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A + E 4ever
Asher Machnik is a teenage boy cursed with a beautiful androgynous face. Guys punch him, girls slag him and by high school he's developed an intense fear of being touched. Art remains his only escape from an otherwise emotionally empty life. Eulalie Mason is the lonely, tough-talking dyke from school who befriends Ash. The only one to see and accept all of his sides as a loner, a fellow artist and a best friend, she's starting to wonder if ash is ever going to see all of her.... a + e 4EVER is a graphic novel set in that ambiguous crossroads where love and friendship, boy and girl, straight and gay meet. It goes where few books have ventured, into genderqueer life, where affections aren't black and white. An honoree for the 2012 Stonewall Book Award - Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children's & Young Adult Literature Award given annually to English-language children's and young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience.
214 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2011
11 people are currently reading
2265 people want to read
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I. Merey
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 166 reviews
August 8, 2019
Intense, unhappy, honest and messy in a way I seldom see in fiction featuring teens.
I see some reviewers complained that the art is not polished, but I thought this style contributed positively to the overall effect of the novel, which feels as if it could have been drawn by one of the constantly sketching protagonists.
Also, an excellent soundtrack. I really liked that it was marked in the panels what was playing on the characters' headphones.
Playlist:
So unhappy I could die, Lady Gaga
Soy un perpador, Beck
Scentless apprentice, Nirvana
Unintended, Muse
Everything in its Right place, Radiohead
TV eye, Iggy Pop
Nancy Boy, Placebo
Mad World, Gary Jules
There's a light in my head that never goes out, The Smiths
Where is my mind, The Pixies
Jerk off, Tool
Standing outside a broken telephone booth, Primitive Radio Gods
Bliss, Muse
WTF, Ok Go
Moan, Trentmollers
Michael, Franz Ferdinand
Seven Nation Army, White Stripes
Think twice, Eve Six
NO one knows, Queens of the Stone Age
The Oooh ahh song, Gritz
Mother, Pink Floyd
Take me out, Rent
Take me out, Franz Ferdinand
Jerk it, Thunderheist
What's new, Pussycat, Tom Jones
All I need, Radiohead
Hooker with a penis, Tool
Planet telex, Radiohead
Kodachrome, Simon and Garfunkle
See ya baby, Groove Armada
Sorry you're not a winner, Enter Shikari
I see some reviewers complained that the art is not polished, but I thought this style contributed positively to the overall effect of the novel, which feels as if it could have been drawn by one of the constantly sketching protagonists.
Also, an excellent soundtrack. I really liked that it was marked in the panels what was playing on the characters' headphones.
Playlist:
So unhappy I could die, Lady Gaga
Soy un perpador, Beck
Scentless apprentice, Nirvana
Unintended, Muse
Everything in its Right place, Radiohead
TV eye, Iggy Pop
Nancy Boy, Placebo
Mad World, Gary Jules
There's a light in my head that never goes out, The Smiths
Where is my mind, The Pixies
Jerk off, Tool
Standing outside a broken telephone booth, Primitive Radio Gods
Bliss, Muse
WTF, Ok Go
Moan, Trentmollers
Michael, Franz Ferdinand
Seven Nation Army, White Stripes
Think twice, Eve Six
NO one knows, Queens of the Stone Age
The Oooh ahh song, Gritz
Mother, Pink Floyd
Take me out, Rent
Take me out, Franz Ferdinand
Jerk it, Thunderheist
What's new, Pussycat, Tom Jones
All I need, Radiohead
Hooker with a penis, Tool
Planet telex, Radiohead
Kodachrome, Simon and Garfunkle
See ya baby, Groove Armada
Sorry you're not a winner, Enter Shikari
December 7, 2012
When I think about this book, I don't particularly think about the plot. Yes, it's about two gender-nonconforming teens who become friends and consider more. And yes, I was completely enraptured reading it - sucked into asher and eulalie's lives. Pretty sure I read this in one sitting.
And the story is important and the story is heartbreaking, and the story is adorable, and the story makes my chest swell just thinking about it.
But ultimately it's the aesthetic of this that I'm really obsessed with. The feel of this is very zine-like, very homemade, very collagey, very out of the box (as one of the cover blurbs says). It's fully 8.5x11, and the outside cover is soft, almost like velvet (any paper experts want to tell me the right terminology for it?). Inside it's a wide mix. some actual panels, and dialogue positioned sorta like speech bubbles would be, but also pages of mostly text. There's a hand-drawn quality. It feels like a sketchbook - like merey just poured this story out onto the page fully formed (though I imagine that effortlessness is more art than truth).
::interlude while Raina searches the internets for more information about the author and whether she can buy the book directly from the author, then finds author's blog::
If I was on Pinterest, I would pin everything i. merey's done.
Reading through merey's blog leaves me dreamy and low on oxygen.
I have thoughts of desires of getting tattoos of merey's illustrations.
swoon.
There's tonnes of fairly explicit sexual content here, which is probably why it's shelved in the adult comics in our library, but I hope the right teens find this book.
As for me, I'm pretty sure I'm a lifelong fan now.
And the story is important and the story is heartbreaking, and the story is adorable, and the story makes my chest swell just thinking about it.
But ultimately it's the aesthetic of this that I'm really obsessed with. The feel of this is very zine-like, very homemade, very collagey, very out of the box (as one of the cover blurbs says). It's fully 8.5x11, and the outside cover is soft, almost like velvet (any paper experts want to tell me the right terminology for it?). Inside it's a wide mix. some actual panels, and dialogue positioned sorta like speech bubbles would be, but also pages of mostly text. There's a hand-drawn quality. It feels like a sketchbook - like merey just poured this story out onto the page fully formed (though I imagine that effortlessness is more art than truth).
::interlude while Raina searches the internets for more information about the author and whether she can buy the book directly from the author, then finds author's blog::
If I was on Pinterest, I would pin everything i. merey's done.
Reading through merey's blog leaves me dreamy and low on oxygen.
I have thoughts of desires of getting tattoos of merey's illustrations.
swoon.
There's tonnes of fairly explicit sexual content here, which is probably why it's shelved in the adult comics in our library, but I hope the right teens find this book.
As for me, I'm pretty sure I'm a lifelong fan now.
November 23, 2011
Reading this book was like going back in time, to the time of awkward teenagers in high school, to the time of confusion, to the time of the cruelty of puberty.
While I have to admit that my own slice of that period was quite easy, I had plenty of friends who (combined) had the same sort of issues that A and E experienced. Even though our high school was very tolerant, some lesser fortunate kids were going through a subtler version of the conflicts in this book.
Following the friendship of A and E was quite a ride as at times it brought back happy memories from my friendships, at other times it made me jealous because I feel like I missed out in my life, and yet other times it made me sad to relive the one-sided relationships through them. This is what really made the book for me, the ease at which I was able to identify with the characters who are nothing like me at first glance.
I felt that the art direction was spot on for this type of story. Unconstrained and casual, a touch unrefined, much like we all were and still are? The blend of comic, manga, and sketchbook styles Merey employed is unique and forms a perfect symbiosis with the narrative - sometimes deliberately rough, sometimes genuinely beautiful.
Last but not least, the font selection was, for lack of better words, cool. The main font being very crisp and legible, despite the book being almost exclusively in ALLCAPS.
While I have to admit that my own slice of that period was quite easy, I had plenty of friends who (combined) had the same sort of issues that A and E experienced. Even though our high school was very tolerant, some lesser fortunate kids were going through a subtler version of the conflicts in this book.
Following the friendship of A and E was quite a ride as at times it brought back happy memories from my friendships, at other times it made me jealous because I feel like I missed out in my life, and yet other times it made me sad to relive the one-sided relationships through them. This is what really made the book for me, the ease at which I was able to identify with the characters who are nothing like me at first glance.
