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Apr 05, 2009 karen rated it really liked it

well well well...jeffrey brown is all growed up now! this book is all glossy and fancy... and very little about saddish relationships! this one is more about art and "finding oneself" as an artist , but in a way that isnt melodramatic and self-aggrandizing, which is refreshing. (from an artist, not from jeffrey brown - i dont think he has ever been self-aggrandizing in his life)so a big thumbs-up, especially to the little wooden shoe store, and the artist with the pinata. and paul hornschemeier! well well well...jeffrey brown is all growed up now! this book is all glossy and fancy... and very little about saddish relationships! this one is more about art and "finding oneself" as an artist , but in a way that isnt melodramatic and self-aggrandizing, which is refreshing. (from an artist, not from jeffrey brown - i dont think he has ever been self-aggrandizing in his life)so a big thumbs-up, especially to the little wooden shoe store, and the artist with the pinata. and paul hornschemeier!! ...more

Sep 11, 2013 Sam Quixote rated it really liked it

I've known about Jeffrey Brown's comics for a while now and while I've read his more recent stuff like the Cat books and the excellent Star Wars stuff, I stayed away from his autobio comics for some reason - I suppose reading about failed relationships isn't really my thing. But I decided to pick up Funny, Misshapen Body as it was about other things in Brown's life. It's a memoir about his childhood, Crohn's disease, about his job working in a crafts store, about university life and the associat I've known about Jeffrey Brown's comics for a while now and while I've read his more recent stuff like the Cat books and the excellent Star Wars stuff, I stayed away from his autobio comics for some reason - I suppose reading about failed relationships isn't really my thing. But I decided to pick up Funny, Misshapen Body as it was about other things in Brown's life. It's a memoir about his childhood, Crohn's disease, about his job working in a crafts store, about university life and the associated drink and drugs, going to art school, and getting into comics.

Each of these aspects are done episodically with some being more interesting than others but all of them being very solid, entertaining stories. Reading about his difficult childhood after being diagnosed with Crohn's - an incurable, inflammatory bowel disease - was pretty funny at first as he was unable to control his farting at inappropriate times, but it got so bad he need hospitalisation and an operation. It's a quietly moving episode made all the more poignant in the way the very young Brown tries to be upbeat and jokey despite obviously being in a lot of pain.

I really enjoyed reading about his experiences at art school as his interests moved away from painting and poetry and slowly shifted to comics. Brown tells us his comics history, going to the comics shop as a kid with his brother and receiving indie titles from the store owner as presents once a year in lieu of the Marvel superheroes he constantly read. One of these authors - Yoshihiro Tatsumi - would influence Brown in this book as each story begins with a page-length illustrated title page in the style of Tatsumi.

(And as a side note, if you've never heard of Yoshihiro Tatsumi, the man is an extraordinary artist every comics fan should read. I mean it, if you've never read anything by him, seek him out immediately - his books are AMAZING. I'll recommend his incredible autobiography A Drifting Life as the best but Tatsumi has never drawn/written a bad book so anything by him is worth reading)

Funny Misshapen Body is a consistently amusing, wry, and delightful selection of comics that's a highly enjoyable reading experience.

...more

Oct 14, 2009 Malbadeen rated it really liked it

My brother gave this to me for Christmas. Yeah my brother.

One of the many things I like about Jeffrey Brown's biographical stuff is that it is not chronologically re-called. He divides it into categories like, "my job at the shoe factory" or "girlfriends" or "college". It matches my brain.

Yeah Jeffrey Brown.

Also he doesn't over play things that could easily be over played. He doesn't play the ironic nerd or dwell on things that could be elaborated to pathetic. He just recalls them.

Yeah for bei

My brother gave this to me for Christmas. Yeah my brother.

One of the many things I like about Jeffrey Brown's biographical stuff is that it is not chronologically re-called. He divides it into categories like, "my job at the shoe factory" or "girlfriends" or "college". It matches my brain.

Yeah Jeffrey Brown.

