⇒ Read Gratis Stitches A Memoir David Small 9780393338966 Books

Stitches A Memoir David Small 9780393338966 Books

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Stitches A Memoir David Small 9780393338966 Books

The biggest complaint I hear about alternative or independent comic writer/artists is that they spend an inordinate amount of time `navel gazing'. In other words, they center their stories on themselves with emphasis on the sadness and pain in their lives. Their medium becomes a black and white means of release, a cathartic outlet to resolve some inner turmoil while the reader becomes a surrogate psychologist sharing in the sorrow. If an artist is going to travel down this well worn path, and the genre of autobiographical suffering is a very well worn path, you better set yourself apart or risk being lost in a sea of sames. Stitches is a very good book but I've read this story by other artists who were likewise talented.

The book centers on the dismal relationship between artist/writer David Small and his mother, a woman with an icy dimeaner that borders on sadistic. Mr. Small does an excellent job of capturing the seething hatred (yes hatred) between himself and his mother. There is a moment when the poisonous relationship between mother and child reaches a crescendo thanks to some blunt words from a large talking white rabbit and the author deftly uses images of rain to convey the release and washing away of years of built up pain. On the other hand rain is perhaps an overly obvious metaphor for sorrow and renewal. Clearly David's mother suffered from deep psychological problems that she inherited from her own mother who may exceed even her in terms of being psychotic.

In my mind what David Small lacks is a hook, something to differentiate himself from the sea of alternative comic artists out there. When I think of alternative artists who stand apart I think of Jim Woodring or Cathy Malkasian or `Kaz'. I've really enjoyed Chris Ware in the past and consider him a genius but I finally had to stop reading his books because they are just too darn depressing. Stitches may be even more depressing because unlike Chris Ware's stories this one is non fiction. The final two pages of the book include actual photos of David Small, his mother and his father. His father isn't nearly the villain his mother is but he won't be winning any father or the year awards. I liked that the readers were given a chance to see the real people behind the characters of the story. I'm not sure if Mr. Small chose the photos of himself and his mother but his is definitely an unflattering selection.

So the big question is do you want to be a part of David Small very public yet personal psychological therapy? I congratulate him for having the courage to open up but I can't lie and say that I was riveted in reading about his worst childhood traumas. The art is quite good but despite his technical competence I never felt like Mr. Small found a way to distinguish himself from other alternative artists. Stitches is in no way bad but it's unlikely I'll remember it much past the completion of this review.


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Stitches A Memoir David Small 9780393338966 Books Reviews

This is an absolutely phenomenal autobiographical story that is made even richer through the illustration of Mr. Small. Some of the most profound moments are expressed without words but through simple yet highly expressive images that allow the reader to literally view the story from Mr. Small's eyes. The play of light and dark in the black and white drawings is almost cinematic at times it's so well executed. While the story is quite shocking and often depressing the images bring it a sense of immediacy that is never overwhelming emotionally. When I first opened it, I expected to read for maybe ten minutes or so before a show I liked started. Instead, I found myself tearing through the book in one sitting, completely forgetting that the show I had planned on watching even existed. This is one of the few graphic novels that I've successfully gotten graphic novel haters to read and actually love. It truly transcends its genre in that regard. So if you're hesitant to read this because you don't want to read a 'comic book', please do yourself a favor and try this book out. Even if you never read another graphic novel in your life, this one is worth trying.
David Small tells the story of his unhappy childhood in this graphic memoir. About 50 years ago, when Mr. Small was 14, he underwent surgery that rendered him mute for all intents and purposes and also resulted in his thyroid gland being removed. He believed that a cyst was being removed, but it turned out that the "cyst" was a tumor that had begun to grow as the result of the x-ray treatments performed on David when David was just an infant by his own father (who was a radiologist). At the time that David was an infant, radiological treatments were used to cure sinus and breathing issues, which David had as a child. As a result of the insane amount of radiology used, David developed cancer. For nearly a decade after his surgery, he couldn't physically speak above the level of a hoarse whisper, no matter how hard he trained his remaining vocal cords.