I felt that the art direction was spot on for this type of story. Unconstrained and casual, a touch unrefined, much like we all were and still are? The blend of comic, manga, and sketchbook styles Merey employed is unique and forms a perfect symbiosis with the narrative - sometimes deliberately rough, sometimes genuinely beautiful.
Last but not least, the font selection was, for lack of better words, cool. The main font being very crisp and legible, despite the book being almost exclusively in ALLCAPS.
January 23, 2012
I was given a copy of this to review by Lethe Press. I am not a graphic novel reader habitually, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I read it in one sitting, and by the end of it two words came to me that described the experience.
Heartbreaking. Beautiful.
I found the art to have just the right level of impressionism to it – emotions exaggerated almost crudely, perhaps from a bit of manga influence. Asher, the boy, is androgynous and beautiful. Eulalie is tall, tough, with long hair shaved on the side. They are complex characters, which I was surprised to find in a graphic novel (I stand corrected on my prejudices now).
Ash is often mistaken for a girl, assumed to be gay, often bullied by the other highschoolers. Eu, on the other hand, is described as a 'lonely, tough-talking dyke'. The two are drawn together by the fact that they're both outcasts, and their bond becomes very deep, very quickly. They are both artists, they like similar music, and in each other they find the support they need to help find themselves.
My favourite thing about this story is the fact that despite the initial labels given to the title characters, they are not what you expect. There comes a moment where Ash and Eu do talk to each other about their respective identities, but rather than finding new labels for each other they shed the labels the world has given them and simply become who they are. In doing so, they take a step towards redefining the very words used to identify them.
I give this book five stars for characterisation, realism, and redefining stereotypes in a genre that seldom takes the risk.
Heartbreaking. Beautiful.
I found the art to have just the right level of impressionism to it – emotions exaggerated almost crudely, perhaps from a bit of manga influence. Asher, the boy, is androgynous and beautiful. Eulalie is tall, tough, with long hair shaved on the side. They are complex characters, which I was surprised to find in a graphic novel (I stand corrected on my prejudices now).
Ash is often mistaken for a girl, assumed to be gay, often bullied by the other highschoolers. Eu, on the other hand, is described as a 'lonely, tough-talking dyke'. The two are drawn together by the fact that they're both outcasts, and their bond becomes very deep, very quickly. They are both artists, they like similar music, and in each other they find the support they need to help find themselves.
My favourite thing about this story is the fact that despite the initial labels given to the title characters, they are not what you expect. There comes a moment where Ash and Eu do talk to each other about their respective identities, but rather than finding new labels for each other they shed the labels the world has given them and simply become who they are. In doing so, they take a step towards redefining the very words used to identify them.
I give this book five stars for characterisation, realism, and redefining stereotypes in a genre that seldom takes the risk.
September 10, 2016
A + E 4ever is a story that explores the complexity of sexuality and sexual identity in a way that would have been eye-opening for me as a teenager. Most of the LGBTQ+ literature I read usually focuses on the first 3 letters of the acronym, with a few ventures into the 4th, but seldom to anything as complex as Merey’s graphic novel.
The story follows Asher Machnik and Eulalie Mason, two Jewish teens with a beautifully complicated relationship that was fascinating to follow. Asher is an androgynous boy who is ridiculed and hated because he refuses to be anything but his authentic self. Eulalie is a tough girl with a soft spot for Asher. She accepts him and openly wants to be with him, but Asher only seeks her company and friendship. The plot itself is pretty typical teenager fare — teenage drama and escapades — but the nuanced depiction of genderqueer life was a refreshing take on an otherwise typical story. I had some issues with some of the sexually explicit content in parts of the novel because I genuinely do not know what to make of graphic depictions of teen sexuality, but other that that I do recommend this graphic novel for teenagers looking to see themselves and the beautifully complex queerness of their lives.
The story follows Asher Machnik and Eulalie Mason, two Jewish teens with a beautifully complicated relationship that was fascinating to follow. Asher is an androgynous boy who is ridiculed and hated because he refuses to be anything but his authentic self. Eulalie is a tough girl with a soft spot for Asher. She accepts him and openly wants to be with him, but Asher only seeks her company and friendship. The plot itself is pretty typical teenager fare — teenage drama and escapades — but the nuanced depiction of genderqueer life was a refreshing take on an otherwise typical story. I had some issues with some of the sexually explicit content in parts of the novel because I genuinely do not know what to make of graphic depictions of teen sexuality, but other that that I do recommend this graphic novel for teenagers looking to see themselves and the beautifully complex queerness of their lives.
February 10, 2017
Asher Machnik is a shy, effeminate soul who just wants his junior year at his new high school to go by quickly, painlessly. Terrified of being physically touched (with a real phobia that makes him break down and sweat), Asher throws himself whole-heartedly into his sketchbook, escaping within his drawings.
Unfortunately for him, Asher’s soft features and androgynous look make him a target for the school’s ignorant bullies. But it’s this same delicacy, this fragility, that draws Eulalie to Asher as well. He’s different from anyone she’s ever met before, in a good, but unexplainable way.
Eulalie (Eu for short) is seriously mad at the world–and she’s not afraid to show it. Labeled as a dyke and a freak by her fellow classmates, Eu doesn’t take crap from anyone. But she also understands what it feels like to be alone. When she defends Asher in the lunchroom, the two strike up a fast-forming friendship. They’re both outsiders, they’re both artists, they’re both Jewish, they’re both music fans, but most of all, they’re both in desperate need of a best friend. They need each other.
As the two get to know each other better, Eu develops a crush on Asher, while he, meanwhile, explores his sexuality and tries to overcome his fear of being touched. But will Asher ever recognize that the person who understands him most isn’t in some bar, it’s in Eu? Or will E and A never get to realize what might have been between them?
This graphic gorgeous black-and-white novel perfectly captures the whirlwind blur that is high school. From going to darkened bars that make you feel empty, to concert halls with pounding walls, Merey vividly portrays the challenges and emotional roller-coasters that being a teen is all about.
The art is impressive, with great detail and attention paid to bodies and faces, specifically eyes and lips. Sometimes the backgrounds are blurred, sometimes there are large chunks of text. It is a slightly varied graphic novel experience than the one I’ve experienced before, although no less enjoyable. I love that the story works on so many levels, too. This is a book where readers can read into the book however they like.
And while there are some scenes (and subjects) that are hard to swallow and digest, the book is ultimately uplifting, in my opinion, and it leaves a good taste in your mouth. I was sad when it was over and haven’t been able to get it out of my head for days. In fact, I inhaled the book and stayed awake after I’d finished just staring off into space. It’s been haunting me for reasons that I cannot articulate. It’s certainly not for everyone, though.
a + e 4ever is a highly entertaining and worthwhile read, where readers can lose, and find, themselves all on the same page.
Audience: fans of graphic novels, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning readers (LGBTQ), wallflowers, outsiders, thespians, mature teens and adults
Themes: boy/girl friendships, new kid at school, high school, LGBTQ relationships, questioning sexuality, love, discovering oneself, recovery/coping, bullying, religion (specifically Judaism), defining (and redefining) gender roles, art, drawing, music/concerts, school play, first love, rape, incest, virginity, phobias and fears of being touched or getting too close to people, self-identity
Readalikes (If you love this, you will also like):
√ Wet Moon Volume 1: Feeble Wanderings (series) by Dr. Ross Campbell
√ f2m: The Boy Within by Hazel Edwards
√ Circle of Change by Laney Cairo
√ Parrotfish by Ellen Wittlinger
√ I Am J by Cris Beam
This review originally appeared on Reading, Writing, and the World of Words
Unfortunately for him, Asher’s soft features and androgynous look make him a target for the school’s ignorant bullies. But it’s this same delicacy, this fragility, that draws Eulalie to Asher as well. He’s different from anyone she’s ever met before, in a good, but unexplainable way.
