The Freddie Stories
by Lynda Barry
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Description
THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF TROUBLED ADOLESCENTS FROM BARRY'S ACCLAIMED COMIC The Freddie Stories traces a year in the life of Freddie, the youngest member of the dysfunctional Mullen family. These four-panel entries--each representing an episode in the life of Freddie--bring to life adolescence, pimples and all. No matter what happens, it all seems to go wrong for Freddie--he's set up as an arsonist, mercilessly teased in school, and bossed around by classmates. With consummate skill, show more Lynda Barry writes about the cruelty of children at this most vulnerable age when the friends they make and the paths they choose can forever change their lives. InThe Freddie Storiesevery word of dialogue, every piece of narration, and every dark line evokes adolescent angst. These short, moving stories are collected from Barry's belovedErnie Pook's Comeek, which was serialized across North America for two decades. Re-packaged here with a brand-new afterword from Lynda Barry,The Freddie Storiesis an adult tale about just how hard it is to be a teenager, and it's classic Barry work--poignant, insightful, and true. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
An amazing story. Barry's cartoons show trauma from the innocent viewpoint of childhood and display the remarkable callousness and cruelty of the parents. Oozing the reality of growing up in the sixties with a single, working mom, smoking and drinking too. They are poignant and heart-wrenching, but also funny and filled with interesting tiny details in the drawings. Brilliant stuff. Not fluff.
Definitely Barry's weirdest book that I've read and probably the most depressing. A 4 star read but I'm annoyed that the previously unpublished strips were sequestered at the end instead of being part of the original narrative.
Perfect, haunting tale of childhood as only Barry can tell it.
Unforunately, I didn't get a lot out of this slice of life comic. The old, 'zine-style art was interesting, but sloppy, and I just didn't enjoy it overall, but maybe I'm the wrong audience.
What I liked about this book: chaotic drawings, kids dealing with this messed up world and mental illness, el fagtastico.
Ratings
Members
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Lists
Ernie Pook's Comeek: Collections
11 works; 1 member
Author Information
28+ Works 6,714 Members
Awards and Honors
Awards
Notable Lists
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 1999
- People/Characters
- Freddie Mullen; Marlys Mullen; Cousin Arnold; Maybonne Mullen; Glenn the Spaceman; Mr. File
Classifications
- Genre
- Graphic Novels & Comics
- DDC/MDS
- 741.5973 — Arts & recreation Drawing & decorative arts Drawing Comic books, graphic novels, fotonovelas, cartoons, caricatures, comic strips History, geographic treatment, biography North American United States (General)
- LCC
- PN6727 .B359 .F74 — Language and Literature Literature (General) Literature (General) Collections of general literature Comic books, strips, etc.
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 213
- Popularity
- 153,236
- Reviews
- 5
- Rating
- (4.14)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 3
- ASINs
- 1
