By: Lynda Barry Publisher: Sasquatch Books Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Sasquatch Books Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 224 Publication Date: August 24, 2005
One Hundred Demons collects a series of memoiristic strips that appeared in Salon’s popular “Mothers Who Think” section. Here are 20 stories told in Lynda Barry’s distinctive cartoon-narrative style that delve into the funk and sweetness of love, family, adolescence, race and the 'hood, identity — all the forces that made her the "wreck" she is today. Barry distinguishes these stories with her pitch-perfect sense of the way young people talk and think and her ability to casually render childhood’s cruelties in luminous, unsparing detail. From her nattering and intolerant/loving Filipina grandmother to the ex-boyfriend from hell who had lice, One Hundred Demons paints a memorable picture of a gifted girl whose life is intersected by a cast of crazies. Hailed for its shimmering watercolor images and called by Time magazine “a work of art as well as literature,” this collection makes an important addition to the genre Barry has sardonically christened “autobiofictionalography.”
a work of artistic genius The two featured editorial reviews (one from School Library Journal, and the other from Publishers Weekly) explain quite well what the book is about. And you can see from the reviews of the two dozen or so readers, how deeply they were affected by the story of Linda's childhood. I have never seen this method of delivery before. The story is related with the words that would have been chosen by a child, and the art is the unfocused line and uninhibited color of a child, as well. Yet the illustrations (in a form normally seen only in the Sunday comics) are amazingly expressive and communicative. The artwork may well be in a genre of its own. I have never seen anything quite like this book. I think Ms. Barry deserves huge praise for being able to do so well, something that no one else can do. I enjoyed the book very much, and recommend it without reservation.
how the truth revealed transforms My daughter was assigned this book as pre-college reading, and I picked it up and devoured it. it's wonderful. with beautiful, careful, sprightly illustrations and text, Barry evokes the pivotal experiences of her life, and in the process transforms suffering into art and ease.
Superbly written and a visual treat to boot! Lynda Barry's "One Hundred Demons," is a stunning autobiographical novel both in the constructed narrative as well as the overall visual style. Each chapter chronicles events in her childhood ranging in emotion from the nostalgic and whimsical all the way to sad and completely upsetting. Written with complete honesty and lack of censure one can't help but feel moved at the seminal moments in Barry's life that she shares with her readers in this book. While the writing alone is worth the price of admission the ultimate bonus is the construction of the book itself (very handsome) along with Barry's wonderful artwork. This time readers are treated not only to Barry's signature comic sketches but a plethora of found-art collages as well to complement each chapter.
Required Text This was a required textbook for one of my senior-level college classes. It was a self-reflective-type discussion starter. The book is great and I enjoyed the little tutorial at the end on how to "paint your own demon".
unexpected I haven't ever truly read a comic, save for those in the Sunday paper and that happens about once a year. This book was handed to me by a friend and it was so unexpected and unconventional to tackle the subjects and human pain she does with her narration and illustrations. She pairs them together well and while the tilte seems a little, well "evil" the sentiments and conclusions in this book are anything but. I loved it.
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