French Milk
Lucy Knisley
2008
188 pages
I was trying to sell Heather on French Milk the other night. This is what I said:
French Milk is a graphic memoir written (drawn?) by a young artist who spends 6 weeks in Paris with her mom. It’s about what they saw and ate, but also about her fear of the future and her guilt over being depressed while in Paris.
I’m not sure if I was successful in convincing Heather to read it, but I’ve pretty much foisted my copy on her.
For those of you who are skeptical about graphic novel novels, I think this one would ease you into them gently. While I loved Persepolis, all of the panels did get a bit overwhelming. French Milk, on the other hand, only has one panel per page. The drawings are in more of a cartoon style, making them fun to look at, and the text is almost like reading bits of a diary. And Knisley is honest about what she is feeling…her panic over the what the future holds, how she misses her boyfriend, and how she lusts over French milk. It’s a refreshing change from the “I went to Paris and everything was swell” approach to travel writing.
I loved this memoir! It made me want to jump on the next plane and go back to Europe . . . with my mom!
Beth F´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday (December 2)
That’s the problem with reading travel memoirs…I end up lusting after Europe!
softdrink´s last blog ..French Milk
I really want to read this one!
Amanda´s last blog ..November in Review
You should!
I am ashamed to admit that I had no idea this was a graphic novel until reading your review! I am pretty sure you’ve convinced me to read it
Stephanie´s last blog ..Book Review: The Jade Cat
I had read a few reviews of it, too, before I caught on to the fact that it was a graphic novel.
softdrink´s last blog ..French Milk
I love Paris and I love graphic novels. I’m sold.
Sakura´s last blog ..Graceling by Kristin Cashore
I love London more.
softdrink´s last blog ..French Milk
I would like to try a few graphic novels and this one does sound good. Candace got me started with a Nancy Drew, but I will be looking to read some others
Nicole´s last blog ..2009 Virtual Advent Tour: Day 2 ~ O Holy Night
This would make an excellent choice!
softdrink´s last blog ..French Milk
You DID convince me to read it, don’t worry. I’ll be on the lookout for the package and try to read it right away. No guarantee I’m doing to like it … but I WILL read it. And thanks for sending it to me!
Heather J.´s last blog ..Christmas Books on My TBR List
I sent it Sunday, so it should be arriving soon!
softdrink´s last blog ..French Milk
I just read this and plan to post my review tomorrow! I really enjoyed it too.
Kathy´s last blog ..Wondrous Words Wednesday
I can’t wait to read your thoughts!
I’ve had this one in my sights for a while but have yet to take the dive into graphic novels. I got to I got to I got to!
She´s last blog ..November Wrap Up!
This would make the perfect starter graphic novel!
What a timely post as I’m soon going to be dipping my toes into the graphic novel pond! I’ll keep this one in mind, thanks!
Aarti´s last blog ..Review: Fingersmith
Good luck…graphic novels can be fun!
I want to check this one out, but I’m also kinda hesitant. I bet I would get annoyed because it seems awfully self-indulgent. Woohoo, good for you, you lived in Paris for 6 weeks and get to tell us every little thing you saw and consumed and we get to hear about your “problems.” It’s not very substantive, and it seems more like blog content, not something that should be published.
I mentioned wanting to read this and someone suggested CARNET DE VOYAGE by Craig Thompson as a better graphic travelogue.
Kari´s last blog ..Review & GIVEAWAY: Totally killer, dude
She is pretty self-absorbed (there was one section about the reaction to the emails she got from home that was particularly annoying), but overall it was refreshing. It didn’t read like a blog at all, though. I just started Wife in the North the other day (not a graphic novel, but based on a blog) and ugh…I don’t think I can finish for that very reason of it reading like a blog.
I’ll have to check out Carnet de Voyage…thanks!
J’ai deux amours: a Paris et Paris.
This sounds great!
heidenkind´s last blog ..Harry Potter and the Review of Unnecessarily In-Depth Analysis
I really liked this one, too…so glad I ‘discovered’ graphic novels!
JoAnn´s last blog ..Christmas Stories for December
I’m one of those who have never read a graphic novel. I did read some decent reviews on this one though.
diane´s last blog ..Waiting on Wednesday – The Endless Forest
I like the idea of this one but graphic novels… errrr…they don’t do it for me. Now, if they made a graphic novel of Moby Dick I’d probably give that a shot.
Ti´s last blog ..Review: In a Perfect World
This has been on my wish list since Beth Fish’s review … thanks for the reminder. And, I finally did read PERSEPOLIS last week; I’m enjoying the graphic format for a change of pace.
Dawn – She is Too Fond of Books´s last blog ..Children’s Book Review: *Leah’s Pony* by Elizabeth Friedrich
I’ve told my husband I want this one for Christmas. Keeping my fingers crossed
Stacy´s last blog ..The Jane Austen Book Club- 2007 movie
I haven’t read too many travel memoirs even less graphic novels but this does sound interesting.
Ladytink_534´s last blog ..This’ll Be the Day That Someone Dies
I really want to get to a graphical novel some day soon! I think this one will be just what i need!
Veens´s last blog ..Saturday Quotes!
I keep checking the library for this, I think that it would be a great intro to graphic novels. So far, no dice.
Lisa´s last blog ..November Wrap Up and the Rest of the Year (TSS)