Eulalie (Eu for short) is seriously mad at the world–and she’s not afraid to show it. Labeled as a dyke and a freak by her fellow classmates, Eu doesn’t take crap from anyone. But she also understands what it feels like to be alone. When she defends Asher in the lunchroom, the two strike up a fast-forming friendship. They’re both outsiders, they’re both artists, they’re both Jewish, they’re both music fans, but most of all, they’re both in desperate need of a best friend. They need each other.
As the two get to know each other better, Eu develops a crush on Asher, while he, meanwhile, explores his sexuality and tries to overcome his fear of being touched. But will Asher ever recognize that the person who understands him most isn’t in some bar, it’s in Eu? Or will E and A never get to realize what might have been between them?
This graphic gorgeous black-and-white novel perfectly captures the whirlwind blur that is high school. From going to darkened bars that make you feel empty, to concert halls with pounding walls, Merey vividly portrays the challenges and emotional roller-coasters that being a teen is all about.
The art is impressive, with great detail and attention paid to bodies and faces, specifically eyes and lips. Sometimes the backgrounds are blurred, sometimes there are large chunks of text. It is a slightly varied graphic novel experience than the one I’ve experienced before, although no less enjoyable. I love that the story works on so many levels, too. This is a book where readers can read into the book however they like.
And while there are some scenes (and subjects) that are hard to swallow and digest, the book is ultimately uplifting, in my opinion, and it leaves a good taste in your mouth. I was sad when it was over and haven’t been able to get it out of my head for days. In fact, I inhaled the book and stayed awake after I’d finished just staring off into space. It’s been haunting me for reasons that I cannot articulate. It’s certainly not for everyone, though.
a + e 4ever is a highly entertaining and worthwhile read, where readers can lose, and find, themselves all on the same page.
Audience: fans of graphic novels, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning readers (LGBTQ), wallflowers, outsiders, thespians, mature teens and adults
Themes: boy/girl friendships, new kid at school, high school, LGBTQ relationships, questioning sexuality, love, discovering oneself, recovery/coping, bullying, religion (specifically Judaism), defining (and redefining) gender roles, art, drawing, music/concerts, school play, first love, rape, incest, virginity, phobias and fears of being touched or getting too close to people, self-identity
Readalikes (If you love this, you will also like):
√ Wet Moon Volume 1: Feeble Wanderings (series) by Dr. Ross Campbell
√ f2m: The Boy Within by Hazel Edwards
√ Circle of Change by Laney Cairo
√ Parrotfish by Ellen Wittlinger
√ I Am J by Cris Beam
This review originally appeared on Reading, Writing, and the World of Words
March 1, 2015
Oooh... This is difficult.
Okay, so I want to start with how great the idea of this book is.
Jewish androgynous possibly slightly queer boy (Asher)? Major yes. Girl with awesome taste in hairstyle who is apparently also queer (Eulalie)? Absolutely.
But I feel like they could have been better executed. *sighs*
Artistry
Though at times the text can be hard to read (damn those spiky letters!) it's generally awesome and mixed in styles. In place of italics, we have adorable swirly cursive.
The languages skip from English to Russian (Asher and Eulalie call each other 'malchik' and 'devotchka') to German (many of the emotion-packed scenes will have a line or two in it describing a character's thoughts) to Japanese (sound effects! *niko niko*).
The drawing style is just... Beautiful. It's not manga, but it's not American either. It's this incredible blend of sketchy lines and big, sparkling eyes and even some really, really detailed work (Asher's artwork <3).
Plot
Oh, dear Lord, this was one of the best plots ever written *kisses book*
So we've got Asher, a Jew-ish boy who happens to be bi/pansexual, becoming friends with Eulalie, a rather queer-but-not-actually queer girl. They become friends and then, to Eulalie, slightly more than friends.
Except Asher doesn't exactly like her back.
Thus begins an epic storyline following their year of school and their antics together, which include Asher dressing in drag, Eulalie trying to make Asher jealous by dating a jerk, and sex that is actually tastefully drawn. Oh, right, and them drawing things and listening to music and feels. Oh god, the feels.
Now to the characters.
Asher
One of my favorite things about Asher was his fear of being touched. It apparently stems from all of the bullying and possible sexual harassment he's been through as an androgynous male. However, this really didn't get covered enough. In the beginning of the book, we see him cower at the prospect of having his first kiss with a girl as an audition for a play- but slightly later, he's got a girlfriend and is basically surgically attached to her. Nothing really has changed, and yet an entire part of his personality is completely gone.
There is also a scene where he is given a drug by a boy in a club and is subsequently raped by said boy and a friend. I really, really didn't like this scene and the way it was handled. Eulalie actually is angry at him for taking the pill to begin with and completely ignores the fact that he was just raped. His rape also leads to him having sex with random guys at clubs, which kind of confuses me because you would think a rape victim would be slightly averse to sex after. Especially a rape victim who had his virginity taken by rape and already has a phobia of touch.
All in all, I feel like many things with Asher were brought up and then dropped- his phobia of touch, his crush on a boy, his lack of appetite, his passionate and possibly incestuous relationship with his sister- which is why I couldn't fully enjoy him. He also, at times, is a bit of an ass, though that could just be me.
Eulalie
Oh, my poor baby.
Eulalie is actually not a 'dyke' as stated by the summary, but she is a punkish, spunky girl with tastes running between tomboy and feminine. She's kind of badass. And this obviously separates her from most of her peers.
I'm sorry to say her personality isn't much established. She doesn't seem to have half the detail of Asher's character, and yet most of the story is narrated from her point of view. I wish we could have seen more of her and learned more about her.
Of course, she's got a massive crush on Asher. This is one element of the story that felt raw and emotional and amazingly well written/illustrated. Her feelings for him are one-sided for most of the book, and it can be painful at times to read about her (for example) trying to ask him out and him saying he has a crush on a trophy boy.
Eulalie tended to be the best part of this story, not only because of her fucked-up humor and her bravery. She's an all-around awesome person who's full of heart *squeezes*
My Point Being
This is an awesome book. It's not perfect, but it's something that is needed. Definitely one of the best comics I've ever read.
Okay, so I want to start with how great the idea of this book is.
Jewish androgynous possibly slightly queer boy (Asher)? Major yes. Girl with awesome taste in hairstyle who is apparently also queer (Eulalie)? Absolutely.
But I feel like they could have been better executed. *sighs*
Artistry
Though at times the text can be hard to read (damn those spiky letters!) it's generally awesome and mixed in styles. In place of italics, we have adorable swirly cursive.
The languages skip from English to Russian (Asher and Eulalie call each other 'malchik' and 'devotchka') to German (many of the emotion-packed scenes will have a line or two in it describing a character's thoughts) to Japanese (sound effects! *niko niko*).
The drawing style is just... Beautiful. It's not manga, but it's not American either. It's this incredible blend of sketchy lines and big, sparkling eyes and even some really, really detailed work (Asher's artwork <3).
Plot
Oh, dear Lord, this was one of the best plots ever written *kisses book*
So we've got Asher, a Jew-ish boy who happens to be bi/pansexual, becoming friends with Eulalie, a rather queer-but-not-actually queer girl. They become friends and then, to Eulalie, slightly more than friends.
Except Asher doesn't exactly like her back.
Thus begins an epic storyline following their year of school and their antics together, which include Asher dressing in drag, Eulalie trying to make Asher jealous by dating a jerk, and sex that is actually tastefully drawn. Oh, right, and them drawing things and listening to music and feels. Oh god, the feels.
Now to the characters.
Asher
One of my favorite things about Asher was his fear of being touched. It apparently stems from all of the bullying and possible sexual harassment he's been through as an androgynous male. However, this really didn't get covered enough. In the beginning of the book, we see him cower at the prospect of having his first kiss with a girl as an audition for a play- but slightly later, he's got a girlfriend and is basically surgically attached to her. Nothing really has changed, and yet an entire part of his personality is completely gone.
