Reviews

Cheap Novelties: The Pleasures of Urban Decay by Ben Katchor

ajkhn's review

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5.0

Really a beautiful, minimalist, little story of bygone New York (by which I mean, bygone any city). These little, limited, tales of sad lonely men are really wonderfully told. It's great stuff. Everyone in it is vaguely my grandpas, and all the little stories are the sort of things they would talk about.
It's not even really NYC-centric. All I could think about in most of them was Istanbul, the real megacity full of loneliness for my heart.
Recognizing that if you're not into sad old men and the buildings they inhabit, this may not be for you. But how could you not?

stiricide's review

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2.0

I... I GET it, I think? But it's non-linear, and it's more than a bit dry to try and sit and read through all at once. It's one of those things that, I'm glad someone did it, I'm glad it exists, I just didn't particularly enjoy the final product.

jmeier's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

kingarooski's review

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4.0

I loved the style of this graphic novel, and the nostalgia for days gone by so well depicted in these panels.

rachelcomplains's review against another edition

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5.0

very good yes very nice
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