Meanwhile in San Francisco: The City in its Own Words

by Wendy MacNaughton

Take a stroll through the City by the Bay with renowned artist Wendy MacNaughton in this collection of illustrated documentaries. With her beloved city as a backdrop, a sketchbook in hand, and a natural sense of curiosity, MacNaughton spent months getting to know people in their own neighborhoods, drawing them and recording their words. Her street-smart graphic journalism is as diverse and beautiful as San Francisco itself, ranging from the vendors at the farmers' market to people combing the shelves at the public library, from MUNI drivers to the bison of Golden Gate Park, and much more. Meanwhile in San Francisco offers both lifelong residents and those just blowing through with the fog an opportunity to see the city with new eyes.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Graphic Novels, Travel, Comics, History, Adult

176 pages, Paperback

First published February 18, 2014

About the author

Wendy MacNaughton is an illustrator and a graphic journalist based in San Francisco. Her documentary series Meanwhile tells the stories of communities through drawings and the subject's own words, and is being published as an anthology by Chronicle Books in 2014. She's illustrated two other forthcoming books: Lost Cat: A True Story of Love, Desperation, and GPS Technology, by Caroline Paul and Wendy MacNaughton (Bloomsbury, 2013) and The Essential Scratch & Sniff Guide to Wine, by Richard Betts (Houghton Mifflin, 2013).

She has degrees in fine art/advertising and social work from Art Center College of Design and Columbia University. When they let her, she likes to talk with students at Art Center College of Design, and she is an artist in residence at Intersection for the Arts.

Source: wendymacnaughton.com.

Reviews

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fog is my favorite weather. On the page opposite the title page, there are simply 16 paint marks with the caption "sample of sf skies" and 1 is blue, 1 is pink, 1 is black, and 13 are varying shades of gray. Ha! It’s my favorite page in the book, but much of it is good. I really like the art in this art heavy book, and the segments and people of San Francisco covered are interesting. Great idea!

[Julie Ehlers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meanwhile in San Francisco was maddening and ultimately disappointing. Illustrator Wendy MacNaughton took to the streets of SF, interviewing and sketching various residents of the city, and the results are reproduced here. The stories the people have to tell are mostly quite interesting, but the art leaves a lot to be desired. Most notably, the vast majority of the people are sketched against a plain white backdrop—the distinctive cityscape is almost completely lost, and along with it the true sense of place I was expecting. In some cases, the art seems bafflingly halfhearted: In a drawing of several men on computer terminals in the SF library, for instance, the background is entirely plain white, and above each man is the word "computer," with an arrow pointing to a space in front of him. That's it! How that is supposed to be an image of anything besides a row of men's backs is beyond me. Having said that, some of the more involved drawings—people's faces, a burrito (yum), maps of the city and the main library—were lovely and fun to look at. Those, combined with the stories being told, bump the book up a star for me, but it's hard not to feel that this could have been so much better.

[Elizabeth A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books like this and wish there was one for every city. The thing about travel guides is that while they are chockful of information, they are often rather antiseptic as well, and they have to be I guess. In this delightful book, the author captures a sample of the people and neighborhoods of San Francisco, using gorgeous pen and watercolor illustrations, and snippets of dreams. Do not expect an all encompassing guide to the city, but if you are in the mood for a whimsical travelogue, give this one a try.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this really moving. I’ve loved San Francisco (2002 - 2006), loathed it (2007 - 2013), and settled into indifference (2014 - 2019). Recently I started feeling warmly toward it again; this book helped. But it’s a snapshot of a version of the city that doesn’t exist anymore and somehow feels better than the current one. But also, lamenting the change in San Francisco is a chronic condition and I doubt many people are nostalgic for the 2014 version.

[Shankar · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing illustrated work on exactly what the book cover says. A lot of fun to read. Exactly what the city personifies. And the images it brings up on mention of its very name. Its ground realities however are very different though. Literally a guided tour from a different lens and very interestingly informative.

I happened to be in SFO while reading it so have understood this from really close quarters.

Candid illustrations and unaffected language of the text.

