mschlat's review
4.0
Hard to read, both because of Ware's obsessive typography and design and because of the emotional impact. We're basically following the story of one man, with each page outlining an episode or short era in his life. And the man (the Lint in the title) is not admirable and becomes less so the more you read. Still, the work packs a punch, most notably due to the contribution of [a:Gary Panter|5126|Gary Panter|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1394591569p2/5126.jpg].
deepfreezebatman's review
4.0
yikes! I didn't think it was possible, but Chris Ware's stories keep getting more and more depressing. But it's sooo pretty! and sooo brilliant!! Not my favorite story or characters, but as always, the storytelling will blow your mind.
sizrobe's review
5.0
Basically the life story of a complete bastard, starting with birth and ending with death. It's rare that you come across a character so completely unlikable, so devoid of good qualities. That of course makes for some compelling reading. The art is standard Chris Ware style and experiments with the form a good bit, especially at the very beginning and very end.
clarkness's review
4.0
Extremely bleak and probably not a great read for me, a brand new father who does not want to read about people being terrible fathers and ruining their children, but certainly this work is beautifully told and sumptuously illustrated. Ware has a remarkable vision for his works and this one is no different.
lindacbugg's review
5.0
I love Chris Ware.
It doesn't matter how much of an ass or douchebag the subjects of his books are, they're still an absolute joy to read. Every page is chock full. I was so happy as I was reading this I was practically vibrating.
It doesn't matter how much of an ass or douchebag the subjects of his books are, they're still an absolute joy to read. Every page is chock full. I was so happy as I was reading this I was practically vibrating.
ponycanyon's review
5.0
BLUGH. It's almost painful to read Ware right now - he's the greatest living cartoonist doing his best work, and it's just BRAIN and SOUL-melting. Taking time out from his ongoing "Rusty Brown" epic (which, when finally finished and compiled, will split the entire universe in half and render all human narrative obsolete - it's THAT ridiculously good in toto, the greatest work of art that will have ever been rendered by mankind's craven hand) to tell the entire life story from birth to death of a minor character (Jordan Lint, who bullies Rusty Brown in one panel). Jordan is just a classical every-shitheel, from bullying child to stoner teen to college frat burnout to corporate raider/philandering family man adult - and yet, in spite of his complete lack of redeeming qualities or justifications, Ware treats and renders Lint with as much humanity, compassion, and pathos as Rusty or Jimmy Corrigan before him. Ware's layouts have gotten even more bonkers - he's almost in his FRACTAL phase, spraying boxes large and small all over the page with nary a "so...," arrow, or "and then..." to guide the reader as in previous installments.
garatuja's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mhall's review
3.0
The comics equivalent of depressing literary fiction about middle-aged white men who treat everyone poorly but feel misunderstood and alone (Like Updike, for example, or [b:Something Happened|10718|Something Happened|Joseph Heller|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166289004s/10718.jpg|2703812] by Joseph Heller.) The artistry of this stand-alone comic is beyond comparison in its details and sophistication and layout, but it describes a dismal, joyless, futile life. It makes me wonder what it is about Ware that makes him compelled to imagine a story like this. Starting from birth, each page of this book represents a year in sequence of Jordan Lint's life, from birth and childhood through marriages and grandchildren and eventual death.
arf88's review
3.0
This comics might be a work of art, but if it is it comes with a sacrifice of readability. If you manage to get past the presentation there is a great story to be had. The thing I loved about this comic, is that all along you know Lint isn't a very nice person, but you sympathise with him anyway, because his dad was abusive and because his adoring mother dies. But then right at the end it turns out that he was far worse than the pages of his life showed.
mountsleepyhead's review
5.0
Completely and utterly amazing. Chris Ware never seems to slack off and continually puts out these richly crafted stories year after year.