An Age of License

I enjoyed this more than French Milk because in addition to cataloging her experiences, she expands on reflecting how she feels about whether it's okay to feel untethered in your mid-20s, whether or not that dovetails with wanting stability in the future, and if it's okay to just enjoy the now.

I appreciate that she recognizes the privilege to even have this 'age of license' moment traveling, especially as a creative type tight on funds, and thought that she covered her brief relationship with Henrik thoughtfully, capturing the feelings of infatuation and physical chemistry while backburner worries about how long it will last linger without villainizing him or revealing too much.

The back's copy says "Eat, Pray, Love of the Girls show more generation" and while I haven't consumed either of those things, I am looking at that description with some side eye... introspective privileged woman adventures for young white millenials? Probably not wrong, but also not a positive plug in the eyes of some readers. show less

As a single twenty something who loves to travel, I LOVED this graphic novel. It was honest, funny, insightful and really spoke to me! This memoir illustrates the author's journey abroad, her attempts at love, her aspirations for the future, and the experiences one gains while traveling. It's all honest and true which makes it that much more enjoyable. I honestly can't remember the last time I enjoyed a graphic novel so much. Also, from a librarian's standpoint, this would definitely fall under the genre of new adult. Even though it's cataloged in our collection as young adult, I would say that it's geared more towards young twenty somethings. Adorable!

For quite some time I have been searching for works that convey the life experiences of the twentysomething, the twentysomething that I can relate to. Someone who is not of sound mind and of a similar mindset to me. And I have, finally, found that author in Lucy Knisley. And so of course I promptly passed An Age of License on to Laura as soon as I finished! But on to my thoughts on the book.

Lucy doesn’t censor her writing or her drawing. I say that not because it is in anyway graphic (it’s not), but because her complete honesty and transparency with her feelings is refreshing and insightful. An Age of License reads as it really is – Lucy’s diary of her trip through northern Europe on her book tour – and it is really neat to show more read about book about a book tour! It also chronicles her relationship with a very opinionated young Swede.

I loved reading about Lucy’s stressors on her trip as well as her enjoyable moments, and having them illustrated certainly helps! The sense of loss (of oneself) and confusion over who you are and what you are meant to be, to me, defines the life stage known as one’s twenties and Lucy experiences them both, and chronicles them with a deft and skillful hand, I highly recommend it! show less

I finally opened up all of my little sticky tabs so that I could mark passages from the book I just finished. This is the first book that I've tabbed since I was in college. Therefore, it's reasonable to assume that this is one killer book, right? RIGHT. An Age of License: A Travelogue by Lucy Knisley was a curve ball that totally surprised me. Did I mention that this is a graphic novel? O_O Yes, I've once more gone into the breach and emerged triumphant. (I hope you imagined a fanfare playing while you read that.) It's about a trip she took in 2011 to Europe and the shenanigans that ensued. I enjoyed not only her drawing style but her approach to storytelling. I never felt lost among her drawings like I have in other graphic novels. show more Her drawing style really appealed to me. An Age of License is the story of a woman who found herself one of the remaining single women in her friend group who was at odds within herself with what she really wanted. I may have related somewhat...oh and the FOOD. She has other books out which are even more food focused so I'm definitely going to be getting my hands on those. Not only did this book make me reflect on my own life and how I approach it but it also made me want more. I can't even explain to you how excited I became when I looked up her biography and...well I don't want to give it away. ::maniacal laughter:: I think if you're into memoirs, coming-of-age stories, food biographies, and/or you're looking to try graphic novels this is a great choice. 10/10 show less

Already missing summer vacation? Looking for a means by which to travel the world in an afternoon? Lucy Knisley is here to help. She’s ready to take you on an adventure from Norway to Sweden to Germany to France, all for the price of a library card. So get ready. This graphic novel is a gorgeous, exciting European vacation on the cheap.

But like all good books and travelogues, it’s not all stunning old cities, delicious food, and romance with foreign boys (although there is plenty of all of the above, too). It’s really an exploration of being young and privileged enough to travel and what exactly that means. Lucy Knisley offers a window into that tricky time in life where you can’t help but think about the Future, but it hasn’t show more seemed to quite have arrived yet. The time when you aren’t in school but not quite settled into a career, when you are figuring out what you want from relationships long term, when you are seeing where and how other people live and trying it all on for size. In other words, Lucy let’s us travel along with her during her age of license. And it’s a beautiful, funny, insightful journey.

Whether you pick An Age of License up for the kissing or for the blowgun lessons, it’s the deeper ideas that are explored that will stay with you long after the final page is turned.

Reviewed for http://tatalonline.blogspot.com/2014/09/an-age-of-license-travelogue-by-lucy.htm... show less

from Laura:

I love travel memoirs, especially those in graphic format. I had a little bit of author envy while reading this book; Lucy Knisley gets invited to present at a comics conference in Norway and stretches her trip into three weeks visiting Norway, Sweden, Germany, and France. Perhaps too short for a very life-altering experience, but I found I could identify well with her desire to be both grounded and untethered. I love to travel, and I love to go home.

Things I enjoyed about An Age of License:
Minimalist facial expressions that convey strong emotions
Occasional full-color watercolors of people, food, and landscapes
Lucy learning how to spit wine gracefully
Driving with a croissant in her mouth

She is currently working on a book that show more chronicles her wedding, which should be equally entertaining.

Recommended reading:
Drink More Water by Chris Monday (local author!)
Le Road Trip: A Traveler's Journal of Love and France by Vivian Swift
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Habibi by Craig Thompson (not a memoir but with lots of travel and so so good)
Carnet de Voyage by Craig Thompson (travelogue documenting his trips abroad while researching for Habibi)
anything by Guy Delisle show less

I’m a huge fan of Knisley’s work. This one covers her time adventuring through Europe, visiting friends, and a brief love affair. She is so honest and I love her attention to detail. She savors each new food and experience she tries.

“What I really love about travel is that it takes us outside ourselves... it unhomes you. And allows you to see possibilities for change, growth, a new life.”

“Sometimes travel can show us how our life is... Or give us a glimpse of how it can be...”