oliviak07's review
3.0
While preparing for my first trip to Pittsburgh, I thought of giving Frank Santoro's graphic novel by the same name a try in order to have a native's POV of the city. Although it is far from a tourist's guide to the city known as "the Steel City" and even "Hell with the Lid Off", it gives readers a glance into how the recession of the area nurtured its residents and sometimes their views of their world and themselves.
Even though the book is well over 200 pages it flies by like a dream. The kaleidoscopic and psychedelic use of color and artistic mediums gives the drabness and troublesome moments of the author's life, and the city those moments occur, a surprising sense of reality. As I was reading the GN, and showing my dad the pages where the author and illustrator depicts the mills, you can see past the sketches and bold use of color to see something of a photograph. Something of a crystal clear memory. In a book about question who and what influences us and our choices (nature vs nurture), these drawings add to those questions and the lack of certainty in their answers.
The entire book could be the topic of discussion in literature and art classes for the thoughts stated above. While the GN itself did not leave a world shattering effect on my life near Cleveland (which is not a swing at the rivalry our cities face), I respect the journey to understanding about love and loss that the author experiences. His openness is welcomed, and "Pittsburgh" is (by his acknowledgment or that of readers) his masterpiece.
Even though the book is well over 200 pages it flies by like a dream. The kaleidoscopic and psychedelic use of color and artistic mediums gives the drabness and troublesome moments of the author's life, and the city those moments occur, a surprising sense of reality. As I was reading the GN, and showing my dad the pages where the author and illustrator depicts the mills, you can see past the sketches and bold use of color to see something of a photograph. Something of a crystal clear memory. In a book about question who and what influences us and our choices (nature vs nurture), these drawings add to those questions and the lack of certainty in their answers.
The entire book could be the topic of discussion in literature and art classes for the thoughts stated above. While the GN itself did not leave a world shattering effect on my life near Cleveland (which is not a swing at the rivalry our cities face), I respect the journey to understanding about love and loss that the author experiences. His openness is welcomed, and "Pittsburgh" is (by his acknowledgment or that of readers) his masterpiece.
zepysgirl's review against another edition
3.0
A book filled with melancholia. Left me feeling sad. Doesn’t really seem like this journey led us anywhere in particular other than into the doldrums.
bethnellvaccaro's review
3.0
I really liked the homemade look to this book which seemed to be made with markers and tape. It took me back to making ‘zines with my students and the painstaking process of photocopying in the right order. There were parts of the book that were stunning, and parts that were just okay for me, but it was worth the read.
2000s's review against another edition
4.5
LOVED this one. Great graphic memoir with such a unique art style and I liked the big pages. I did see this author talk in person and I really appreciated his artistic eye and his insight into the subtle colors of Pittsburgh and how he wanted to convey that larger-than-life on the page. The tone felt so familiar and wistful, like the narrative was trying to grab hold of something it can't. Somewhat sparse writing at times, but the depth of the relationships between Frank and his parents really made up for it.
My only complaint was that it was very white Pittsburgh dad which was a little obnoxious, but otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed this.
My only complaint was that it was very white Pittsburgh dad which was a little obnoxious, but otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed this.
cass_masters's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Beautiful. I wanted more. Story jumped around a bit