:: Quiche of the Day comix reviews::

Ghost World

Catcher in the Rye was OK. I mean, I understand the whole �classic novel� thing, and I understand its social commentary, but it just didn�t do much for me. That said, I really liked Ghost World.
I haven�t seen the movie yet; I actually bought a pre-movie version of the TPB because it was marked down, so I can�t comment there, but the graphic novel is really good. Enid and Becky are best friends and loners facing their first summer after high school. Much like Holden Caufield, they aimlessly drift through their hometown, which they view sometimes in delight, and sometimes in disgust, as a freak-show. They�re more self-aware than Holden, and actually have an external conflict to deal with � growing up. They hate the pretension of high school and adolescence, but don�t know how to function in the absence of former and the immanent departure of the latter.
Also unlike Catcher in the Rye, Ghost World has two protagonists; Becky and Enid not only have to come to terms with themselves, but also how they deal with each other. The comic paints their relationship as a remarkably complex one, but still manages to deliver a satisfying and believable conclusion. Though the story seems to follow a rather aimless and episodic plot structure at first, as the summer (and the comic), draws to a close, the girls are forced to make decisions, something they�re markedly unprepared for. Most of the action doesn�t take place until the last two chapters, but the rest of the book builds up to that point. Clowes amazingly manages to tie up all the tiny plot threads without making them forced or contrived, and in the end proves that he knew where he was going all along.

written and illustrated by Dan Clowes. published by fantagraphics books

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