lewis_fishman's review against another edition
5.0
hilarious and heartbreaking in equal measure, adrian is just simply great in his medium. his graphic novels (both fiction and non fiction) are beautiful and compelling, and are worth a read. i think the ending panels are just brilliant.
jekutree's review against another edition
5.0
Hilarious. Touching. Honest. Self Reflective.
The Loneliness of The Long Distance cartoonist is some of Tomine’s absolute strongest work. He’s been one of my all time favorites ever since checking out Killing and Dying and as a follow up, this definitely stacks up. Throughout the story we get stories of Adrian Tomine as a cartoonist and as a person. A large large portion of these stories are played comedically and work really effectively. Tomine is absolutely ruthless with himself, often painting himself for a joke. The book’s humor definitely could come across as niche since most deal with alt comics and picking up on references engrained in the scene definitely enhance it.
Being familiar with his work, I thought it was really interesting that he’s never really strayed away from the short story model. Even though this does have ongoing themes of fatherhood, humility and being humble, it’s still a series of connecting vignettes. The stories very much standalone but are enhanced by reading them together. I could totally see myself flipping through this book to read a few of my favorite stories over again if I was browsing my shelves. Another thing about this book in particular that’s worthy to mention is the major change in art style. Adrian flirted with this sketchy/doodly style previously in his Marriage book, taking it on for a full length project like this was awesome. I also really love the consistent 6 panel grid. Consistent panel layouts always set a tone perfectly for a book.
The construction of the book as well adds to the whole charm of it. The notebook paper and look of the whole thing adds a bunch to the honesty on personal feel of it all.
Overall, this book down to the presentation is incredible. It adds something very worthwhile to Tomine’s bibliography and that’s saying something since the whole thing is worthwhile.
The Loneliness of The Long Distance cartoonist is some of Tomine’s absolute strongest work. He’s been one of my all time favorites ever since checking out Killing and Dying and as a follow up, this definitely stacks up. Throughout the story we get stories of Adrian Tomine as a cartoonist and as a person. A large large portion of these stories are played comedically and work really effectively. Tomine is absolutely ruthless with himself, often painting himself for a joke. The book’s humor definitely could come across as niche since most deal with alt comics and picking up on references engrained in the scene definitely enhance it.
Being familiar with his work, I thought it was really interesting that he’s never really strayed away from the short story model. Even though this does have ongoing themes of fatherhood, humility and being humble, it’s still a series of connecting vignettes. The stories very much standalone but are enhanced by reading them together. I could totally see myself flipping through this book to read a few of my favorite stories over again if I was browsing my shelves. Another thing about this book in particular that’s worthy to mention is the major change in art style. Adrian flirted with this sketchy/doodly style previously in his Marriage book, taking it on for a full length project like this was awesome. I also really love the consistent 6 panel grid. Consistent panel layouts always set a tone perfectly for a book.
The construction of the book as well adds to the whole charm of it. The notebook paper and look of the whole thing adds a bunch to the honesty on personal feel of it all.
Overall, this book down to the presentation is incredible. It adds something very worthwhile to Tomine’s bibliography and that’s saying something since the whole thing is worthwhile.
berawecka's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
mschlat's review against another edition
4.0
The first twenty pages or so set the tone. Tomine is detailing episodes of embarrassment in his life, starting from his childhood and moving forward in time. Often, it's clear he's making the situation worse with anxiety, but the precipitating event is often out of his control and horrible.
So I start reading and I cringe and cringe and cringe, and I start wondering if I can handle 200 pages of this... It's raw and painful and seemingly purposeless. (Is this just a list of humiliations?)
And then the timeline passes his early twenties, and while the embarrassment continues, it's more nuanced and understandable. Tomine is more aware of the agency he has, and the presence of his family partially offsets the anxiety.
And then the last quarter of the book explains the first three quarters (and I won't detail how), and the whole work shimmers with meaning and purpose and even good humor. It's a wonderful turn and one of the most pleasant endings I've read in awhile.
Sidenote #1: I read this and learned that I've been mispronouncing Tomine's last name for DECADES. It might please his preadolescent self that I now remember that his name follows the same rhythmic pattern as John Romita.
Sidenote #2: Drawn & Quarterly knocks it out the park designwise. This volume resembles a personal journal, down to the elastic strap holding it closed and the nameplate in the front.
So I start reading and I cringe and cringe and cringe, and I start wondering if I can handle 200 pages of this... It's raw and painful and seemingly purposeless. (Is this just a list of humiliations?)
And then the timeline passes his early twenties, and while the embarrassment continues, it's more nuanced and understandable. Tomine is more aware of the agency he has, and the presence of his family partially offsets the anxiety.
And then the last quarter of the book explains the first three quarters (and I won't detail how), and the whole work shimmers with meaning and purpose and even good humor. It's a wonderful turn and one of the most pleasant endings I've read in awhile.
Sidenote #1: I read this and learned that I've been mispronouncing Tomine's last name for DECADES. It might please his preadolescent self that I now remember that his name follows the same rhythmic pattern as John Romita.
Sidenote #2: Drawn & Quarterly knocks it out the park designwise. This volume resembles a personal journal, down to the elastic strap holding it closed and the nameplate in the front.
graceiredale's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this! Can relate to Adrian Tomine's pessimistic attitude probably a bit too much. As a stationary nerd and moleskine notebook lover, the format is dreamy.