I just came back to this after having read the book myself and realize I unintentionally did the drawing exercise you suggest and found myself thinking about the second discussion question a lot! I must’ve absorbed these months ago and they emerged finally once I’d read this book. 😆
I liked it overall but was left with a sour taste in my mouth when I read the bio at the end because it was all about her husband! I have never written up my thoughts about a book before and was so annoyed by that that I wrote a little post about it.
But I really enjoyed her drawings and found myself coming back to them later and studying them!
I agree with your critique--and reading it with a feminist lens. I also didn't know who the husband was; we reviewed the book because it was a diary by a woman, and Nora and I are especially interested in sharing the work of female comics creators. I also think there is probably more to be said about the cancer narrative that arises organically in the diary, and then, presumably, is the reason for the end of the diary.
But, on a more optimistic note! The drawings and descriptions were so interesting to ground the work in a specific place and time. I even enjoyed how she described the weather in each panel. I hope you tackle the drawing exercise for a couple days and post them!
And so interesting (and makes sense) that the cancer story jumped out at you and informs how you interpreted the story. I used to hate this kind of analysis and now I find it fascinating… 😆
I just came back to this after having read the book myself and realize I unintentionally did the drawing exercise you suggest and found myself thinking about the second discussion question a lot! I must’ve absorbed these months ago and they emerged finally once I’d read this book. 😆
How cool! What did you think of the book?
I liked it overall but was left with a sour taste in my mouth when I read the bio at the end because it was all about her husband! I have never written up my thoughts about a book before and was so annoyed by that that I wrote a little post about it.
But I really enjoyed her drawings and found myself coming back to them later and studying them!
I agree with your critique--and reading it with a feminist lens. I also didn't know who the husband was; we reviewed the book because it was a diary by a woman, and Nora and I are especially interested in sharing the work of female comics creators. I also think there is probably more to be said about the cancer narrative that arises organically in the diary, and then, presumably, is the reason for the end of the diary.
But, on a more optimistic note! The drawings and descriptions were so interesting to ground the work in a specific place and time. I even enjoyed how she described the weather in each panel. I hope you tackle the drawing exercise for a couple days and post them!
Oooh yes I read it for the same reason as you!
And so interesting (and makes sense) that the cancer story jumped out at you and informs how you interpreted the story. I used to hate this kind of analysis and now I find it fascinating… 😆