mschlat's review against another edition
3.0
Wait, [a:Audrey Niffenegger|498072|Audrey Niffenegger|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1367342548p2/498072.jpg] and [a:Eddie Campbell|5122|Eddie Campbell|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1261253995p2/5122.jpg] are married?
This is a collection of short stories written by Niffenegger and either illustrated or turned into comics by the great Campbell. Many of the stories have a fantastic, historical, or romantic turn (and often some combination of those). However, nothing really stood out for me. Part of the issue was that Campbell's artwork here often moves away from the scratchy black and white inks I adore to more use of blobs of color to outline figures. (Exceptions - and among the best stories - are "RoseRedSnowRidingBeautyShoesHoodSleepingWhite" and "Motion Studies: Getting out of Bed".) So entertaining, but not a must read.
This is a collection of short stories written by Niffenegger and either illustrated or turned into comics by the great Campbell. Many of the stories have a fantastic, historical, or romantic turn (and often some combination of those). However, nothing really stood out for me. Part of the issue was that Campbell's artwork here often moves away from the scratchy black and white inks I adore to more use of blobs of color to outline figures. (Exceptions - and among the best stories - are "RoseRedSnowRidingBeautyShoesHoodSleepingWhite" and "Motion Studies: Getting out of Bed".) So entertaining, but not a must read.
raohyrule's review against another edition
3.0
Very strange indeed. My favorite was easily The Church of the Funnies.
truleejenann's review against another edition
funny
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
crookedtreehouse's review against another edition
2.0
To be filed under: Law of diminishing returns.
This anthology of collaborative work between spouses Audrey Niffenegger and [a:Eddie Campbell|5122|Eddie Campbell|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1261253995p2/5122.jpg] initially had me under its spell. I loved the first two stories: "Thursdays 6 to 8pm" and "The Composite Boyfriend" but the writing tricks Niffenegger employs lose their charm when encountered in quick succession, and it felt like the art devolved from charming to rejected MS Paint webcomics as the book wore on (with the exception of Motion Studies, which I didn't care much for but which was exquisitely drawn).
I would recommend this for people who are willing to read one story then read a book with a completely different feel and then come back for another story (the stories are decent sorbets), people who enjoy quirky stories more than they enjoy narrative satisfaction, and people who think webcomic art peaked in 2001.
This anthology of collaborative work between spouses Audrey Niffenegger and [a:Eddie Campbell|5122|Eddie Campbell|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1261253995p2/5122.jpg] initially had me under its spell. I loved the first two stories: "Thursdays 6 to 8pm" and "The Composite Boyfriend" but the writing tricks Niffenegger employs lose their charm when encountered in quick succession, and it felt like the art devolved from charming to rejected MS Paint webcomics as the book wore on (with the exception of Motion Studies, which I didn't care much for but which was exquisitely drawn).
I would recommend this for people who are willing to read one story then read a book with a completely different feel and then come back for another story (the stories are decent sorbets), people who enjoy quirky stories more than they enjoy narrative satisfaction, and people who think webcomic art peaked in 2001.
tsubhdearg's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
georgiaand's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
asiaklg's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this up because it had Niffenegger’s name on it, but was disappointed to learn that she was the writer, not the artist in this case because I really love her artwork. I wasn’t familiar with Eddie Campbell before this book and I have to say, I’m glad I looked up what his comics art is normally like because I really wasn’t a fan of the art in this book, which looked thrown together and quite a bit like it could have been made in MS Paint. The stories are nice, though. I think maybe the title Bizarre Romance doesn’t totally suit the book because not all of the stories are about romantic love. Some are about love for family and friends or bizarre relationships that have nothing to do with love. The stories are indeed bizarre and often fantastical and it felt like reading an adult storybook. Each story was heartwarming or funny, especially “Thursdays, Six to Eight p.m.” and “Secret Life, with Cats,” but some did leave me wanting a bit more, always a risk with collections of short comics.
fayewednesday's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5