Also he doesn't over play things that could easily be over played. He doesn't play the ironic nerd or dwell on things that could be elaborated to pathetic. He just recalls them.

Yeah for being real in your perception of yourself.

...more

Jun 09, 2016 Sooraya Evans rated it did not like it

Overall boring.
The author's life aspects aren't that interesting.
Overall boring.
The author's life aspects aren't that interesting.
...more

Oct 27, 2020 Isabell rated it liked it

"After moving to Chicago, the first thing to do was find a coffeehouse to draw at ..." (p. 249) Haha. (;

Usually I rate graphic novels with three stars, simply as a matter of principle but in regard to the last third especially I felt a connection to what he must have been feeling at that stage in his life, or at least that is what I understood he did. That is why here would be four stars ... if I could get over myself.

I think it is admirable that his Crohn's disease did not affect him much. Yes,

"After moving to Chicago, the first thing to do was find a coffeehouse to draw at ..." (p. 249) Haha. (;

Usually I rate graphic novels with three stars, simply as a matter of principle but in regard to the last third especially I felt a connection to what he must have been feeling at that stage in his life, or at least that is what I understood he did. That is why here would be four stars ... if I could get over myself.

I think it is admirable that his Crohn's disease did not affect him much. Yes, sure, after being treated he did not suffer another episode but uh, you get my drift.

The characters he draws do not have a lot of recognition value. On the other hand, it is easy to understand what he wants to convey and that's what counts.

There were things I couldn't relate to, for example I never smoked much and never had entertained any debauched life style during my years in uni. So far.

What spoke to me is that he took some time (?) to figure out his life and that he succeeded to become a successful artist! It makes me want to create more art as well.

...more

Really nice that the book explains it's own process by the end of it, and lovely how humble the entire thing is, not self depricating but just really not showy either. The whole thing strikes a relatable midground, and it all flows reasonably well. I don't want to overanaylse it too much because I'd be worried about sounding like one of Jeffrey Brown's art lecturers and I hate the idea of this guy reading his own reviews on Goodreads and getting annoyed, the three star rating is mainly because I Really nice that the book explains it's own process by the end of it, and lovely how humble the entire thing is, not self depricating but just really not showy either. The whole thing strikes a relatable midground, and it all flows reasonably well. I don't want to overanaylse it too much because I'd be worried about sounding like one of Jeffrey Brown's art lecturers and I hate the idea of this guy reading his own reviews on Goodreads and getting annoyed, the three star rating is mainly because I don't like it as much as Chester Brown.... but on the scale of independent, crudely drawn comics this is alright. ...more

Feb 06, 2011 Idleprimate rated it really liked it

Funny Misshapen Body delivered not just the Brown I love, but a more mature and reflective Brown. A balance of stories, in his usual anti-chronological way that swirl together to create a full novelistic image of people, places and developments, working with new themes, and yet tied to the old and magnifying the scope of his storytelling.

There's also a greater range in the artwork, combining the early simple scrawl with the burdened later ink. We see the rest of Brown's protagonist's life (I re

Funny Misshapen Body delivered not just the Brown I love, but a more mature and reflective Brown. A balance of stories, in his usual anti-chronological way that swirl together to create a full novelistic image of people, places and developments, working with new themes, and yet tied to the old and magnifying the scope of his storytelling.

There's also a greater range in the artwork, combining the early simple scrawl with the burdened later ink. We see the rest of Brown's protagonist's life (I realize that is cumbersome, but I differentiate between an author and his alter ego): his childhood experiences, his life with art, his schooling, a troubled medical history, his jobs, his solo adventures. We see the Brown who isn't simply hung up on a girl. And it is captivating.

All of brown's stories always have to do with a shortlist of topics—loneliness, connection, love affairs, struggle and confusion, strife and understanding. His recent stories paint a vivid portrait of the young man as an artist rather than the artist as a young man and that has added a dimension to the tale.

...more

Sep 03, 2010 Sharon rated it really liked it

It is certainly to Jeffrey Brown's credit that he can critically examine the most embarrassing details of his life and share them on paper in what appears to be a refreshingly honest way. And the fact that those details are about his anxieties creating art and finding his artistic path seem to speak almost to an older and wiser Brown than his stories about early relationships.

