An Age of License by Lucy Knisley
Review by Lauren
source: copy from library; all opinions are my own
Official Summary: Acclaimed
cartoonist Lucy Knisley (French Milk, Relish) got an opportunity that
most only dream of: a travel-expenses-paid trip to Europe/Scandinavia,
thanks to a book tour. An Age of License is Knisley’s comics travel
memoir recounting her charming (and romantic!) adventures.
cartoonist Lucy Knisley (French Milk, Relish) got an opportunity that
most only dream of: a travel-expenses-paid trip to Europe/Scandinavia,
thanks to a book tour. An Age of License is Knisley’s comics travel
memoir recounting her charming (and romantic!) adventures.
It’s
punctuated by whimsical visual devices (such as a “new experiences”
funnel); peppered with the cute cats she meets along the way; and, of
course, features her hallmark—drawings and descriptions of food that
will make your mouth water. But it’s not all kittens and raclette
crepes: Knisley’s experiences are colored by anxieties, introspective
self-inquiries, and quotidian revelations—about traveling alone in
unfamiliar countries, and about her life and career—that many young
adults will relate to.
punctuated by whimsical visual devices (such as a “new experiences”
funnel); peppered with the cute cats she meets along the way; and, of
course, features her hallmark—drawings and descriptions of food that
will make your mouth water. But it’s not all kittens and raclette
crepes: Knisley’s experiences are colored by anxieties, introspective
self-inquiries, and quotidian revelations—about traveling alone in
unfamiliar countries, and about her life and career—that many young
adults will relate to.
Review:
I have read Knisley’s graphic memoir Relish and immediately fell in
love with her whimsical drawings and fun stories. When I saw An Age of
License at the library, I knew I had to check it out. This is one of
those books that you can easily read in a day, but it’s also something
to look back on and ponder. Knisley is growing up and dealing with big
decisions in her life.
I have read Knisley’s graphic memoir Relish and immediately fell in
love with her whimsical drawings and fun stories. When I saw An Age of
License at the library, I knew I had to check it out. This is one of
those books that you can easily read in a day, but it’s also something
to look back on and ponder. Knisley is growing up and dealing with big
decisions in her life.
This
book chronicles a trip to Europe, where she talks about the food and
the fun she had, but she also thinks about her relationships and her
career. She is lucky to have a job she loves, where she can draw and
create stories, but it’s not always easy and there is always the fear of
‘what comes next?’ At the same time, everyone needs to live their life
for them, go on adventures, fall in and out of love, and
essentially…give yourself license to experience the world before truly
settling down.
book chronicles a trip to Europe, where she talks about the food and
the fun she had, but she also thinks about her relationships and her
career. She is lucky to have a job she loves, where she can draw and
create stories, but it’s not always easy and there is always the fear of
‘what comes next?’ At the same time, everyone needs to live their life
for them, go on adventures, fall in and out of love, and
essentially…give yourself license to experience the world before truly
settling down.
 |
| source |
I
refer to this book as a graphic memoir but it doesn’t look like a
traditional graphic novel. Instead, the book is full of colored
drawings, with a story weaved around it in a scrapbook style. Reading
Knisley’s books make me wish I had the ability to draw so I could
capture moments in my life the way she does.
refer to this book as a graphic memoir but it doesn’t look like a
traditional graphic novel. Instead, the book is full of colored
drawings, with a story weaved around it in a scrapbook style. Reading
Knisley’s books make me wish I had the ability to draw so I could
capture moments in my life the way she does.
In
all, I know that I will read more by Knisley. She currently has two
other graphic memoirs that I must read (French Milk, Displacement).
all, I know that I will read more by Knisley. She currently has two
other graphic memoirs that I must read (French Milk, Displacement).
I am a big fan of graphic novels, but haven't read anything by this author. I will have to look her up! The style sounds fabulous. So glad to hear you enjoyed this one! 🙂
~Jess
I still need to read any of Knisley's books! They sound so good.
This sounds like a super fun read, I like the sound of how different it sounds from a graphic novel, but how it still ended up working for you! 🙂
Yet to take the plunge and actually read a graphic novel this sounds like it could be an ideal introduction given your comment that it doesn't particularly look like the traditional graphic novel.
This just looks fun. What a nice way to make a memoir memorable…. bad pun intended 🙂
LOL at Heidi, but I agree, what a fun way to do it. Glad you enjoyed this, I do love the drawings!
Hmm yeah, I was going to say that this doesn't look like any graphic novel I've ever seen, and I can see why you would call it a graphic memoir. Not that that's a bad thing, if you got a lot out of it! Her illustrations are cute 🙂
I haven't heard of Lucy Knisley but I am interested! Even the idea of a graphic memoir just sounds so fun, it reminds me a little of Hyperbole and a Half although this is definitely different.
I love reading about trips/holidays, so that would be really fun, and such a unique style to tell a memoir. 🙂
I rarely find myself coveting a graphic novel, but I'm dying to get my hands on this one – it looks fab for summer reading!
xx
I'm not usually big on memoirs, but a graphic memoir sounds like lots of fun – and this one sounds like it has a particularly interesting style!
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I love graphic novels so much! Thanks for sharing!!
Baci,
Coco et La vie en rose – Valeria Arizzi
This sounds like such a fun read – where do you find such interesting books? Great review!
I love graphic novels, and this sounds really good!
This looks like fun, and while graphics aren't my thing I know some who love them and will share your recommendation
I'll probably enjoy this one, I like a lot graphic novels about real life.
I'm not much for memoirs or travel journals, but the way you describe this book sounds fascinating! Thanks for sharing!
A graphic memoir sounds innovative! And something that I could easily get into. Thanks for putting this on my radar!
Looks like a fun book, thanks for sharing. 🙂
This one looks charming and venturesome! I wouldn't mind travelling through Europe with a quirky protagonist 😉
I love graphic novels and this one looks fabulous! A great read this summer for my teen daughter and I, thanks for sharing!
I loved Relish sooo much!! So I am excited to read this one too. I am glad to read that the drawing are in color since the ones you show are in black and white. I love the color in Relish!