Pretending is Lying | 
pick#ThankfulThoughts Day 17: There is a makeshift, stream-of-consciousness flow to this graphic #memoir that is compelling and visceral – with the author herself being fully conscious of what she is leaving out, what she is including, what she imagines – as make-believe blends in with the real, with the lies of omission/commission, and the elevated art of pretense. My review: https://wp.me/pDlzr-myc
#AboutAugust Day 8: I have deep #affection for dark graphic memoirs (this one is from Belgium), cakes with vanilla ice cream topped with chocolate shell, and yes, iced coffee. My weekend treat and read.
pickThis atmospheric, moody graphic memoir is full of beautiful and emotional illustrations that tells of a dysfunctional family. The illustrations feel very organic, in a way, the colors bleed into one another, the text is handwritten in different styles, the colors are muted and sepia-toned. For me, the storyline was a bit hard to follow in parts, a bit disjointed but still haunting.
More blogging about books: https://lindypratch.blogspot.co.nz/2018/02/january-reading-round-up.html?m=1
Nikita [author‘s child]-That‘s my friend.
Blandine [author‘s stepmother]-Ah, does your friend have long hair?
Nikita-No, why?
Blandine-You just said that it‘s your friend and that she has long hair!!
Nikita-Ha, nope, it‘s just a character! [..] just for pretend!
Blandine-Pretending is lying! It‘s LYING!
The afterword in this memoir is written by Goblet‘s partner Guy Marc Hinant, who doesn‘t come off well in the content of the book: he‘s disturbed & deceitful. I was pleased to learn he contributed to its creation & feels a distance from it because it‘s art. “How have we created, in ourselves, that which we consider to be our own reality? The past is fiction, re-memorization, re-interpretation, fleeting obsession, projection, hypothesis & opacity.”
pickMemoirs in #comics format make my heart beat faster, especially when they are as breathtaking as this one by a Belgian artist, professor of comics & illustration, & certified electrician, plumber & welder. Fragmented scenes—Goblet‘s estranged alcoholic father & his bizarre wife, G‘s young daughter, & G‘s new boyfriend who was not yet over his ex—combine into an exquisite literary whole. #Translation by Sophie Yanow. Highly recommended. 🇧🇪
Dominique‘s stepmother Blandine is always portrayed like Munch‘s Scream. 😱
Dominique uses a ghostly presence to show how her partner is still emotionally invested in his ex, Michelle. Very effective.
Papa- I did everything for you!
Dominique- Yeah well what I wanted to say is that it‘s really the most basic duty for parents to feed their children …
Papa- Me, I have no obligations!!!
Dominique- Well, there are laws, aren‘t there?
Papa- NO DUTIES!! Nobody lays down the law with me!!!
[This encounter takes place after father and adult daughter haven‘t seen each other for years.]
pickI loved this. It is an illustrated journal that has been translated to English. While not my usual art style, the pictures worked well to put the emotions to the forefront. I adored the snippets from Goblet' s life, even when they weren't easy. This is a brave, brilliant piece. A quick read, but one that will be revisited often. 5☆'s!
It came today! 1/2 through, and living it. Interesting pics and a ton of emotion.
Okay, out of book funds, but should be able to set some aside Thurs. This illustrated memoir caught my eye. I am spellbound and have only seen one page. What do you think? Get It? Has anyone read this?