There is also a scene where he is given a drug by a boy in a club and is subsequently raped by said boy and a friend. I really, really didn't like this scene and the way it was handled. Eulalie actually is angry at him for taking the pill to begin with and completely ignores the fact that he was just raped. His rape also leads to him having sex with random guys at clubs, which kind of confuses me because you would think a rape victim would be slightly averse to sex after. Especially a rape victim who had his virginity taken by rape and already has a phobia of touch.
All in all, I feel like many things with Asher were brought up and then dropped- his phobia of touch, his crush on a boy, his lack of appetite, his passionate and possibly incestuous relationship with his sister- which is why I couldn't fully enjoy him. He also, at times, is a bit of an ass, though that could just be me.
Eulalie
Oh, my poor baby.
Eulalie is actually not a 'dyke' as stated by the summary, but she is a punkish, spunky girl with tastes running between tomboy and feminine. She's kind of badass. And this obviously separates her from most of her peers.
I'm sorry to say her personality isn't much established. She doesn't seem to have half the detail of Asher's character, and yet most of the story is narrated from her point of view. I wish we could have seen more of her and learned more about her.
Of course, she's got a massive crush on Asher. This is one element of the story that felt raw and emotional and amazingly well written/illustrated. Her feelings for him are one-sided for most of the book, and it can be painful at times to read about her (for example) trying to ask him out and him saying he has a crush on a trophy boy.
Eulalie tended to be the best part of this story, not only because of her fucked-up humor and her bravery. She's an all-around awesome person who's full of heart *squeezes*
My Point Being
This is an awesome book. It's not perfect, but it's something that is needed. Definitely one of the best comics I've ever read.
June 24, 2012
This book was amazing. I really loved it, all the way through. Eu and Ash were unbelievably real, dimensional, and flawed in all the right ways. I felt like they could be anybody. They could have been people who I went to school with, people who come into where I work. They were that real. Eu actually reminded me of one of my best friends from grade 12 in the way she talked an acted.
The book expresses very well the confusion that comes with being a teenager. Both main characters dance around the idea of gender identity and sexuality without speaking of it directly except in a few scenes.
The book loses a star for three reasons:
1. The Art. This is a graphic novel (emphasis on graphic, but we'll get to that later...). The art is done in black marker, and it's quite messy. It takes some getting used to. The first few sections were just irritating to me, and as a result I didn't get much out of the first third of the book. Some of the fonts are hard to read, but if you take a second look, it's easier. I think a lot could have been done to make this more readable, but it may have taken away from the "indie" feel of the book, so I can see why the author made the choices they did.
2. The Language/Subject Matter. I got pretty sick of all the cursing throughout. I live a pretty sheltered life, though. Most people probably wouldn't notice it as much. Another part of this point is a few scenes where sex occurs. It's a book based on art, so sex scenes are kind of weird to read, but the author doesn't really show much nudity or anything which is great. Again, I'm a sheltered kind of person so this still struck me a little bit the wrong way.
3. The Epilogue. I feel like the epilogue took away from the power of this book. If it had ended where it did before this last part, I would have been much happier.
All in all, thumbs up. A good read for queer youth.
The book expresses very well the confusion that comes with being a teenager. Both main characters dance around the idea of gender identity and sexuality without speaking of it directly except in a few scenes.
The book loses a star for three reasons:
1. The Art. This is a graphic novel (emphasis on graphic, but we'll get to that later...). The art is done in black marker, and it's quite messy. It takes some getting used to. The first few sections were just irritating to me, and as a result I didn't get much out of the first third of the book. Some of the fonts are hard to read, but if you take a second look, it's easier. I think a lot could have been done to make this more readable, but it may have taken away from the "indie" feel of the book, so I can see why the author made the choices they did.
2. The Language/Subject Matter. I got pretty sick of all the cursing throughout. I live a pretty sheltered life, though. Most people probably wouldn't notice it as much. Another part of this point is a few scenes where sex occurs. It's a book based on art, so sex scenes are kind of weird to read, but the author doesn't really show much nudity or anything which is great. Again, I'm a sheltered kind of person so this still struck me a little bit the wrong way.
3. The Epilogue. I feel like the epilogue took away from the power of this book. If it had ended where it did before this last part, I would have been much happier.
All in all, thumbs up. A good read for queer youth.
April 6, 2012
Asher’s family moves around a lot. Their recent move has brought him to yet another new town and another new high school, and it’s taking him while to find his feet. It doesn’t help that Asher is a really pretty boy whose effeminate looks garner him lots of the wrong kind of attention. Eulalie, “Eu,” about the toughest, skinniest, TALLEST, goth girl you can imagine steps in to save him, befriends him, and then falls hopelessly in love with him. They’re a bit of an odd couple when juxtaposed, but they do everything together – clubbing, music, making art, hanging out at Asher’s house. Eu is open and honest with Asher about how she feels, but he doesn’t reciprocate – in fact, he can barely stand to be touched by her. When he loses his virginity it’s pretty much rape – in a bathroom stall with strangers. And after that, he’s with a number of guys. Eu’s hurt, but figures Asher is into guys. What really kills her is when he starts dating another girl at school. Confused, she pushes away from him and tries to find someone else whom she likes as much. After some time apart, Asher and Eu come together again and this time there’s a new spark between them.
This story of first loves and first relationships is bittersweet, but everyone who’s ever fallen in love will recognize and relate to what Eulalie is going through. Rough, bold, black and white artwork illustrates this tale perfectly. It’s hard and edgy like Eu’s protective exoskeleton.
This story of first loves and first relationships is bittersweet, but everyone who’s ever fallen in love will recognize and relate to what Eulalie is going through. Rough, bold, black and white artwork illustrates this tale perfectly. It’s hard and edgy like Eu’s protective exoskeleton.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2012
I know I entered a giveaway for this, but I couldn't wait to read it. I know some readers find the back-of-the-book description to be misleading - Eu is NOT actually a lesbian. Though neither character really ever labels themselves, the only sexual relationships Eu has are with men, and Ash goes both ways.
Anyway. Just wanted to clarify.
I love the style of this book, how there aren't really panels and everything is kind of messy and raw. It seems both limiting and freeing at the same time, for the artist. There are some very beautiful sketches here, and the story itself made me nostalgic for a scene I was never really into. I felt for these characters, and the epilogue made me sad.
Also, Bukowski totally wrote the note, AMIRIGHT??
Anyway. Just wanted to clarify.
I love the style of this book, how there aren't really panels and everything is kind of messy and raw. It seems both limiting and freeing at the same time, for the artist. There are some very beautiful sketches here, and the story itself made me nostalgic for a scene I was never really into. I felt for these characters, and the epilogue made me sad.
Also, Bukowski totally wrote the note, AMIRIGHT??
March 17, 2014
Gawd, this is just such a beautiful book. I really loved the aesthetic of the drawings. The page design is breathtaking, with panels placed as needed for the specific emotion of each scene. This feels intensely autobiographical - not necessarily in plot, but in the unshakeable sense that the author is genuinely a member of the included subcultures. This isn't genderqueer from the outside. It bothered me that Ash's eating disorder seemed to be romanticized, but I think that's my only complaint. The ending isn't "resolved" but it doesn't need to be. Characters hurt each other and they're called out for it. The art is steaming with such raw emotion and beauty. There are some very sexy scenes. This was just lovely.
July 20, 2012
Ilike Merey's first graphic novel is an amazing, beautifully drawn and scripted tale of the relationship between a feminine-looking boy and a girl who looks and acts like a tough lesbian. This was HOT! I'd love to give it to all my young cousins, but I'm afraid their parents would freak. Can't wait to see what Ilike Merey does next.
