bdesmond's review against another edition
5.0
Calvin and Hobbes will always hold a very special place in my heart, and in the hearts of many. I doubt you could find someone out there that has read it and didn't like it. It's everything a comic should be; smart, sharp, utterly hilarious, it gives warmth, it teaches, it fills you with the same feeling of love and happiness that an embrace from a loved one does. In short, I love it. There was always a collection laying around when I was growing up; free to be leafed through by all. I must have read, 'The Essential Calvin and Hobbes' ten times front to back. Probably more. It actually wasn't until I looked here on Goodreads that I realized that particular compilation is a mash up of the first two collections, which is consequently why so many of the strips in this first collection were familiar to me.
Everything about the strip is masterfully done, as Bill Watterson is a master in the medium. Calvin and Hobbes.. They're so utterly adult, and yet so inarguably childish. I think that fact in itself says something very important about childhood, something that Watterson did an incredible job of portraying. I mean you've got this six year old kid talking to his stuffed tiger, Hobbes. Utterly ridiculous. And yet they have stimulating conversations about life's greatest mysteries and philosophies; life after death, whether one controls one's own fate. They regularly wax poetic about love's true meaning, and they turn a skeptical eye toward the politics and cultural stigmas of our world. All this in four panels or less (more on Sundays of course). It's phenomenal. And it is all done with the lightest of hearts, and sneaks a laugh in everywhere possible. The dichotomy between this young boy and his imaginary friend and the things which consume their thoughts is just perfect, and turns the whole endeavor into a whimsical ride you can't take seriously if you tried. Yet you come away feeling you've gained a bit more than a few chuckles.
I love Calvin and Hobbes. It makes me happy; and anything that makes you happy should be savored and explored. There are so many things I love about it, so many things that occur just within this first collection, that I thought I'd make a short list of things that I love, as they occurred to me while reading.
I love:
- The way that Calvin's mouth sometimes disappears completely when it is fully closed. I adore it, actually. Watterson's style fits his story so, so well.
- Calvin's 'Dad' polls, as if his father is simply holding office and could be voted out if he but had the votes.
- When Calvin breaks the fourth wall.
- The downhill wagon rides, often while philosophizing deeply.
- Spaceman Spiff, and all other scenes born of Calvin's imagination (his mother as a giant ape, himself as a t-rex devouring a tribe while eating popcorn)
This is but a taste. If you, somehow, have never read Calvin and Hobbes then you truly owe it to yourself to do so. You will not regret it. I'm really excited to read through the rest of the collections.
Everything about the strip is masterfully done, as Bill Watterson is a master in the medium. Calvin and Hobbes.. They're so utterly adult, and yet so inarguably childish. I think that fact in itself says something very important about childhood, something that Watterson did an incredible job of portraying. I mean you've got this six year old kid talking to his stuffed tiger, Hobbes. Utterly ridiculous. And yet they have stimulating conversations about life's greatest mysteries and philosophies; life after death, whether one controls one's own fate. They regularly wax poetic about love's true meaning, and they turn a skeptical eye toward the politics and cultural stigmas of our world. All this in four panels or less (more on Sundays of course). It's phenomenal. And it is all done with the lightest of hearts, and sneaks a laugh in everywhere possible. The dichotomy between this young boy and his imaginary friend and the things which consume their thoughts is just perfect, and turns the whole endeavor into a whimsical ride you can't take seriously if you tried. Yet you come away feeling you've gained a bit more than a few chuckles.
I love Calvin and Hobbes. It makes me happy; and anything that makes you happy should be savored and explored. There are so many things I love about it, so many things that occur just within this first collection, that I thought I'd make a short list of things that I love, as they occurred to me while reading.
I love:
- The way that Calvin's mouth sometimes disappears completely when it is fully closed. I adore it, actually. Watterson's style fits his story so, so well.
- Calvin's 'Dad' polls, as if his father is simply holding office and could be voted out if he but had the votes.
- When Calvin breaks the fourth wall.
- The downhill wagon rides, often while philosophizing deeply.
- Spaceman Spiff, and all other scenes born of Calvin's imagination (his mother as a giant ape, himself as a t-rex devouring a tribe while eating popcorn)
This is but a taste. If you, somehow, have never read Calvin and Hobbes then you truly owe it to yourself to do so. You will not regret it. I'm really excited to read through the rest of the collections.
rouver's review against another edition
5.0
I've read & re-read Calvin & Hobbes over the years, and they're always delightful. Honestly, is there anyone out there who doesn't think so?! What rock have you been living under if you *haven't* read Calvin & Hobbes by now?
crossmel00's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
ozblom24's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
viveknshah's review against another edition
5.0
Hooter: a series of comic panels starring a young kid Calvin and his stuffed toy tiger which is alive and kicking as per him.
Bill Watterson reminds me of RK Laxman common man. Leveraging a young brat protagonist to portray share his witty observations and social commentary on the way of life from an unconstrained perspective. He's battling monsters under in his bed one moment and contemplating live after death in the next. A woke adult would not provide the same sharp insights as Calvin and his stuffed toy coming to life Hobbes can.. the book is a collection from a lot of his syndicated work so provides a wide range of 3 -4 panel stories bunched together - kinda like paani puri. You don't know when one tingling sensation starts and love ends and that blows your mind. This is a must read and mood lightener in this current #lockdown environment along with it being on the all time recommendation list.
Bill Watterson reminds me of RK Laxman common man. Leveraging a young brat protagonist to portray share his witty observations and social commentary on the way of life from an unconstrained perspective. He's battling monsters under in his bed one moment and contemplating live after death in the next. A woke adult would not provide the same sharp insights as Calvin and his stuffed toy coming to life Hobbes can.. the book is a collection from a lot of his syndicated work so provides a wide range of 3 -4 panel stories bunched together - kinda like paani puri. You don't know when one tingling sensation starts and love ends and that blows your mind. This is a must read and mood lightener in this current #lockdown environment along with it being on the all time recommendation list.
libraryrobin's review against another edition
3.0
Bill Watterson is always entertaining. Goofy, insightful, and delightful.
barryhaworth's review against another edition
5.0
Earlier this year I had a conversation with my nephew Daniel which made me realise that I had never read any Calvin and Hobbes. Of course I was aware of them, but somehow I had the idea that they were some sort of very existential/cynical/political offering, which isn't my sort of thing.
How wrong I was. Prompted by the conversation I tracked down the first volume, and am thoroughly charmed. A lovely series about a six year old boy and his imaginary friend, beautifully drawn, and transitioning effortless from the real world to the world of Calvin's imagination. Marvelous stuff. Thank you Daniel - I will certainly be reading the rest of the series.
How wrong I was. Prompted by the conversation I tracked down the first volume, and am thoroughly charmed. A lovely series about a six year old boy and his imaginary friend, beautifully drawn, and transitioning effortless from the real world to the world of Calvin's imagination. Marvelous stuff. Thank you Daniel - I will certainly be reading the rest of the series.
annelisegordon's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0