I really enjoyed seeing Brown's evolution as an artist, his challenges with binge drinking and Crohn's Disease, and his a

It is certainly to Jeffrey Brown's credit that he can critically examine the most embarrassing details of his life and share them on paper in what appears to be a refreshingly honest way. And the fact that those details are about his anxieties creating art and finding his artistic path seem to speak almost to an older and wiser Brown than his stories about early relationships.

I really enjoyed seeing Brown's evolution as an artist, his challenges with binge drinking and Crohn's Disease, and his acceptance with the kind of art he does best, which is honest, crude, and autobiographical. I think one can't helped but get sucked into his story, it's just so genuine. As an added bonus, I shared something in common with Brown in that Chris Ware and Daniel Clowes really changed the way I saw real life reflected in comics, and I loved the story of his ongoing mentorship with Chris Ware. I'm glad Brown is doing this type of work now.

...more

Apr 04, 2015 Dov Zeller rated it really liked it

I'm a big fan of Jeffrey Brown's conversational comic style. He addresses his relationship with art, love, friendship, body, in a way that is meandering and yet circles back again and again to the things that are most important to him: authentic self-expression, authentic connection, self-understanding with a great helping of compassionate humor. I especially enjoyed the stories in here about art school, comics, and his work giving shoes crafty tattoos. But as per usual, I appreciated all of the I'm a big fan of Jeffrey Brown's conversational comic style. He addresses his relationship with art, love, friendship, body, in a way that is meandering and yet circles back again and again to the things that are most important to him: authentic self-expression, authentic connection, self-understanding with a great helping of compassionate humor. I especially enjoyed the stories in here about art school, comics, and his work giving shoes crafty tattoos. But as per usual, I appreciated all of them. ...more

Mar 30, 2015 Kricket rated it liked it

(useless thought): maybe i saw jeffrey brown at the wooden shoe factory when i was growing up/ klompen dancing and DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IT. (useless thought): maybe i saw jeffrey brown at the wooden shoe factory when i was growing up/ klompen dancing and DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IT. ...more

Jun 05, 2022 Patrick McG rated it really liked it

At one point he mentions working at a wooden shoe factory in passing and I was ready to be mad about that, but later he does a whole chapter on the wooden shoe factory so that's good.

I kept thinking that this comic took place in Canada. Because my friend with Crohn's disease is from Canada, and a lot of good autobiographical comics about normal white guys doing normal white guy stuff come out of the Montreal scene, and because it takes place in Michigan mostly which is a lot like Canada when you

At one point he mentions working at a wooden shoe factory in passing and I was ready to be mad about that, but later he does a whole chapter on the wooden shoe factory so that's good.

I kept thinking that this comic took place in Canada. Because my friend with Crohn's disease is from Canada, and a lot of good autobiographical comics about normal white guys doing normal white guy stuff come out of the Montreal scene, and because it takes place in Michigan mostly which is a lot like Canada when you think about it.

But I never once thought that it takes place in Holland, even though there's a wooden shoe factory.

Really makes you think.

...more

Jul 27, 2017 Greg rated it liked it

I thought this was okay. It was most successful in the beginning, detailing the author's childhood bought with Crohn's. The story of how he became a comic was interesting but not nearly as emotionally compelling as some of his other work. Understanding a bit about his technique and where it comes from does but is work in perspective for me, though. I thought this was okay. It was most successful in the beginning, detailing the author's childhood bought with Crohn's. The story of how he became a comic was interesting but not nearly as emotionally compelling as some of his other work. Understanding a bit about his technique and where it comes from does but is work in perspective for me, though. ...more

This is now my favorite JB autobio book. It focuses on his development and evolution as an artist and comic strip writer and describes his experiences with drugs, drinking, and relationships during college and art school. And I found out what pen he uses to draw with. Very nice book. I never misplaced my attention.

