Starting from Scratch

I have a number of these collections by Lynn Johnston and I have followed this cartoon for decades. This particular book is a keeper because it is the book in which Farley dies.

Another collection from the golden age of For Better or For Worse. In this volume, Elly changes jobs, Michael changes schools, Elizabeth changes hairstyles, and April goes swimming where she's not supposed to. And John, well, John just does a very good job of being a supporting character in this one. I hope he still got paid the same. Anyway, this one's a keeper for me.
--J.

Michael and the gang graduate from High School, and Lawrence brings Ben to the graduation dance, where he is accepted matter-of-factly. Michael leaves for college and meets Weed, his future roommate and work partner. April lets Sera loose, and she has a romp with Farley, and puppies soon after. The Pattersons adopt one of the puppies for Christmas. Michael comes home with long hair and a beard. Elly loses her job, but gets a new one at Lilliput Books, which she will eventually own. Gordon buys the garage he works for, and announces his engagement to Tracey. John and Elly vacation in Nassau. And in one of the most compelling and heart-rending episodes of the strip, Farley rescues April from a flooded river - and his heart stops afterward show more from the strain. There have been episodes here and there that have touched me in this strip, but rarely to this extent. show less