July 29, 2019
A bit disjointed, with an interesting yet somehow seemingly unfinished art style, the characters are interesting nonetheless. They are not boxed by gender and sexuality lines, and their friendship/love/hate changes them both. I didn’t love it, but I found it intriguing.
December 18, 2011
This graphic novel had an interesting format I have not encountered in many before. The layout and the use of lettering was very unique. For example, the author does not use speech-bubbles at all. What characters are feeling and what they are saying is all derived from context and the placement of text, not bubbles, and there is sometimes very much dialogue, almost like a script or a screenplay. It was in some ways like reading a movie. The art is rough and emotional, part manga and part something else.
The story and the things the characters say to each other was often funny, but sometimes very offensive and even painful to read. I'd have to put it down for a while then come back. Certain situations depicted in the book will make some people uncomfortable. A + E raises a lot of questions about how we love and about sex and sexual identity, friendship and family and it doesn't try to force answers for all of them. Much is left for the reader to interpret. This is a queer book, but interestingly, neither character's identity is defined by themselves (only by others around them). Even as queers, they do not fit into any definition.
You can feel the closeness Ash and Eu develop for each other. You get very close to them too and you hurt for them, but in the end you can't touch them or help them. This is I think also the lesson Eu learns when the boy who hates to be touched finally lets her touch him. In the end, it does not matter. She cannot always be there. If you've ever had such a close friendship that suddenly was gone from your life, you will relate.
The themes reminded me in some ways of 'Blankets' and in some ways of 'Ghost World', two graphic novels I've liked very much. Like Blankets, there is also a focus on creativity developing in teenagers and on the role of art in your life when you don't have many friends. It fit well with the artwork, which also struck me as developing.
In the end, this book had flaws, but it bled.
The story and the things the characters say to each other was often funny, but sometimes very offensive and even painful to read. I'd have to put it down for a while then come back. Certain situations depicted in the book will make some people uncomfortable. A + E raises a lot of questions about how we love and about sex and sexual identity, friendship and family and it doesn't try to force answers for all of them. Much is left for the reader to interpret. This is a queer book, but interestingly, neither character's identity is defined by themselves (only by others around them). Even as queers, they do not fit into any definition.
You can feel the closeness Ash and Eu develop for each other. You get very close to them too and you hurt for them, but in the end you can't touch them or help them. This is I think also the lesson Eu learns when the boy who hates to be touched finally lets her touch him. In the end, it does not matter. She cannot always be there. If you've ever had such a close friendship that suddenly was gone from your life, you will relate.
The themes reminded me in some ways of 'Blankets' and in some ways of 'Ghost World', two graphic novels I've liked very much. Like Blankets, there is also a focus on creativity developing in teenagers and on the role of art in your life when you don't have many friends. It fit well with the artwork, which also struck me as developing.
In the end, this book had flaws, but it bled.
January 21, 2017
The first ten pages will grab your attention with it’s beautiful/raw art style. It sets the tone for the reader that this would be a unique experience. Merey’s drawing style gives the characters/situations in this grapic novel more depth to a great story. Merey has a fearless art style and it shows in every single page. The artwork reminds me of manga/cartoon/sketching and it gives the graphic novel it’s signature look.
So many times reading this novel I felt a deep connection with the main characters Ash & Eu. The two reminded me of what I held so dear back in high school(art/music/friendship). It also reminded me of the horrors of high school of being bullied and finding my own identity.
This is an amazing novel I recommend to young adults/adults in LGBTQ trying to understand the value of friendship, gender identity and sexuality.
So many times reading this novel I felt a deep connection with the main characters Ash & Eu. The two reminded me of what I held so dear back in high school(art/music/friendship). It also reminded me of the horrors of high school of being bullied and finding my own identity.
This is an amazing novel I recommend to young adults/adults in LGBTQ trying to understand the value of friendship, gender identity and sexuality.
September 8, 2015
I picked this graphic novel up randomly at the library and started reading, two hours later I finished it amazed. This is a true coming of age story, about a boy and girl growing up and finding themselves. The story focuses on them finding their sexuality but you also see them find their style and developing their personalities. The story development was great and I loved the characters. I felt like the author did a great job showing what emotions and feelings are like as a teenager which I believe is hard for many authors to do. I also loved the art style. It was all black and white but the art was amazing. I would recommend this story to anyone who likes these coming of age stories but do note that there is some graphic things and harsh topics in the book.
October 24, 2019
This is a breathtakingly beautiful book that has stayed in my mind and heart long after I finished it. I am continually compelled to look at it and reread pages. The story is full of the pain, yearning and uncertainty of being a teenager, but also shows the hope which the discovery of a true friend can provide. Everything is felt with a raw intensity and the author perfectly captures both the discomfort and bliss of sexual exploration.
It touches on a lot of issues, but at its core is the wondrous miracle of having someone in your life who understands you, even it is just for a moment and can't last forever.
It touches on a lot of issues, but at its core is the wondrous miracle of having someone in your life who understands you, even it is just for a moment and can't last forever.
February 24, 2021
If it was possible to rate 0 stars, I would. This book was on the stonewall awards list, as was required to read for a class. But let me tell you, it is hot garbage. Where to start? The art is hideous- it looks like something an edgy 13 year old would draw- huge faces and eyes, spiky hair, no accurate proportions. But that would be forgivable if the story was good- except it wasn't. This book borders on homophobic- they call a STRAIGHT GIRL A dyke why???? As a lesbian, I was offended. They threw around slurs just to be "edgy" it seemed, and sexual assault is handled HORRIBLY. The plot was horrible, and I wouldn't burn this book for warmth if I was freezing in Siberia.
September 10, 2021
A tall, abrasive goth befriends the androgynous new kid at school. This reminds me of Francesca Lia Block, of Brite and Kiernan's goth and grunge scenes, absent speculative elements save for the magics of queer friendship, longing, and sometimes drugs too. Like Block et al., it's keenly relatable, a little nostalgic, thorny and messy but idealized in a way that suits the themes of longing and self-discovery. The art is rough and the novelty fonts approach unreadable, but the style contributes to the raw, earnest messiness of the relationship. It's so queer! A diverse, unprettied-and-beautiful queerness. The ending is great. I'd've eaten this up as a young adult and, to be honest, still did.
November 30, 2011
wow, sad lovely strange, what a great book sometimes the illustrations were hard to cope with and the text difficult to read but its beautiful and weird
December 31, 2015
so good. also my last 2015 book!
July 2, 2021
C.W.: Sexual Assault and Bullying
A + E 4ever is a graphic novel written and illustrated by Ilike Merey. It follows a year in the lives of Asher and Eulalie, two gender and sexuality ambiguous misfits who find each other on the fringes of high school society.
Asher "Ash" Machnik is an androgynous newcomer to the school where Eulalie "Eu" Mason has spent several years unsettling the mainstream crowd with her heavy-metal-listening butch ways. Their developing friendship, built through drawing sessions, raves, and a shared love of alternative music, forms the basis of a budding relationship.
Ash has a fear of being touched. Due to having an androgynous face, he has a long history of unpleasant and non-consensual physical encounters. Later on, he suffers for many more emotional and physical abuses as he tends to being beat up because of how he looks. Eu is a lonely, tough-talking lesbian from school who has also been ostracized from her high school peers.
A + E 4ever is written and constructed rather well. Revelations about the protagonists unfold via multiple fonts and drawing styles, giving the book a disjointed and rebellious feel. The format was probably designed with more thought to defying convention than to readability, as many of the fonts are nearly illegible, and some of the characters visually indistinguishable from each other. However, these formatting choices do contribute to a feeling of authenticity, and readers will feel thoroughly immersed in the confusing world of adolescents who are figuring out how to live in a hostile world without any adult figures to provide guidance.
