Finished: 07/15/09

Satisfaction: 10 out of 10

My thoughts November 2008: Another uncomfortable play.  I'm really looking forward to this one, as we get to watch a married couple fight, I mean really attack each other deep down.  I suppose most of us like to be the voyeur when there's a scandal going on that doesn't involve us, but there's something wrong with me in addition.  I've always enjoyed movies and scenes where the long-together couple has the necessary arguments and deep discussions about their relationship, who they really are, where they're going.  I'm probably one of the only people who saw The Story of Us and didn't demand their money back.  I don't know how this play ends, but it doesn't sound good.  Like I said before, I enjoy doses of raw, gritty reality in between my escapist fantasy, cookie cutter romance, lofty epics, etc., basically all that stuff suitable for the masses.  Plus, the movie keeps calling to me, and I refuse to watch it until I've checked this one off.

My thoughts now: Well, unfortunately the big shocking ending was not.  They telegraphed it the whole play.  In fact, as the last act was crescendoing, I thought of a huge shocker that honestly blew my mind, and I hoped that was where we were going, but alas, no.  That's probably my only complaint, and it's more of a complaint with the book jacket than the play; the play didn't promise a shocking ending.  I absolutely loved the flavor: the married couple who are still together (and always will be) but who have clearly given up on each other, the way that marital life is described as "these games we play," the discomfort of the couple's guests.  It's all gold, I love almost every line of dialogue.  It reminds me of one of my favorite lines in film, which I believe I mention elsewhere in my 100 books.  In We Don't Live Here Anymore, the child asks the father if he and Mommy are getting divorced, and the father realizes in the light of morn, more clearly than the fierce night before, "No, that was just... grownup nonsense."  Some of the lines in the fights (and when they're not fighting, they're fighting) were hilarious too.  Altogether it's a very funny book, a very clever book, but very ugly.  I love the economy of characters and setting: 4 characters, 2 names, 1 house.  The movie messes around a bit and takes the characters and scenes on a tour of the town, but it's unnecessary.  This was a very worthwhile read and the most satisfying on my list so far.  I read it in a day, which is nothing to brag about, but this and Shopgirl actually let me sink my teeth into something for a while and have kicked some of the rust off my reading gears.

Finished: 05/31/09

Satisfaction: 7 out of 10

My thoughts November 2008: I love Alan Moore, and I love political rebellion.  The overthrowing of a corrupt or inherently unjust government is a really cool theme for me.  Artistic rebellion sounds even better.  Moore is very smart politically, so this one should be a real treat.  Even though Watchmen is supposed to be his masterpiece, I'll probably prefer V for the subject matter.  I heard that cool quote from the movie ad, something like "People should not be afraid of their government.  Government should be afraid of its people," and to be honest I've been pretty psyched ever since.  I've refused to catch the film before reading the book, though.  Some I do, some I don't.  Depends how likely it seems I'll be able to get through the book anytime soon.  So, all in all, this could end up being one of my very favorite comics.  All of the graphic novels on this list, that I have not read, are here for very good reasons, and should end up being some of my favorites.

My thoughts now: This one was not quite what I had hoped, but it was impressive.  What starts as a juicy and violent revenge tale soon slows and then drags for the last two thirds.  There is some okay political philosophy in there, but just not quite of the flavor I wanted.  The whole thing tastes kind of "off" the whole time.  There is a mystery that goes intentionally unrevealed at the end, adding to what is already an anticlimax.  This isn't necessarily a bad thing, though, it's what Moore wanted.  This is more of an "enjoy the ride" story than a "just you wait until the end makes this all worth it" story.  In point of fact, the climax is in the middle, where I was shocked by possibly the best twist in all of dystopian literature.  I'm very glad I got around to this one, but I sure won't read it again anytime soon, and I'm left wondering how many of these graphic novels I'm supposed to love are going to turn out just okay.