rryep's review against another edition
3.0
**Memoir
+Main Topics: Life Journey, Coming of Age, Mental Health, lgbtQia+
+lgbtQia+ author
+Credits
+Photographs
+Main Topics: Life Journey, Coming of Age, Mental Health, lgbtQia+
+lgbtQia+ author
+Credits
+Photographs
hayleyvem's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Mental illness, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Chronic illness, and Body shaming
Minor: Mass/school shootings, Homophobia, and Hate crime
blackmetalblackheart's review against another edition
4.0
The Fire Never Goes Out is a combination scrapbook and diary of Stevenson's life over the course of several years, his time at school and the start of his career. It mixes drawings, photos, and words to paint a picture of the important issues and events that happened during the timeframe. Split by year, each section is capped with a written wrap up of the period. As it progresses, Stevenson gets more real and raw with what he decides to share with the reader. It is an intimate look into a life filled with triumphs and struggles. Some might be thrown off by the fact that this book defies categorization. Not fitting solely as a comic, illustrated memoir, or collection of essays, it is a mix of all of these things and reads almost as if an audience is not needed or intended. I particularly enjoyed seeing Stevenson's queer journey in these years, especially considering the continued progress he has made since this was published. If you are looking for something human to read, then The Fire Never Goes Out is a good book to pick up.
cupidcove's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
3.0
I think this book would have been a lot more effective to someone who was more of a fan of/familiar with the progression of the work of Stevenson. I read this after having only read Nimona (though I had unknowingly been exposed to his work at many other points during my adolescence) and found the progression of events in the text to be a bit confusing without outside context. Despite this, I appreciate the discussion of mental health and sexuality, I just think that he may have wanted to rewrite the included posts looking back on his life to build a more coherent narrative rather than lifting them directly from the past. I also felt that some of the included short comics broke up the continuity of the text in a way I didn't understand.
bujoining's review against another edition
4.0
I learned a lot about the author and how to cope with mental illness. It was in some way soothing that someone else also has up and downs in their life.
I liked the style of having every years' review in present tense.
I liked the style of having every years' review in present tense.