I'll give it to the guy. I'm sure some people enjoyed this. It wasn't the worst thing ever, I was just bored. The artistry didn't intrigue me and the plot was all over the place. He explains this in the end and in his Q & A section (I skipped ahead, I didn't read past chapter one). I don't want to rate it lower than this because it's probably a decent book, but it just didn't hold up for me.

Feb 24, 2021 Brian Rosser rated it really liked it

The pages of this book are filled with honest sounding observations from Jeffrey Brown's life as a budding cartoonist, from his youthful obsession with superheros through High School, Community College and Graduate School. All illustrated in his scratchy direct style. His willingness to share his personal struggles both personal and physical make this worth reading. The pages of this book are filled with honest sounding observations from Jeffrey Brown's life as a budding cartoonist, from his youthful obsession with superheros through High School, Community College and Graduate School. All illustrated in his scratchy direct style. His willingness to share his personal struggles both personal and physical make this worth reading. ...more

Jul 23, 2018 Liz Decker rated it it was amazing

Love Jeffrey's style. Easy to read short bits of stories that don't need to say a whole lot. Love Jeffrey's style. Easy to read short bits of stories that don't need to say a whole lot. ...more

Jun 18, 2017 Kelly rated it really liked it

Interesting way to write an autobiography. Brown is talented.

Nov 10, 2015 Sam rated it really liked it

It was a cute book. I think my favorite part about it was how relatable it was since I'm an artist myself. I could feel a lot of the frustrations and challenges that the author was going through, along with the upsides.

For the most part, things were well done, understandable, and entertaining (aaand a little gross, haha). Parts of the artwork I feel could have been better, but I'd feel that that's nitpicking, it didn't really take away from the story. The handwriting, at times, was a little tric

It was a cute book. I think my favorite part about it was how relatable it was since I'm an artist myself. I could feel a lot of the frustrations and challenges that the author was going through, along with the upsides.

For the most part, things were well done, understandable, and entertaining (aaand a little gross, haha). Parts of the artwork I feel could have been better, but I'd feel that that's nitpicking, it didn't really take away from the story. The handwriting, at times, was a little tricky to read as it wasn't always crystal clear, so that was a bit of a bother.

My only other gripes were the beginning and the end. The opening felt rather abrupt, I personally prefer something more gradual to lead me in, but it wasn't too long before I became more immersed. As for the ending, a similar issue, it ends suddenly. (He does address that in the epilogue, which I found amusing. His reasoning was all right, but I still would've liked a bit more.)

Nevertheless though, I enjoyed it. I actually wasn't too bothered that it was told out of order, I feel like that added something to it and made it more unique. The humor was certainly there, the author did a good job making it feel like you were there along with him. (Man, those critiques at the university, I would've smacked those people, haha.) He made himself human and approachable, which I liked. I'm happy he was able to make a living doing what he loves.

I'd probably find myself recommending this, most likely to other artists, for obvious reasons. It was good, I'm glad I read it :)

...more

Jul 25, 2012 Jake rated it really liked it

I don't know if I've ever read a thoughtful book that was this "easy." This graphic novel memoir reads like you're catching up with an old friend. The story isn't linear. It's broken up by themes of disease, apartment, pot and varying levels and tales about art. It's very honest without being revealing. It's the memoir of a nice guy who wanted to be a cartoonist. He has supportive parents, he has nice friends, and he never battles any demons. It was just a swell story about a swell dude. There w I don't know if I've ever read a thoughtful book that was this "easy." This graphic novel memoir reads like you're catching up with an old friend. The story isn't linear. It's broken up by themes of disease, apartment, pot and varying levels and tales about art. It's very honest without being revealing. It's the memoir of a nice guy who wanted to be a cartoonist. He has supportive parents, he has nice friends, and he never battles any demons. It was just a swell story about a swell dude. There weren't harsh arcs. It was as humdrum as it could be, but it was well-crafted and interesting. I wanted to know what happened next, because Jeffrey Brown really made me like Jeffrey Brown without selling it or driving it home. You don't always get the history of the average guy trying to make it, because it's really easy to not be engaging, but that Jeffrey Brown seems like a nice boy. Also, his comic pacing and simple drawing style keeps you involved without hesitation. It was just "I did this, and then this happened, so I did this, but I wasn't always like this, one time I did this," and it's really fun to read. Nothing crazy, nothing tragic. Just a guy who wanted to be an artist, so he worked at it, little by little, and finally became one. Thumbs up, Mr. Brown. ...more

