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WOW. This was my first graphic novel and what a way to start! I couldn't put it down. I picked it up late in the evening, intending to read a few pages before bed. Next thing I knew, I was at the end and STUNNED by how wonderful the entire experience of reading it was. This is an amazing novel. The words were sparse, the imagery AMAZING. I couldn't believe just how effective David Small was in making me FEEL things via the images in this book. I went back and read it a second time immediately be
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The graphic novel has been absorbed into the mainstream of literature and pop culture, and now Small's memoir finds good company among Daniel Clowes's Ghost World, Art Spiegelman's Maus, and Craig Thompson's Blankets, to name a few. Drawing on what can only be described as a chaotic and, in hindsight, horribly abusive childhood, the artist uses that great pain and occasional Alice in Wonderland whimsy to transcend memory. By turns appalling, intense, moving, and inventive, Stitches speaks volume
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I'm not a fan of the graphic novel, so imagine my surprise to find that I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I figured because this is a graphic novel, it would be a really quick read. It was definitely a quick read - because I couldn't put the book down. I was horrified at the events in Small's childhood. His family clearly repressed their emotions - repressed who they really were. This resulted in abuse - if not physical, emotional. David's parents not preparing him for the surgeries he was about t
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A graphic novel telling the story of the author's scarred, in dual meanings, childhood. Beautiful illustrations. Took less than an hour to read. Recommend.
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This is my second graphic novel, also done as a memoir, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought the graphics conveyed the sense of darkness and emotional upheaval better than any words could describe. The drawings were chilling and haunting. Small's mother and grandmother were terrifying as he pictured them. If I were seeing them through the eyes of a child as was Small, it would have been difficult to put into words the sinister feelings they evoked. That's why I find this graphic novel so effec
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WOW - what a book! David Small had a heck of an early life - very sad. But he has used that fodder to turn himself into an amazing and honest adult. This is not a book for children at all, but I can imagine that many YA readers will appreciate these insights. The art is haunting, then minimal text just enough to fill in a few gaps while the art carries most of the emotional content. Readers who love books like A Child Called It will clamor for Stitches.
If you don't already have this title on request at the library, place a hold soon! Small's memoir in illustrated / graphic format is nothing short of amazing. Not a happy childhood or family life. It was comforting to view the soft-eyed (sane!) photo of David Small in the inside jacket cover after finishing the book.
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This is a beautiful graphic novel by one of my favorite children's book authors and illustrators - it is difficult to see how such a joyful imagination could have come from this childhood. A book you will need to read several times.
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Loved this very touching graphic memoir. The story of a horrendous childhood is beautifully drawn and all too clearly explained. Cannot recommend it enough!
Very moving. If you can't feel for the imaginative little boy who was emotionally rejected by his mom (also possibly by his dad) and subsequently developed iatrogenic thyroid cancer (but was never actually told he had cancer for some time) then there is no hope for you as a human being. (Because refusing to have your child's tumor checked for almost two years, because of money issues, but then buying a car and new furnishings is child abuse IMO)
On the art side, the monochromatic line drawings an ...more
On the art side, the monochromatic line drawings an ...more
my first graphic novel - I loved it! It was terribly frightening and sad - just the way i like my books.
Incredible what David Small conveyed with few words and incredible drawings. Incredible what he has overcome. My heart ACHED for him throughout most of the book...then to see him triumph...!
Oct 10, 2009
Paula
marked it as to-read
Dec 28, 2009
Kate
marked it as to-read
Jan 22, 2011
Lisa
marked it as to-read
Feb 22, 2011
Heather (DeathByBook)
marked it as to-read
Jun 26, 2012
Amanda
marked it as to-read
Jun 29, 2012
Carolyn
marked it as to-read
Dec 05, 2013
Christina Browne
marked it as to-read
Feb 06, 2014
Kelly
added it
Apr 04, 2015
Holly
marked it as to-read
May 03, 2016
Megan
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
non-fiction,
male-author,
memoir,
2009,
family,
growing-up,
depressing,
mental-illness,
creepy,
dark
Dec 09, 2016
Qureshi
marked it as to-read