All in all, A + E 4ever is a wonderful graphic novel that explores genderqueer life, where affections aren't black and white.
A + E 4ever is a graphic novel written and illustrated by Ilike Merey. It follows a year in the lives of Asher and Eulalie, two gender and sexuality ambiguous misfits who find each other on the fringes of high school society.
Asher "Ash" Machnik is an androgynous newcomer to the school where Eulalie "Eu" Mason has spent several years unsettling the mainstream crowd with her heavy-metal-listening butch ways. Their developing friendship, built through drawing sessions, raves, and a shared love of alternative music, forms the basis of a budding relationship.
Ash has a fear of being touched. Due to having an androgynous face, he has a long history of unpleasant and non-consensual physical encounters. Later on, he suffers for many more emotional and physical abuses as he tends to being beat up because of how he looks. Eu is a lonely, tough-talking lesbian from school who has also been ostracized from her high school peers.
A + E 4ever is written and constructed rather well. Revelations about the protagonists unfold via multiple fonts and drawing styles, giving the book a disjointed and rebellious feel. The format was probably designed with more thought to defying convention than to readability, as many of the fonts are nearly illegible, and some of the characters visually indistinguishable from each other. However, these formatting choices do contribute to a feeling of authenticity, and readers will feel thoroughly immersed in the confusing world of adolescents who are figuring out how to live in a hostile world without any adult figures to provide guidance.
All in all, A + E 4ever is a wonderful graphic novel that explores genderqueer life, where affections aren't black and white.
June 18, 2025
This book felt like a warm genderpunk hug.
I originally read this story in non-graphic novel form. I liked it quite a lot. Something about this edition, though, felt like I was reminiscing with old friends. Maybe I was just happy to spend time with these characters again, but I really do think the visual art has a soul to it.
The art style echoes the characters, tone, subject beautifully. Like the art, Ash and Eu are in a state of flux, trying to find where they fit into a binary world when it comes to gender, attraction and love. Maybe they'll draw those lines, maybe they'll smudge them into something new.
Some specific illustrations really stood out to me. Theres a scene when Ash and Eu are walking down a road and their dialogue follows them along the path. I keep thinking about it, what a rad static representation of movement. I also loved the small visual gags like documenting each item of a 7-11 haul like a video game inventory. This book may be full of teen angst but it also embraces the silly side of growing up.
Thanks so so much to tRaum books for sending a copy my way. I'm leaving a review of my own accord.
I originally read this story in non-graphic novel form. I liked it quite a lot. Something about this edition, though, felt like I was reminiscing with old friends. Maybe I was just happy to spend time with these characters again, but I really do think the visual art has a soul to it.
The art style echoes the characters, tone, subject beautifully. Like the art, Ash and Eu are in a state of flux, trying to find where they fit into a binary world when it comes to gender, attraction and love. Maybe they'll draw those lines, maybe they'll smudge them into something new.
Some specific illustrations really stood out to me. Theres a scene when Ash and Eu are walking down a road and their dialogue follows them along the path. I keep thinking about it, what a rad static representation of movement. I also loved the small visual gags like documenting each item of a 7-11 haul like a video game inventory. This book may be full of teen angst but it also embraces the silly side of growing up.
Thanks so so much to tRaum books for sending a copy my way. I'm leaving a review of my own accord.
January 7, 2012
One of the other reviews, someone said something about 'wish fulfillment' in the clubs of this book. Actually, I went to a lot of shows in crappy clubs when I was these kids' age and had some dreams come true hahaha, maybe I'm just a loser. Maybe that's why I related so much, but I liked how this is a book about losers and identity in general. It starts out with Ash and Eu on a stage, they have to pretend to be in love with each other for five minutes for a school try-out and that sets it up, all the pretending. All the masks you wear at school. It's drama class, but you still gotta play with your family, your friends, when you’re out entertaining or getting entertained.
Ash has a phobia, he freaks out and sweats when people touch him. You never get told why, but you figure it's because he's been a punching bag his whole life. The kid doesn't have any balls. At home, well, his little sister's the only one who pays any attention to him, more than that, worships him, so he's got kind of a twisted view on her. Like Eu says, Ash is one of those pathetic people who falls in love with ANYONE who's nice to him. His little sis is the only person who looks up to him or can make him feel good about himself and sure, he's got his artwork, but that's a solitary activity. Then along comes Eu and she shows Ash how to turn himself into someone else. Eu basically starts the boy to man process. She's the first person to come out and like him, maybe the first person he has the satisfaction of rejecting.
Clubs are the place where you can be anonymous, where you can dress up in your disguise. Nobody knows who you are, you put on the best mask for one night. Eu gets that, because you suspect
she's all about masks too, all her clothes and her foul mouth are her way of putting on a front against a fucked up, cold world. She sees just how cold it is the first time when she takes Ash out--the boys drug him up then use him in the bathroom like a tissue, and you get the sad feeling he lets it happen because he’s too panicked by touching to try sex sober. Afterwards though, it frees him up somehow, he survives it and learns to not be so damn naive, to be careful with his beauty, because in the clubs, he's not what he is at school. He is a commodity, he's sexy, boys he wouldn't dare approach at school want to get with him and he doesn't have to do anything. Problem is, he starts being careful around his best friend Eu too, picks fights because she's the only one who has seen him home, school and club. And he thinks if he gives it up to her, it will screw up their friendship. (Been there.)
And Eu does want his body, but most of all she wants him to TRUST HER. Then he goes to a club with her and finally gets his shit together =) Which is not to say the book had a happy ending.
The ending was like this... love letter to ambiguity, like the whole book <3
4.5 stars
Ash has a phobia, he freaks out and sweats when people touch him. You never get told why, but you figure it's because he's been a punching bag his whole life. The kid doesn't have any balls. At home, well, his little sister's the only one who pays any attention to him, more than that, worships him, so he's got kind of a twisted view on her. Like Eu says, Ash is one of those pathetic people who falls in love with ANYONE who's nice to him. His little sis is the only person who looks up to him or can make him feel good about himself and sure, he's got his artwork, but that's a solitary activity. Then along comes Eu and she shows Ash how to turn himself into someone else. Eu basically starts the boy to man process. She's the first person to come out and like him, maybe the first person he has the satisfaction of rejecting.
Clubs are the place where you can be anonymous, where you can dress up in your disguise. Nobody knows who you are, you put on the best mask for one night. Eu gets that, because you suspect
she's all about masks too, all her clothes and her foul mouth are her way of putting on a front against a fucked up, cold world. She sees just how cold it is the first time when she takes Ash out--the boys drug him up then use him in the bathroom like a tissue, and you get the sad feeling he lets it happen because he’s too panicked by touching to try sex sober. Afterwards though, it frees him up somehow, he survives it and learns to not be so damn naive, to be careful with his beauty, because in the clubs, he's not what he is at school. He is a commodity, he's sexy, boys he wouldn't dare approach at school want to get with him and he doesn't have to do anything. Problem is, he starts being careful around his best friend Eu too, picks fights because she's the only one who has seen him home, school and club. And he thinks if he gives it up to her, it will screw up their friendship. (Been there.)
And Eu does want his body, but most of all she wants him to TRUST HER. Then he goes to a club with her and finally gets his shit together =) Which is not to say the book had a happy ending.
The ending was like this... love letter to ambiguity, like the whole book <3
4.5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2014
From the description, I thought this graphic novel would be doing some interesting things with gender identity and sexual orientation. I was disappointed. Neither of the characters dresses or acts exactly how their gender is expected to, but that's about as far as it goes (Eu still identifies as a girl and Ash still identifies as a boy. Challenging gender norms is important, but I guess I was hoping from the description for trans* or genderqueer representaiton.). More interesting things are going on sexual-orientation-wise, in that both characters are or have been involved with both guys and girls and nothing big is made of this. Which is actually kind of refreshing, in a way.
