someone trying to deal with the weight of those who came before her and the crap she had to deal with on your own. It can be hard to read but I found it was worth it. 4.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Gay Giant” by Gabriel Ebensperger

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is suggested for mature readers.

This is Gabriel Ebensperger’s autobiographical account of being gay as a kid growing up in Chile. This is short and sweet, relying on some unique art to convey some complex adolescent feelings. Given it’s length it doesn’t quite rise to feeling complete. It’s a little rushed but it feels odd to say “Excuse me, sir, your unique feelings and life experiences aren’t paced well.” These are his stories that he’s sharing with is and he can share them however he wants. It does a great job of expressing the confusion, fear, and conflict of coming to terms with your identity. I think an older teenager or young adult would appreciate this but there is some nudity. Nothing overly explicit. 3.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Kusama: The Graphic Novel” by Elisa Macellari

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is recommended for mature readers.

This graphic memoir of Yayoi Kusama, an artist who used painting to deal with and express her mental issues. It’s a breezy book, giving broad information at a fast pace. It’s a beautiful introduction to Kusama’s life and art. A longer book would have dived deeper but you understand who she is and why she loves art so much.

Not knowing much about Kusama myself, I felt satisfied by what I learned about her from this book. You can tell a lot of love went into the art and even if you aren’t into is, its worth checking out. 3.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Come Home, Indio” by Jim Terry

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review

This graphic novel is the memoir of Native American Jim Terry, as he grows through his childhood with alcoholic parents, growing up to struggle with alcoholism himself, his identity in the Native American community, and losing his parents.

Despite it being pretty depressing, this is a great memoir with amazing art that sets the mood well. It’s unflinchingly honest and raw, leaving you with a hopeful note at the end. If you’re into graphic memoirs, this is a unique story. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Twilight Man: Rod Serling and the Birth of Television” by Koren Shadmi

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This graphic novel details Rod Serling’s life from his time in war through his writing career before and after The Twilight Zone.

I think this was a very good biography. It highlights enough important parts of his life to get a firm grasp of the overall picture without getting bogged down in boring details, the art is perfect for this subject, and it also comes along with a great framing device. It was cool to see how much Serling put into the show; even some episodes flat out emulating his own issues. I think Mr. Serling himself would be proud. I do have to wonder how much of this is accurate but one never does know that for sure. 4.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Commute: An Illustrated Memoir of Female Shame” by Erin Williams

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*This book is recommended for mature readers.

This graphic memoir follows Erin Williams, a recovering alcoholic and three-time sexual assault victim, through her daily routine and the thoughts and memories that come to the surface.

I can respect this book as a blow by blow of one woman’s thoughts during her day because I, and likely others, look at strangers, makeup stories and/or get reminded of events in my past. I can even relate to the random biological thoughts; just all the stuff that pops into your head. It’s creatively done. But this is such a personal and visceral experience that I feel bad for judging it and have difficulty empathizing with it. It seems wrong to critique something so personal. The content made me uncomfortable and it should, to be honest. I can see this being triggering for sexual assault victims and the art can be a little wonky in some places. My brain had to take a minute to process what the image was trying to convey. 3.7 out of 5.

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