Jan 13, 2010 Ian Hrabe rated it really liked it

I didn't even know this existed until I stumbled upon a copy of it at Half Price Books. Like Little Things, Jeffrey Brown has realized that he can't write relationship books for the rest of his life and he's better for it. Well, I'm not sure about that, but it's a refreshing read and a great portrait of Jeffrey Brown as artist, his beginnings, and everything that led him to publishing excellent graphic novels (with just a couple exceptions). His art has improved a bunch, drawing influence from Y I didn't even know this existed until I stumbled upon a copy of it at Half Price Books. Like Little Things, Jeffrey Brown has realized that he can't write relationship books for the rest of his life and he's better for it. Well, I'm not sure about that, but it's a refreshing read and a great portrait of Jeffrey Brown as artist, his beginnings, and everything that led him to publishing excellent graphic novels (with just a couple exceptions). His art has improved a bunch, drawing influence from Yoshihiro Tatsumi (who is referenced in the book, artistically Tatsumi's influence is in the eyes) and David Heatley (in the profiles). Basically, Brown knows exactly how to cherry pick the most interesting parts of his pretty much totally normal existence. Which is an awesome quality, because this almost borders on being boring but at the rate he injects humor, it's pretty entertaining. And informative! Who knew a store specializing in all things Dutch existed??? ...more

Nov 10, 2014 Bob rated it really liked it

15 or more years younger than many of the people from the tradition in which he works (Dan Clowes et al), Brown is not quite a whole new generation but brings a bit of a millenial stance. This collection of autobiographical segments, in his characteristic "disarmingly honest" style, is probably at its most illuminating as he describes his undergraduate and graduate art education (the latter at the School of The Art Institute of Chicago). His account of his shift from being focused on more conven 15 or more years younger than many of the people from the tradition in which he works (Dan Clowes et al), Brown is not quite a whole new generation but brings a bit of a millenial stance. This collection of autobiographical segments, in his characteristic "disarmingly honest" style, is probably at its most illuminating as he describes his undergraduate and graduate art education (the latter at the School of The Art Institute of Chicago). His account of his shift from being focused on more conventional art world styles and people to embracing the graphic novel as his preferred form is an excellent portrait of the artist as a young man.
In one memorable conversation with a faculty advisor, asked how long he expects the story he is working on to be, he explains that since the sketchbook has 224 pages, it will be over when he fills it up. You can imagine she expresses some uncertainty about this as an organizing principle. ...more

Jul 07, 2015 Zack! Empire rated it really liked it

As someone who draws comics sometimes, I thought this was a really interesting idea for a comic: What life events have shaped you into being a cartoonist? I've liked Jeffery Brown's work since I first discovered it, but to be honest I was getting a bit tired of reading about his relationships. There are a lot of interesting things that happy to a person besides just interacting I with the opposite sex and I'm glad that Jeffrey is moving away from that.
I like his direct and honest approach of st As someone who draws comics sometimes, I thought this was a really interesting idea for a comic: What life events have shaped you into being a cartoonist? I've liked Jeffery Brown's work since I first discovered it, but to be honest I was getting a bit tired of reading about his relationships. There are a lot of interesting things that happy to a person besides just interacting I with the opposite sex and I'm glad that Jeffrey is moving away from that.
I like his direct and honest approach of storytelling. The thing wit autobio comics is that you can't oversell it. You just have to show what really happen and try to present yourself as you actually are, not as you'd like to be, and not as you'd like to be seen. Jeff does a good job at that.
This is a really good read and I would say that this comic could even be given to someone with no interest in the medium and they would still enjoy it. ...more

Apr 24, 2009 Luis Saavedra rated it it was amazing

I'd only read a few pages of Jeffrey Brown's page in anthologies like the Best American series. Reading his memoir Funny Misshapen Body, which is mainly focused on his love for comics and how he came to work in them, was truly a moving experience.

