The Greatest of Marlys

This is a collection of Marlys-related strips created over a period of several years. Collectively, they convey sadness, humor, and nostalgia for the weird, difficult realm of childhood, which is convincingly portrayed. Marlys' world is one of poverty and neglect, but also of beauty, creativity, and hilarity. At the beginning of the book, Marlys' cousin Arna wonders why Marlys thinks she's so great. By the end of the book, I know the answer (because she is!), and wish that Arna had a similar opinion of herself (because she also is!). In a brief afterword, Barry says that this is not a memoir of her own childhood, but implies that it has some things in common.

Brilliant. I forgot how ridiculous and hilarious and gut-wrenching childhood was. Lynda Barry totally nails it. She is the master of the universe.

Marlys rocks

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