F. C. Ware

Thoroughly depressing, but quite brilliant graphic novel, produced as a collection of small books, newspapers, folded strips of paper, etc. There are no instructions on how to read all of this (I did it from small to large). A slices of life story with a triple pun on the title; the building itself is a character. Includes the story of Branford bee, the greatest bee in the world, and an edition of the Bee times with "God save the queen" in the header. I think the only other graphic novels I show more had read were Art Spiegleman's Maus I and II, but now I am intrigued... show less

This first book from Chicago author Chris Ware is a pleasantly-decorated view at a lonely and emotionally-impaired "everyman" (Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth), who is provided, at age 36, the opportunity to meet his father for the first time. An improvisatory romance which gingerly deports itself between 1890's Chicago and 1980's small town Michigan, the reader is helped along by thousands of colored illustrations and diagrams, which, when read rapidly in sequence, provide a show more convincing illusion of life and movement. The bulk of the work is supported by fold-out instructions, an index, paper cut-outs, and a brief apology, all of which concrete to form a rich portrait of a man stunted by a paralyzing fear of being disliked. show less

A hauntingly sad epic of vaguely auto-biographical fiction that takes place over the course of several generations within a family. At the center is Jimmy Corrigan, the name given to the eldest son in each generation. The present days Jimmy is a depressed office dweller who is contacted by his estranged father out of the blue right before Thanksgiving. Invited for an impromptu visit, Jimmy agrees though he is not enthusiastic. His father is disappointing in many ways but also full of secrets show more and insights, chief among them is the existence of a sister previously unknown to Jimmy.

Throughout the book we see flashbacks to the life of Jimmy's grandfather, who was a boy when the Chicago World's Fair was being constructed. Grandfather Jimmy was also lived a brutal and sad life dominated by a deeply disappointing father.

Dream, memory, and fantasy intertwine tightly within this novel's narrative, lending it the surreal quality of a nightmare. Although vaguely disgusting, the characters all have a certain pathetic charm that his hard to resist. The author's tone is light, playful, and cynical which brightens the material somewhat. I wouldn't say I enjoyed it, exactly, but I was moved by this strange and winding tale. show less

An amazing story somewhat burdened by moments of discomfort and sheer misery. I'm sure Ware achieves exactly what he aims to, but I'm still wondering if his pervasive disappointment in humanity is worth drinking up in large quantities, no matter how beautifully he packages it.