[reading is my hustle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I love San Francisco so there is that. I think though that whether you have lived in San Francisco your whole life or just like visiting there is something to enjoy in this book. And those illustrations. Perfection.

[Ken Yuen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cool and relatable. Love the quote "I'm paid $30 an hour. $1 to drive and $29 to deal with people " the library and Chinatown stuff is relatable too

[Gauri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure that this book did much for me. The art and the tone of the writing were charming, but the substance wasn’t really there. I would have appreciated some background history or greater explanation on the people and the places so that I could know what I’m looking at. The author did have some paragraphs here and there but for the most part, I didn’t really feel like I learned much about San Francisco. Perhaps that was the point — maybe this was just a quick collection of impressions of San Francisco and not meant to be an in-depth look at the people of the city. As a Bay Area native who visits San Francisco occasionally, I still don’t know much about the culture and the history. I recognized the people and their actions that the author captured from my time wandering the city, but I didn’t get much more of a glimpse into their lives than that. Maybe that’s what I expected — a brief look into different people’s lives, focusing on how they live and what drives them. That’s a book I’d like to read.

[TJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute in a lot of ways, but more detail and depth would have been nice. I live in SF so I know this place pretty well.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only does Wendy MacNaughton capture the city beautifully with her artwork, she does so also through the voice of the city itself. Filled with stories told by San Franciscans of various walks of life, MacNaughton's book is a treasure for natives and tourists alike. Unlike a Lonely Planet or a Fodor's, MacNaughton doesn't just list the neighborhoods and what you can find in them. She treats each neighborhood as a character, filled with hopes and dreams, a past and a future. One comes away from reading "Meanwhile in San Francisco" with an understanding of how quickly the city has changed, some for the better and some, in the case of neighborhoods such as between 5th and 6th streets, for the worst.

Whether positive or negative, there is no denying that San Francisco is a city filled with voices, each one saying something different, while at the same time proclaiming its love for the city we call home.

[dianne b. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply brilliant. i have lived in San Francisco for 31 years and no one has ever come as close to capturing the city as Wendy MacNaughton in this book. Maybe it's the combination of her fantastic drawings / paintings (pen and ink with watercolour) with her spot-on writing. But in a city of a endless choices, she knew exactly what to focus on to capture its kidnapped soul. The distribution of pages (more important => more pages) was just right.
And who, but a real San Franciscan, perhaps the city's therapist, would know to end with Frank Chu, his mis-buttoned shirt and gronollion zillion galaxies?
If i ever leave for good i'll bring this book and have the city with me.

[Sonja · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't anything like what I expected. Having been born in San Francisco and lived there again for a couple of years in my 20s, I was excited when I first was aware of this book and I ordered it right away. I'll give you it's cute. And different. And has some interesting facts in it. The drawings are OK. It gives one food for thought. But, I was disappointed. I wasn't "amazed" like I feel when I'm in SF and when I think about the times when I lived there. Maybe I'll read it again and see if I missed something.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriguing drawing style and I like how so much can be shown in just a few lines. Unfortunately, I found her writing rather hard to read, especially as it moved even further into the scribble-range. But I don't know that much about San Francisco, so I probably missed out something there.

Did love the library section, of course! Although, that many floors looks rather intimidating.

[Michael J Rogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent illustrations and unique perspective into my fave city provide a view into authentic SF experiences. The included poster and many of the sketches within are suitable for framing. A work of art!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

MacNaughton is probably one of my favourite illustrators and San Francisco is easily one of my favourite cities, so this book was a total treat.

[Maggie Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love San Francisco, and I loved this. Sweet drawings and observations about the city, and I learned a few things. Wendy is our own Maira Kalman.

[Amrita Srikanth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sections about the SF library, 6th street, and the farmers market were lovely to read.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun graphic sketchbook about the different neighborhoods and people in SF. It felt realistic and natural and I liked that she went with unique places (6th and Market) and spent less time on the better known parts of town. Her drawing style is very rough shaky sketch but it works for these kinds of real people/real life drawings. Quick read, fun to look through.

[Nicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this in San Francisco as a way to think about San Francisco while I’m in it. I love this city. MacNaughton does a great job of capturing little snapshots of the City and stretching them out for old and new lovers of the City (or people just getting acquainted) to understand little snippets. I love her artwork and storytelling!

[Yulia Tell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book to enjoy with a cup of coffee and a blanket on a cloudy day. Fun vignettes of San Francisco and people in it. You would enjoy it if you like visual books with some accompanying text - but do not expect this to be a city guide not to be disappointed.

[Helen Driver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me want to be back there right now!

[Relyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered podcasts last summer and have spent at least three hundred hours listening since then. One of my newer discoveries is the podcast Hurry Slowly hosted by Jocelyn K. Glei. On one episode she interviewed Wendy MacNaughton who spoke, among other things, about listening well. I was impressed with her and curious about her work, so I requested my library borrow this book for me. God bless our library system - this book arrived in southwest Missouri from the Denver Public Library. For free. WOW! Anyway...

I enjoyed Meanwhile in San Francisco very much. (I've noticed I always love books published by Chronicle Books.) San Francisco is one of my favorite cities. I love water color. I love illustrated books for adults. And, I really love the way Wendy let the people speak for themselves. My favorite pages were these: the color swatches of San Francisco skies and the portrait of America's only social worker employed by a library to meet the needs of homeless patrons.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

humorous & real portrait of SF in 2014. Made me want to visit SF & see the Bison, which I never knew about, despite visiting SF many times & having many ties there. Also reminded me I haven't visited in a while, despite living only a couple hours away by transit. The part about the library made me want to visit a Library (despite having just gotten this book from one). I could read this book again right now. With all that's happened in the Bay Area just in the past 5 years, wonder how different MacNaughton's portrait would be if she drew it now?

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not from San Francisco and I have only travelled there once. I enjoyed the art, storytelling, and learning more about the places and people that make the community. The way the author captured the charm of the communities that live and thrive in it -- I felt this book made it all feel alive to the reader. Perhaps there are more untold stories or places to uncover, but it is also up to us to continue to explore and immerse ourselves in the places we are in, and to tell those stories ourselves as well.

[ricardo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m let down. Especially finding out Macnaughton is from SF. (According to Google and Google never lies!) The book felt like if a “WOKE” person was trying to tell us something. And while a part of the message is clear, it failed to really capture it. Even two whole different worlds, one street apart, have more in common (and just as many, and shocking, differences) than the SF library. I was bored and then it got interesting only to get bored again.

[Sally Van Horn · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who has never been to San Francisco, I’m walking away from this one with a feeling that I’ve just seen an authentic glimpse. The personality of the city comes across strong from the start. I’m a huge fan of Wendy’s illustrations and these did not disappoint! I love that you can tell they were drawn in the moment — there’s so much life in them! Her commentary on her observations is unparalleled.

[Bambi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super quick read about one of my favorite cities. This book is beautifully illustrated and super charming. I was surprised by some of the stories that were left out, and wondered about the intentions of the author (no bridges? no landmarks?) But I still found it interesting and even learned a thing or two!

[Ingrid Angelica Custodio · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was lovely. 🥺 I am soooo happy I found this book at our local book store and I got it at such a cheap price. Reading this made me miss San Francisco and also made me realize how very little I've seen of the city. This is a new reading experience for me since it's 90% sketches 10% words, but still, I enjoyed this book, especially the last part. 💖

[matteo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartfelt book of illustrations about parts of the City by the Bay. Sometimes quaint, sometimes folksy, sometimes hipster, it gives brief glimpses of pockets of the city and its people. It can be whimsical but also realistic. I recognized some places and people, while others are areas I rarely frequent. Still, I enjoy anything that provides a portrait of the city, in all its glory and grime.

[MK · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a documentary piece with illustrations about the residents and workers of San Francisco. I enjoyed the brain streaming style of drawing mind maps.

Although she is a good illustrator, I couldn't really get a sense of the atmosphere of San Francisco, probably because there was no background in his drawings.