In the Beginning, There Was Chaos: For Better or For Worse 2nd Treasury

For Better or For Worse Treasury

by Lynn Johnston

Return to where the Patterson family began inside this second treasury of For Better or For Worse. The first treasury, Something Old, Something New, (December 2010), has already shipped more than 17,000 copies.As its title suggests, First, There Was Chaos follows John and Elly Patterson as they tackle the everyday joys and sorrows—and surprises and frustrations and challenges—that arise when raising a young family. In her second For Better or For Worse treasury, Lynn Johnston takes readers back to the 1980s, when Elly leaves her ho for a job at the library. As Elly chases her professional goals, she struggles with spending less time at home. Meanwhile, John provides consistent comic relief, as he plays Mr. Mom, breaks his foot with a 25-pound turkey, and gets arrested for trying to steal a potty. Of course, the kids are always in tow—Michael learning that with age comes responsibility and Elizabeth discovering the thrills of kindergarten. Combining strips from Johnston’s fourth, fifth, and sixth cartoon collections—Just One More Hug, The Last Straw, and Keep the Home Fries Burning—First, There Was Chaos reflects Johnston’s longstanding tradition of portraying family life with charm, humor, and honesty. Devoted fans will love reliving the Pattersons’ younger years, and first-time readers will discover why this endearing foursome is North America’s favorite funny page family.It takes a keen eye to recognize life’s shared experiences and an even keener intellect to assemble those moments in a humorous and heartfelt way. With For Better or For Worse, Johnston elevates everyday aspects of life into brilliant observations on personal career goals, parenting choices, and coffee klatch friendships. In 2008, Johnston made an unprecedented move within the cartooning community by deciding to use former plotlines as starting points for new ones. For Better or For Worse has been syndicated since 1979 and was named Best Syndicated Comic Strip in 1992. For Better or For Worse appears in more than 1,600 newspapers in 23 countries, and is translated into 8 languages for a devoted readership of more than 220 million. The strip boasts a lively Web presence at www.fborfw.com.

As its title implies, In the Beginning There Was Chaos follows John and Elly Patterson as they tackle the everyday joys and sorrows--and surprises and frustrations and challenges--that arise when raising a young family. In her second For Better or For Worse treasury, Lynn Johnston takes readers back to the 1980s, when Elly leaves her column for a job at the library. As Elly chases her professional goals, she struggles with spending less time at home. Meanwhile, John provides consistent comic relief, as he plays Mr. Mom, breaks his foot with a 25-pound turkey, and gets arrested for trying to steal a potty. Of course, the kids are always in tow--Michael learning that with age comes responsibility and Elizabeth discovering the thrills of kindergarten.

Combining strips from Johnston's fourth, fifth, and sixth cartoon collections-- Just One More Hug , The Last Straw , and Keep the Home Fries Burning -- In the Beginning There Was Chaos reflects Johnston's longstanding tradition of portraying family life with charm, humor, and honesty. Devoted fans will love reliving the Pattersons' younger years, and first-time readers will discover why this endearing foursome is North America's favorite funny page family.

In the Beginning There Was Chaos includes Johnston's commentary on the inspiration behind strips, as well as photos and newspaper clippings from the early days, providing a behind-the-scenes glimpse for fans of For Better or For Worse . Join the Patterson family as they find humor in everyday life's challenges.

Lynn Johnston was born in Collingwood, Ontario, and grew up in British Columbia. Today, she lives in Corbeil, Ontario. Johnston is the first woman to receive a Reuben Award for Cartoonist of the Year by the National Cartoonists Society in 1985. She has also received the Order of Canada and claims a star on Canada's Walk of Fame.

For Better or For Worse has been syndicated since 1979 and was named Best Syndicated Comic Strip in 1992. For Better or For Worse appears in more than 2,000 newspapers in 23 countries, and is translated into 8 languages for a devoted readership of more than 220 million. The strip boasts a lively Web presence at www.fborfw.com.

Genres: Comics, Humor

416 pages, Hardcover

First published October 25, 2011

About the author

Lynn Johnston CM OM is a Canadian cartoonist, well known for her comic strip For Better or For Worse, and was the first female cartoonist to win the Reuben Award.

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 39/52 for 2022. I loved this anthology a little less than the first as the stories by Lynn Johnston were more personal in nature and focused less on how she created the Patterson family. I felt the first anthology was more balanced in that department. Eventually I stopped reading the stories and focused on the strips and they are truly fantastic. Now on to the third anthology! (I checked out four from the library so I have two more to get through before their due dates).

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

These collections are so much fun to read. They have a lot of Johnston's comments about the drawings she did, and the reader mail she received.

I enjoy her characters and even laughed out loud at some of these strips. I'm enjoying this trip down memory lane.

(John is still a little sexist and annoying)

[Namitha Varma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful series of cartoons by Lynn Johnston. I discovered this accidentally while googling for something totally unconnected.
All the characters are so identifiable and lovable. The strip is both funny and emotional. Reminds one of Calvin & Hobbes at times.

[Sarah Jowett · Rating 5 out of 5]

FABULOUS, must-have book for For Better or For Worse fans!!!

[Gabrielle Nadeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. The strips combined with Johnson's comments and photos has made this book a true jewel . Made me nostalgic about my family life.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read these books to remind me that someday all the "choas" at my home will be gone and I will actually miss these days...... someday ! hahahaha