In these pages Brown recounts his first encounter with the world of sequential art, his growing interest in the medium, the ritual of visiting comic book stores, meeting comic book authors, drawing and the art-school environment. Intertwined we also ge

I'd only read a few pages of Jeffrey Brown's page in anthologies like the Best American series. Reading his memoir Funny Misshapen Body, which is mainly focused on his love for comics and how he came to work in them, was truly a moving experience.

In these pages Brown recounts his first encounter with the world of sequential art, his growing interest in the medium, the ritual of visiting comic book stores, meeting comic book authors, drawing and the art-school environment. Intertwined we also get a glimpse of his childhood experiences with his family, friends and crushes.

His drawing and writing style convey a surprisingly refreshing charm and unexpected humor. In a world filled with comics devoted to cynicism, Brown's ability to see the funny side of life is a much welcomed take on autobiographical graphic novels.

...more

Jun 14, 2009 Tania rated it really liked it

Jeffery Brown is one of my favorite cartoonists, and every time I've met him he's been really nice. His memoirs are witty, but also easy to connect to. In this one, he focuses on how he went from being an art grad who did "serious" paintings to a cartoonist. It's really interesting and made me realize that I don't take my writing as seriously as I should. I need to focus more on it, and work hard on it; he went through so many failures before he truly found his own craft and style. Finding your Jeffery Brown is one of my favorite cartoonists, and every time I've met him he's been really nice. His memoirs are witty, but also easy to connect to. In this one, he focuses on how he went from being an art grad who did "serious" paintings to a cartoonist. It's really interesting and made me realize that I don't take my writing as seriously as I should. I need to focus more on it, and work hard on it; he went through so many failures before he truly found his own craft and style. Finding your own style, I think, is one of the hardest things for any artist or writer. I highly recommend this book, as well as his old ones. When I first opened one of Brown's books and saw the style of drawing, I did not think I would like it or connect with it as much as I did. but...I did. ...more

Jun 16, 2010 Bill Doughty rated it really liked it

The creators of most autobiographical comics try so hard to Say Something Meaningful. They navelgaze, they pontificate, but mostly they try too damn hard. Jeffrey Brown's autobio comics, on the other hand, just tell simple stories about his life. If he's Trying To Say Something, it certainly doesn't come across that way, and if there's any Capital-M Meaning to be found, he leaves it to us to find it on our own. I appreciate that approach. I find it truly distasteful when a creator of any type of The creators of most autobiographical comics try so hard to Say Something Meaningful. They navelgaze, they pontificate, but mostly they try too damn hard. Jeffrey Brown's autobio comics, on the other hand, just tell simple stories about his life. If he's Trying To Say Something, it certainly doesn't come across that way, and if there's any Capital-M Meaning to be found, he leaves it to us to find it on our own. I appreciate that approach. I find it truly distasteful when a creator of any type of artform tries to tell me how brilliant he/she is. I think I'll make that decision for myself, thanks. ...more

Aug 01, 2016 Xilks rated it liked it

I don't really know how to review this book. It's not usually what I tend to read in the comic genre, it's more nonfiction than anything. It tells a story about the author, a memoir type format, though it's not in timeline order. The art style is simple, but easy to read and understand. It tells as much about the author as the actual selected stories in the book. I would say that is is worth a read, but the ending sort of leaves things unfinished. I understand that the chosen ending was for an e I don't really know how to review this book. It's not usually what I tend to read in the comic genre, it's more nonfiction than anything. It tells a story about the author, a memoir type format, though it's not in timeline order. The art style is simple, but easy to read and understand. It tells as much about the author as the actual selected stories in the book. I would say that is is worth a read, but the ending sort of leaves things unfinished. I understand that the chosen ending was for an effect in the piece, but I'm not sure how satisfied I feel with it. I suppose satisfied enough. But, it is what the author wants, a new door to the next part of his journey. ...more

