Posy Simmonds

Not really meant to be read in one sitting. Mostly B&W comic strips following the lives of various family members. Long book, depicting concerns of everyday people in mostly 1980s Britain. Sprinkled with dark humour such as beach dogs defecating on children's sandcastles, toddlers playing hide and seek in a discarded fridge. AIDS, famine, working mothers, single father's, sexism, racism, Neighbourhood Watch, Acid rain, hole in the ozone layer, male chauvinism, househusbands, Videos (Video Players), Sony Walkman, Poll tax, divorce, mortgages, Nike, Reebok, post-dated cheques, Political correctness, Traffic jams, litter, Unemployment, etc.… (more)

Pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this story Great plot, great colour illustrations, and great characters. I read somewhere that Posy Simmonds is the modern Hogarth, and I wholeheartedly agree that this book is just that. From scenes of rough-sleepers, MacDonald restaurants, public transport, parks, Christmas shoppers, etc. This book is thoroughly entertaining, and tells a very modern tale of fraud, mobile harassment, the modern art scene, broken families, loneliness, and a murder. All creates a vivid snapshot of modern life, with attitudes of what is socially acceptable and unacceptable in this very British story.… (more)

You Want It Darke(r)
Review of the Jonathan Cape hardcover edition (2018)

I had read and enjoyed Posy Simmonds previous graphic novels Gemma Bovery (1999) and Tamara Drewe (2007) in my pre-Goodreads days, but have only recently caught up with her most recent work. Cassandra Darke is a totally original story as opposed to the earlier works which were modern day adaptations based on the novels Madame Bovary and Far From the Madding Crowd.

Prosperous art dealer Cassandra Darke is discovered to have been defrauding her clients by selling unauthorized copies. The scandal sidetracks her career and her relationship with her family until her stepsister's daughter Nicky becomes her basement tenant. Nicky gets involved with some dubious types and helps a boyfriend to hide some incriminating evidence which turns out to tie into an abduction and murder. The story becomes a redemption journey for the curmudgeonly Cassandra who is constantly entertaining with her cantankerous observations and actions. The intricate artwork and the engaging story (which is often told in extended prose panels and not limited to speech balloons) made this both an intriguing and suspenseful read.

I read Cassandra Darke thanks to my GR friend JimZ's recent 4 star review and his encouragement for me to bump it up my TBR list. Thanks again to Jim!

Trivia and Link
Yes, I couldn't resist riffing on Leonard Cohen's You Want It Darker for my lede headline.… (more)