The fact that David's father gave him cancer is one of the devastating sad parts of the story; but there is a second theme that is just as devastating the communication, or lack of it, that is apparent in David's family The fact that David was exposed to a high risk of cancer by his father isn't really discussed by David, his father OR his mother aside from a very, very brief conversation a few months after the surgery. In fact, it's almost as if David learned that he had cancer by accident and would have continued to believe that a cyst was removed if he hadn't accidentally stumbled upon it. Other communication was non-verbal - his mother only communicated her displeasure by a little cough that she had. She wasn't very adept at showing her love for her son, if she even loved him at all. It's also about having a voice - or finding an alternative method to having your voice heard when your original voice has been literally ripped from you without your knowledge or consent.

The book is really raw. My heart wrenched, particularly at the parts where David is flashing back to getting the high doses of radiation when he learns that he, in fact, was exposed to cancer by his father. Mr. Small has a way of illustrating the raw, strong emotions without words being necessary to convey what he intends. Needless to say, if you haven't figured it out yet, I loved how Mr. Small drew this book. While the story itself moves quickly because of the careful format, I urge you to slow down or go back after the first read through so that you can study the illustrations and really appreciate them.
I tried with hesitation - thinking I would hate any graphic novel. Dumfounded when I discovered how absolutely incredible this book was. Such an honest straightforward portrayal of his experiences without any feelings of self pity. Was able to portray the innocense of a child dealing with events he doesn't at the time realize are not normal.
The biggest complaint I hear about alternative or independent comic writer/artists is that they spend an inordinate amount of time `navel gazing'. In other words, they center their stories on themselves with emphasis on the sadness and pain in their lives. Their medium becomes a black and white means of release, a cathartic outlet to resolve some inner turmoil while the reader becomes a surrogate psychologist sharing in the sorrow. If an artist is going to travel down this well worn path, and the genre of autobiographical suffering is a very well worn path, you better set yourself apart or risk being lost in a sea of sames. Stitches is a very good book but I've read this story by other artists who were likewise talented.

The book centers on the dismal relationship between artist/writer David Small and his mother, a woman with an icy dimeaner that borders on sadistic. Mr. Small does an excellent job of capturing the seething hatred (yes hatred) between himself and his mother. There is a moment when the poisonous relationship between mother and child reaches a crescendo thanks to some blunt words from a large talking white rabbit and the author deftly uses images of rain to convey the release and washing away of years of built up pain. On the other hand rain is perhaps an overly obvious metaphor for sorrow and renewal. Clearly David's mother suffered from deep psychological problems that she inherited from her own mother who may exceed even her in terms of being psychotic.

In my mind what David Small lacks is a hook, something to differentiate himself from the sea of alternative comic artists out there. When I think of alternative artists who stand apart I think of Jim Woodring or Cathy Malkasian or `Kaz'. I've really enjoyed Chris Ware in the past and consider him a genius but I finally had to stop reading his books because they are just too darn depressing. Stitches may be even more depressing because unlike Chris Ware's stories this one is non fiction. The final two pages of the book include actual photos of David Small, his mother and his father. His father isn't nearly the villain his mother is but he won't be winning any father or the year awards. I liked that the readers were given a chance to see the real people behind the characters of the story. I'm not sure if Mr. Small chose the photos of himself and his mother but his is definitely an unflattering selection.

So the big question is do you want to be a part of David Small very public yet personal psychological therapy? I congratulate him for having the courage to open up but I can't lie and say that I was riveted in reading about his worst childhood traumas. The art is quite good but despite his technical competence I never felt like Mr. Small found a way to distinguish himself from other alternative artists. Stitches is in no way bad but it's unlikely I'll remember it much past the completion of this review.