Unfortunately, the story and tone of the book made up for that factor--in a bad way. The plot centers around Ash and Eu's relationship, which (despite their love for non-conformity) is painfully clicheed: Eu falls in love with Ash but he has no interest in her; they drift apart and Eu moves on; just when Eu seems to be happy and independent Ash falls in love with her; it turns out Eu hasn't really moved on at all; and the happy resolution is that they finally have sex together.
This book has a strong, dark tone--it comes through in the style of the drawing, the way words are used along with the pictures, the details that are included; I would describe it as sort of emo/punk (and that description might be way off). Sometimes it adds to the atmosphere of the story. Other times it is very off-putting--in particular, the name-dropping. The constant mentioning of what cool music the characters are listening to or dancing to in this cool club or that cool club is, I'm sure, an attempt to add to the tone and atmosphere of the story with real details; it came off to me, however, as the author constantly saying "look how cool and edgy these kids are; they're listening to all the right bands."
I was also bothered by the way this story seems to celebrate some really destructive behaviors. Of course, writing about people making bad choices or going through difficult stuff is really challenging, and you have to walk a fine line between moralizing and glamorizing. But I think Merey came down too far on the celebration side of it. In particular, the handling of Ash's disordered eating bothered me. It would be unfair to want the story to veer off into either a saccharine resolution of this problem or a warning tale of the dangerous consequences--but disordered eating is a serious medical issue, and I felt that in this story it was just a quirky character trait.
Unfortunately, the story and tone of the book made up for that factor--in a bad way. The plot centers around Ash and Eu's relationship, which (despite their love for non-conformity) is painfully clicheed: Eu falls in love with Ash but he has no interest in her; they drift apart and Eu moves on; just when Eu seems to be happy and independent Ash falls in love with her; it turns out Eu hasn't really moved on at all; and the happy resolution is that they finally have sex together.
This book has a strong, dark tone--it comes through in the style of the drawing, the way words are used along with the pictures, the details that are included; I would describe it as sort of emo/punk (and that description might be way off). Sometimes it adds to the atmosphere of the story. Other times it is very off-putting--in particular, the name-dropping. The constant mentioning of what cool music the characters are listening to or dancing to in this cool club or that cool club is, I'm sure, an attempt to add to the tone and atmosphere of the story with real details; it came off to me, however, as the author constantly saying "look how cool and edgy these kids are; they're listening to all the right bands."
I was also bothered by the way this story seems to celebrate some really destructive behaviors. Of course, writing about people making bad choices or going through difficult stuff is really challenging, and you have to walk a fine line between moralizing and glamorizing. But I think Merey came down too far on the celebration side of it. In particular, the handling of Ash's disordered eating bothered me. It would be unfair to want the story to veer off into either a saccharine resolution of this problem or a warning tale of the dangerous consequences--but disordered eating is a serious medical issue, and I felt that in this story it was just a quirky character trait.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2012
Overall
A touching story of high school romance that involves character growth, thoughts on sexuality and gender, and bullying. Aside from an overall enjoyment, the story had some gaping holes that left me blinking in surprise, wondering where the rest was.
Strengths
The art style won't be to everyone's liking, but the rawness felt appropriate for the characters who are edgy and fringe. The construction of the pages was sometimes hard to follow, but never confusing enough to disrupt the story or confuse the reader about what was happening. The writing and dialogue both fit well with the artistic style, unifying the elements of the book.
Some thing about the stye reminded me of Jhonen Vasquez, despite the very different topic matter.
There are strengths and weaknesses of the content of this story. Looking at it from Eu's perspective, the story feels pretty self contained and satisfying and, although I didn't really want their relationship to happen, the story and its ending pleased me. Ash's growth from the boy who won't talk into Eu's equal is interesting and dynamic. The story as a whole touches upon issues of sexuality and gender without dragging it into the main focus.
Weaknesses
Ash, who is my favorite character in the book, is too much of an enigma. The narration is mainly from Eu's perspective, but not solely, which created a sense that too much information about Ash was brought up and pushed aside. Very important information is mentioned (repeatedly) but never resolved, including potential incest, potential eating disorders, and the almost blasé way rape/pseudo-rape is handled. Ash has huge issues with being touched but after one encounter it seems to fade to the point where he can get a girlfriend.
I think my biggest issue with these gaping holes is that those elements are what made Ash so interesting and I wanted to know more about them, how they came about, and how they get resolved. Instead the story focuses more on Eu, who is okay, but not nearly as interesting. Some readers may not have a problem with the focus being on her, but most readers will probably be confused--and feel a bit cheated--by the shocking content that is brought up and never really dealt with.
Be sure to check out my other reviews on my blog.
A touching story of high school romance that involves character growth, thoughts on sexuality and gender, and bullying. Aside from an overall enjoyment, the story had some gaping holes that left me blinking in surprise, wondering where the rest was.
Strengths
The art style won't be to everyone's liking, but the rawness felt appropriate for the characters who are edgy and fringe. The construction of the pages was sometimes hard to follow, but never confusing enough to disrupt the story or confuse the reader about what was happening. The writing and dialogue both fit well with the artistic style, unifying the elements of the book.
Some thing about the stye reminded me of Jhonen Vasquez, despite the very different topic matter.
There are strengths and weaknesses of the content of this story. Looking at it from Eu's perspective, the story feels pretty self contained and satisfying and, although I didn't really want their relationship to happen, the story and its ending pleased me. Ash's growth from the boy who won't talk into Eu's equal is interesting and dynamic. The story as a whole touches upon issues of sexuality and gender without dragging it into the main focus.
Weaknesses
Ash, who is my favorite character in the book, is too much of an enigma. The narration is mainly from Eu's perspective, but not solely, which created a sense that too much information about Ash was brought up and pushed aside. Very important information is mentioned (repeatedly) but never resolved, including potential incest, potential eating disorders, and the almost blasé way rape/pseudo-rape is handled. Ash has huge issues with being touched but after one encounter it seems to fade to the point where he can get a girlfriend.
I think my biggest issue with these gaping holes is that those elements are what made Ash so interesting and I wanted to know more about them, how they came about, and how they get resolved. Instead the story focuses more on Eu, who is okay, but not nearly as interesting. Some readers may not have a problem with the focus being on her, but most readers will probably be confused--and feel a bit cheated--by the shocking content that is brought up and never really dealt with.
Be sure to check out my other reviews on my blog.
May 19, 2017
Asher and Eulalie are cast out by their peers because they look different. Asher is a bit androgynous and Eulalie is tall and looks a bit like a dyke. Luckily they meet each other. They hang our listening to music and drawing. Life is good until Eu realizes that she wants more than friendship with Asher. At first she doesn't mind, because he is into guys. When he mentions that he might be into girls too though, Eu is devastated. She just wants him to feel comfortable with her and care about her as much as she feels about him.
Let me start by saying how much I love the illustrations in this graphic novel. They are some kind of fantastic. They are weird and rough and just completely perfect for these characters and the tone. I also liked how this book broke away from the strict storyboard set up that most graphic novels follow. Screw boxes these scenes flow the way they want. It was pretty perfect.
Ash and Eu. These are two kids I could totally have found myself hanging out with in high school. They listen to great music and draw. Now I'm no great artist, but I do enjoy it and if you throw some music into the mix, I'm in heaven. I'm not much of a club goer, but I probably would've gone, I could have kept Eu company while Ash went out to go fulfill his needs. Asher was pretty selfish and it was hard to see why Eu liked him so much. He was pretty awful to him. Not that he owed her anything (even if she was the only person who accepted him) but he could at least be a bit more decent. He seemed to enjoy her company, but had an odd way of showing it.
I wasn't a huge fan of the epilogue. I know that it's a more true and honest ending to their story, but I felt robbed. It was just not what I wanted for Eu. She worked so hard and got so little. Maybe it was enough for her.