Oct 05, 2009 Emilia P rated it really liked it

Finally, Jeff!
A reasonably coherent collection of stories that are actually about your life and not just about dames and help us understand how you got to where you are so you could tell all those stories about dames. Crohn's disease, college, working at the wooden shoe store, dabbling in drugs just a little bit. This is actually probably a great place to start on Jeff, so you don't feel quite so unanchored reading earlier stuff. Which, I guess, at this point might be worth a re-read. I'm still Finally, Jeff!
A reasonably coherent collection of stories that are actually about your life and not just about dames and help us understand how you got to where you are so you could tell all those stories about dames. Crohn's disease, college, working at the wooden shoe store, dabbling in drugs just a little bit. This is actually probably a great place to start on Jeff, so you don't feel quite so unanchored reading earlier stuff. Which, I guess, at this point might be worth a re-read. I'm still scared that they're too emo. ...more

Jan 07, 2010 Noam rated it did not like it

Recommended to Noam by: Ben

I think there are enough graphic-memoirs out there about white boys who can't get girlfriends. I don't understand why an art school graduate chose to draw in an uninteresting cartoony style. I liked the bit about dealing with customers at the shoe store, but for most of it, it seemed like he wasn't putting in that much effort, neither with the art, nor with the writing.

If you want to read a good graphic-memoir about a white boy with self-esteem issues, read

Blankets by Craig Thompson. I think there are enough graphic-memoirs out there about white boys who can't get girlfriends. I don't understand why an art school graduate chose to draw in an uninteresting cartoony style. I liked the bit about dealing with customers at the shoe store, but for most of it, it seemed like he wasn't putting in that much effort, neither with the art, nor with the writing.

If you want to read a good graphic-memoir about a white boy with self-esteem issues, read

Blankets by Craig Thompson. ...more

Jul 16, 2016 David Thomas rated it it was amazing

More autobio stuff from Jeffrey Brown, but the art is more polished, and the story is more of a comprehensive memoir and less just random moments. Additionally, there was much less spent on relationships and a lot more on his health and the process of evolution of his art. I could empathize with his bittersweet memories of drinking too much and smoking too much weed. The kind of thing that feels good at the time but in retrospect isn't harmless or something to be taken lightly. The art is still More autobio stuff from Jeffrey Brown, but the art is more polished, and the story is more of a comprehensive memoir and less just random moments. Additionally, there was much less spent on relationships and a lot more on his health and the process of evolution of his art. I could empathize with his bittersweet memories of drinking too much and smoking too much weed. The kind of thing that feels good at the time but in retrospect isn't harmless or something to be taken lightly. The art is still pretty sketchy but has definitely improved from his previous work. ...more

Jeffrey Brown was born in 1975 in Grand Rapids, Michigan and grew up reading comic books with dreams of someday drawing them, only to abandon them and focus on becoming a 'fine artist.' While earning his MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Brown abandoned painting and began drawing comics with his first autobiographical book 'Clumsy' in 2001. Since then he's drawn a dozen books fo Jeffrey Brown was born in 1975 in Grand Rapids, Michigan and grew up reading comic books with dreams of someday drawing them, only to abandon them and focus on becoming a 'fine artist.' While earning his MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Brown abandoned painting and began drawing comics with his first autobiographical book 'Clumsy' in 2001. Since then he's drawn a dozen books for publishers including TopShelf, Fantagraphics, Drawn & Quarterly, McSweeney's and Chronicle Books. Simon & Schuster published his latest graphic memoir 'Funny Misshapen Body.' In addition to directing an animated video for the band Death Cab For Cutie, Brown has had his work featured on NPR's 'This American Life' His art has been shown at galleries in New York, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles and Paris. Jeffrey's work has also appeared in the Best American Comics series and received the Ignatz Award in 2003 for 'Outstanding Minicomic.'
He currently lives in Chicago with his wife Jennifer and their son Oscar. ...more

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