twentysixarias's review
3.0
Picked this up in the used book section. It was fun moment to flip through and see all the sex scenes and be a little embarrassed that someone else might have seen, so I bought it.
Ulli Lust recounts her polyamorous relationship and how she fell in love/in a relationship with a man who ended up being abusive, and how he almost kills her.
I found it interesting, enjoyed reading it, wanted to know what happened next, but I think this story was a little too "mundane." I wished Lust had dug a little deeper in what was going on outside her romantic relationships: Her relationship with her son, her art, her friends and the world. But it seemed like it scratched the surface, and even though I hate to say it, the summary of the book I gave really gives one all the information the book provides. There were some moments I questioned—such as meeting Kim's brother's family—that made me say "what's your point?"
It definitely will be a book I'll forget in a month.
Ulli Lust recounts her polyamorous relationship and how she fell in love/in a relationship with a man who ended up being abusive, and how he almost kills her.
Spoiler
The title itself comes from her attempt to not get him deported despite his abuse.I found it interesting, enjoyed reading it, wanted to know what happened next, but I think this story was a little too "mundane." I wished Lust had dug a little deeper in what was going on outside her romantic relationships: Her relationship with her son, her art, her friends and the world. But it seemed like it scratched the surface, and even though I hate to say it, the summary of the book I gave really gives one all the information the book provides. There were some moments I questioned—such as meeting Kim's brother's family—that made me say "what's your point?"
It definitely will be a book I'll forget in a month.
marlins's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
2.0
I find this book very racist, it makes me sick.
Of course, the only main black character looks different in so many ways. While you can always identifie the white people with just one glanze you have to look very carefully and hard sometimes to see Kim in the drawing or more, recognize him.
Reading this comic reminded me a lot about the recent or not so recent discussions about astrid lindgrens pipi langstrumpf books and the drawings in there.
Obviously it has to be the Refugee, who is violent against a woman, deals with drugs, leaves his child alone with the mother.
Yes, this might be Ulli´s true story, but i dont think it helps to call yourself an anarchist and then publish a book like this. i was depely disappointed.
dont read, if you try to unlearn racist behaviour!
sorry for my english!
Of course, the only main black character looks different in so many ways. While you can always identifie the white people with just one glanze you have to look very carefully and hard sometimes to see Kim in the drawing or more, recognize him.
Reading this comic reminded me a lot about the recent or not so recent discussions about astrid lindgrens pipi langstrumpf books and the drawings in there.
Obviously it has to be the Refugee, who is violent against a woman, deals with drugs, leaves his child alone with the mother.
Yes, this might be Ulli´s true story, but i dont think it helps to call yourself an anarchist and then publish a book like this. i was depely disappointed.
dont read, if you try to unlearn racist behaviour!
sorry for my english!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Deportation, Violence, Toxic relationship, Racial slurs, Gaslighting, Sexism, Racism, and Physical abuse
dont read, if you try to unlearn racist behaviour!juannaranjo's review
4.0
“Como traté de ser una buena persona” cuenta la historia autobiográfica de una aspirante artista gráfica austriaca de veintitantos años que (tras los excesos de una primera juventud anarquista, desordenada y cercana a las adicciones) trata de asentarse en el mundo y en su profesión.
Cuando crees que este cómic es solo otra de esas historias de artistas underground que cuentan su experiencia artística en forma de historieta el libro cambia de rumbo y se convierte en una narración sobre las parejas abiertas, la maternidad no vocacional, la sexualidad femenina, el racismo, las políticas migratorias, el maltrato machista y la supervivencia de los artistas vocacionales. Una auténtica sorpresa.
La autora Ulli Lust muestra una generosidad inusitada no ahorrándose detalles escabrosos, íntimos y poco habituales en la narrativa. Sus dibujos y sus diálogos producen en el lector un placer solo comparable al del voyeur que ve las bambalinas de una fascinante vida ajena.
Cuando crees que este cómic es solo otra de esas historias de artistas underground que cuentan su experiencia artística en forma de historieta el libro cambia de rumbo y se convierte en una narración sobre las parejas abiertas, la maternidad no vocacional, la sexualidad femenina, el racismo, las políticas migratorias, el maltrato machista y la supervivencia de los artistas vocacionales. Una auténtica sorpresa.
La autora Ulli Lust muestra una generosidad inusitada no ahorrándose detalles escabrosos, íntimos y poco habituales en la narrativa. Sus dibujos y sus diálogos producen en el lector un placer solo comparable al del voyeur que ve las bambalinas de una fascinante vida ajena.
alli_lyn's review against another edition
2.0
Although I admired the author's honesty and openness regarding her flaws, her actions are quite selfish. The drawings were nice the story, not so much.
cobblestones's review
3.0
An interesting read, although not exactly an enjoyable one. Earnest, sticky sincerity bleeds throughout each drawing and its words, which makes it more palatable, easier to read, easier to see the author as a person, and not a character to be judged.
The story she's telling, it would be easy to pass judgment - but she crafts it in such a way that allows for understanding, instead. It broadened my perspective, added a small ounce to my understanding, granted me an extra feathersworth of patience. I am prone to snap judgments and these gifts are rare and valuable when encountered.
Easily the most NSFW graphic novel I've ever read, if that matters to anyone. Not unnecessarily lewd - nothing, in fact, feels unnecessary in this memoir - but very artistically in your face with the sexytimes. I'd originally started reading this book on public transport and decided that wasn't a great idea.
Content warning - there are depictions of domestic violence in this book that will be triggering/difficult for some readers to go through.
The story she's telling, it would be easy to pass judgment - but she crafts it in such a way that allows for understanding, instead. It broadened my perspective, added a small ounce to my understanding, granted me an extra feathersworth of patience. I am prone to snap judgments and these gifts are rare and valuable when encountered.
Easily the most NSFW graphic novel I've ever read, if that matters to anyone. Not unnecessarily lewd - nothing, in fact, feels unnecessary in this memoir - but very artistically in your face with the sexytimes. I'd originally started reading this book on public transport and decided that wasn't a great idea.
Content warning - there are depictions of domestic violence in this book that will be triggering/difficult for some readers to go through.
oksi's review
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Gaslighting and Racism
Minor: Drug use