This was a great story though and fantastic illustrations. I can totally see why it was on the Stonewall honor list. It was a really great story about teenagers and life and how some things aren't cut and dry. If you are a fan of GBLTQ or graphic novels, definitely check this one out. It's weird but amazing.
First Line:
"Year: Junior
Day of School: Third
Hair: Light Brown
Pants: Skin-tight
Orientation: Shy
Direction: Pending
Sex: Still Waiting
Religion: Jewish"
Favorite Line:
"Eulalie hears colors."
Read more: http://www.areadingnook.com/#ixzz2LrD...
Let me start by saying how much I love the illustrations in this graphic novel. They are some kind of fantastic. They are weird and rough and just completely perfect for these characters and the tone. I also liked how this book broke away from the strict storyboard set up that most graphic novels follow. Screw boxes these scenes flow the way they want. It was pretty perfect.
Ash and Eu. These are two kids I could totally have found myself hanging out with in high school. They listen to great music and draw. Now I'm no great artist, but I do enjoy it and if you throw some music into the mix, I'm in heaven. I'm not much of a club goer, but I probably would've gone, I could have kept Eu company while Ash went out to go fulfill his needs. Asher was pretty selfish and it was hard to see why Eu liked him so much. He was pretty awful to him. Not that he owed her anything (even if she was the only person who accepted him) but he could at least be a bit more decent. He seemed to enjoy her company, but had an odd way of showing it.
I wasn't a huge fan of the epilogue. I know that it's a more true and honest ending to their story, but I felt robbed. It was just not what I wanted for Eu. She worked so hard and got so little. Maybe it was enough for her.
This was a great story though and fantastic illustrations. I can totally see why it was on the Stonewall honor list. It was a really great story about teenagers and life and how some things aren't cut and dry. If you are a fan of GBLTQ or graphic novels, definitely check this one out. It's weird but amazing.
First Line:
"Year: Junior
Day of School: Third
Hair: Light Brown
Pants: Skin-tight
Orientation: Shy
Direction: Pending
Sex: Still Waiting
Religion: Jewish"
Favorite Line:
"Eulalie hears colors."
Read more: http://www.areadingnook.com/#ixzz2LrD...
March 25, 2015
Some people have a roadmap in their sexual awakening. Others have a more convoluted path, filled with mistakes, accidents, and things left unsaid. That's this story—a love story, sure, but one that far better understands the contemporary idea of being "queer" (as opposed to the hetero/homo/bi trichotomy of yesteryear). Both Ash and Eulalie are queer in their own ways, melding androgyny and sexuality into a strong, beautiful friendship. But at their hearts, they're not straight or gay, boy or girl—they're teenagers. And as teenagers, they love, they learn, and—most importantly—they fuck up. Ash can be selfish. Eu can be naïve. Both can be absolutely horrid to each other. But that's what growing up is all about. So while a + e 4ever is indeed a love story, it is more at its heart a coming-of-age story, told from the perspective of two modern kids to whom the traditional (or even more recent) definitions of sexuality and orientation don't really apply.
Everything about this book is unique and wonderful. The story is one that's not often told. The voice of writer i. merey is extraordinary, mixing comic-book dialogue bubbles with narration and inner monologues. And the illustrations are top-notch, adding weird and occasionally funny details like a bucket of "Tom n' Jerry" ice cream or the fabulously hipster teeshirts that Ash favors (his "Kill Your TV" one is my personal favorite). It's little particularities like that that make a graphic novel work, and this works better than nearly any I've ever read.
Seriously, this immediately shoots to the top of graphic novel-dom. It's phenomenal. I plan to give a copy to my kids when they're old enough (somewhere around high school). It's a universal story (if some details, like mp3 players and CD mixes, are slightly dated) that gets right to the heart of what it's like to be an outcast, sexual and otherwise. It's got passion, heart, and chops, all revolving around the story of two teenage kids. It's amazing is what it is. Read it today. Read it twice. Buy a copy for your own teenager. Honest to God, it's perfect.
Everything about this book is unique and wonderful. The story is one that's not often told. The voice of writer i. merey is extraordinary, mixing comic-book dialogue bubbles with narration and inner monologues. And the illustrations are top-notch, adding weird and occasionally funny details like a bucket of "Tom n' Jerry" ice cream or the fabulously hipster teeshirts that Ash favors (his "Kill Your TV" one is my personal favorite). It's little particularities like that that make a graphic novel work, and this works better than nearly any I've ever read.
Seriously, this immediately shoots to the top of graphic novel-dom. It's phenomenal. I plan to give a copy to my kids when they're old enough (somewhere around high school). It's a universal story (if some details, like mp3 players and CD mixes, are slightly dated) that gets right to the heart of what it's like to be an outcast, sexual and otherwise. It's got passion, heart, and chops, all revolving around the story of two teenage kids. It's amazing is what it is. Read it today. Read it twice. Buy a copy for your own teenager. Honest to God, it's perfect.
May 15, 2013
This book was recommended to me by a friend who I now realize is a filthy, filthy pervert. And worse I realize that she must think I'm a filthy, filthy pervert if she would think I would like this book
I'm kidding. But I know she reads my reviews. Hi Marie!
This is a very powerful book. It's a graphic novel. The art is very stark, very raw. There are definitely some Manga influences to it but you also feel like you might be looking at someone's sketchbook, or a graphic diary.
This book is about friendship and love and teen sexuality and sexual identity. It reminds me of a European film whereas it's not so concerned with a story arc in the traditional sense. It doesn't have a classic beginning, inciting incident, midpoint, plot point two (all is lost) and climax. It has a beginning, and then they sort of wander around for a while, and then it has a nice ending.
To parents who may want to get this for their young adults. This is meant to be a young adult book. It's won young adult book awards. But there is a lot of strong sexual content in it. Not explicit, but there's nudity, and sex, and drug use and drinking. I think that kids might get a lot out of it. From my friends who are gay or queer I get the feeling that this is a very accurate portrayal of a lot of the stuff they went through when they were in high school. I mean adolescence and sexuality is no picnic if you're straight. I think that it's possible this might help a kid avoid some of the dangerous decisions these kids make in the book.
But if you're going to get this book for your high school age student, you should read it first. You may not think it's appropriate. And if you do think your kid can handle it you should certainly talk to them about it after they read it. But I think that's probably true for most books your kids read. But what do I know. I only have a dog. And he can't read. Well I'm pretty sure he can't read. I know he can't turn the pages too well.
I'm kidding. But I know she reads my reviews. Hi Marie!
This is a very powerful book. It's a graphic novel. The art is very stark, very raw. There are definitely some Manga influences to it but you also feel like you might be looking at someone's sketchbook, or a graphic diary.
This book is about friendship and love and teen sexuality and sexual identity. It reminds me of a European film whereas it's not so concerned with a story arc in the traditional sense. It doesn't have a classic beginning, inciting incident, midpoint, plot point two (all is lost) and climax. It has a beginning, and then they sort of wander around for a while, and then it has a nice ending.
To parents who may want to get this for their young adults. This is meant to be a young adult book. It's won young adult book awards. But there is a lot of strong sexual content in it. Not explicit, but there's nudity, and sex, and drug use and drinking. I think that kids might get a lot out of it. From my friends who are gay or queer I get the feeling that this is a very accurate portrayal of a lot of the stuff they went through when they were in high school. I mean adolescence and sexuality is no picnic if you're straight. I think that it's possible this might help a kid avoid some of the dangerous decisions these kids make in the book.
But if you're going to get this book for your high school age student, you should read it first. You may not think it's appropriate. And if you do think your kid can handle it you should certainly talk to them about it after they read it. But I think that's probably true for most books your kids read. But what do I know. I only have a dog. And he can't read. Well I'm pretty sure he can't read. I know he can't turn the pages too well.
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