Amazing Grapes: A Graphic Novel – A Whimsical Brother and Sister Quest into a Weird Dimension for Children

by Jules Feiffer

From acclaimed author-illustrator Jules Feiffer comes a surreal and affecting new graphic novel, full of offbeat humor and wordplay, about the power of language and the passage of time.

Pulitzer Prize–winning cartoonist Jules Feiffer brings the fantastical to life with his signature style in this zany, whimsical adventure about a family on a quest to find their mother and save another dimension.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy, Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Graphic Novels Comics

296 pages, Paperback

Published September 24, 2024

About the author

Jules Feiffer was an American cartoonist, playwright, screenwriter, and author whose work left a significant imprint on American satire and cultural commentary. Emerging from the postwar era of newspaper comics, he first gained recognition through his long-running comic strip published in The Village Voice, where his loose, expressive line drawings and psychologically sharp dialogue captured the anxieties, contradictions, and social performances of contemporary life. Feiffer used humor to critique politics, relationships, and everyday neuroses, developing a voice that felt conversational, self-aware, and deeply engaged with the shifting cultural moods of the United States. His graphic style, which often emphasized gesture and tone over detailed renderings, was equally distinctive, and helped expand the visual vocabulary of editorial and literary cartooning. Beyond his cartoons, Feiffer became an accomplished writer for stage and screen; his play Little Murders offered a darkly comic exploration of violence and alienation in urban America, while his screenplay for Mike Nichols’s film Carnal Knowledge drew widespread attention for its unflinching examination of intimacy and desire. Feiffer also wrote children’s books, including the popular The Phantom Tollbooth, for which he provided the illustrations that helped establish the book’s imaginative visual identity. He demonstrated an enduring commitment to making art accessible, engaging with students and general audiences alike through teaching and public appearances, and continued producing work across multiple genres throughout his life. His comics and writings were often autobiographical in spirit, even when fictionalized, providing commentary on his experiences growing up in New York and moving through decades of cultural change. Feiffer received numerous honors for his contributions to American arts, including major awards recognizing his innovation in cartooning, his influence on graphic storytelling, and his impact on theater and film. His later work included longer-form graphic novels and personal memoirs, reflecting on childhood, family, and the evolution of his artistic voice. Feiffer remained an active and inquisitive creator well into his later years, consistently exploring new creative forms and responding to contemporary political and social issues. His legacy is seen in the work of generations of cartoonists and writers who drew inspiration from his willingness to bring emotional depth, social critique, and literary ambition to comics and satire. Feiffer’s work stands as a testament to the power of humor to illuminate the complexities of human behavior and the cultural forces that shape everyday life.

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have not read many graphic novels but found Amazing Grapes to be odd and only mildly entertaining. The story of children in the midst of family chaos with parents leaving and a mother seemingly in her own world being carted off by fictional creatures provides a bit of an escape, yet is too drawn out and rather pointless. This ARC was provided to me by #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just odd, but I’m a Feiffer fan. (Especially A Barrel of Laughs and his offbeat picture books.) But yeah, this one is really pretty weird and maybe a bit nihilistic.

[Starr ❇✌❇ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really, really weird and I have pretty much no idea how I feel about it! If it had more narrative structure it probably would have reminded me of The Phantom Tollbooth, and did make me think about that era when it came to the surprising amount of violence and just non-sugar coated moments (like their dead leaving the family and then the kids winding up in 'Meanieworld,' where everyone is inexplicably their dad and there is no greater lesson here). There were definitely some moments I find odd in a delighting way, but there were also a lot of confused bits I muddled through, and then a lot of bickering in between which I got tired of quickly. I will say, I enjoyed how the whole family got involved instead of the trope if the sole child (or even two isolated children), and I expected Shirley to be played as unsympathetic and bad, or not matter at all, and wound up thinking she was hilarious and very clearly the best character.

[Ella Karp · Rating 2 out of 5]

(1.5 ⭐)


I wish this book had been better than it was. Part of the problem was that the art style felt messy and unfinished, like a draft. There was one character who looked like an outline that was scribbled on. I could've gotten over the art style, since I get that every artist has their own style, but with everything else added on, I just couldn't get past it. One of those things was the plot. Although the storyline started okay, after that it just felt like the author wrote down everything that popped in their head. It felt even farther out than a fantasy book should. I also disliked the fact that the book didn't have page numbers, which made it hard to keep my place. Additionally, this book was hard to follow, because it switched between characters quickly and I found myself confused over who's part it was. It was hard to tell because many characters had a similar background, and their faces didn't have many features to differentiate them. I would've preferred each chapter to show whose part we were in.

Aside from all of this, it was a quick read and I could appreciate the characters backstories. I could also appreciate the creativity that this book had, which made it a very unique read.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a strange portal fantasy! Two children go to a weird fantasy land that their mother came from. Feiffer's artwork is fully of unsteady lines that lends to the surreal nature of this adventure. The handlettering also made it a bit difficult to read.

[Liz · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have no idea what I just read. According to professional reviews, it's amazing, full of allegory and metaphor. That's not a kid's book. Also, just use a font, not messy handwriting. It's an acid trip/Alice in Wonderland.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read my mini-review HERE.

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a DNF at 4%. The story starts off with the father, leaving the children, the mom spaced out, lost in her own little world, and then chapter 2 has the mom telling the kids is going to be a new daddy. I’m just not in a mood for something that seems so depressing. Add to that the art style looks like something that came from a semi talented high school student before they’ve had a lot of practice. Maybe this book is amazing like the cover says it is but I have no desire to find out.

[Rick Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing Grapes is the latest (and unfortunately, the last) comic from acclaimed cartoonist Jules Feiffer, who drew and wrote every page despite being in his early-to-mid nineties. Feiffer utilizes a similar archetype of character in his work - maladjusted and eccentric adults who find themselves struggling through even the most mundane of scenarios. It was a winning formula that got through various strips released over the decades, and here Feiffer repurposes the character into the mother of three children - Shirley, Pearlie and Curly. The narrative mostly follows the latter two kids, but the mother ("Mommy") and Shirley are critical towards the bizarre setup of the story. What begins as a family cruelly abandoned by a negligent father soon dovetails into a fantastical story of a giant two-headed swan taking Pearlie and Curly away into a new adventure. The leads all go on some ambiguous adventure where the initial premise seems a little lost, but all seems mostly allegorical towards the more trivial matter at hand of a family adjusting to a new life. The title of this refers to a silly rendition of the National Anthem that the kids sing - though I personally kept filling in the lyrics used in the Weird Al biopic film from a couple years back.

The story is rather nonsensical, but it works in Feiffer's own style. His jagged linework and frenetic lettering only heightens the absurdity of the narrative, and though it isn't the same sharp work from decades prior, the skill degree is still very much apparent. I can't say I really connected with much of this, and I'm not sure the intended audience of middle school aged kids and younger would either given the rather more mature setup to the narrative, but it was still engaging enough to applaud the near 300 page effort put forth here.

R.I.P. Jules Feiffer. One of the very best to ever put pen to paper.

[SOYAMRG · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this graphic novel, Jules Feiffer’s first, three kids–Shirley, Pearlie, and Curly–watch their father leave and tell them he’s not coming back. Their mother is in a daze, watching out the window, and ignores them. The kids are worried not because of these circumstances, but because they need the car their father took to get to school and to see their friends. Then a year later, their mother announces she is getting remarried to a man with three children younger than they are.

It wasn’t a good start for this reader, who wants emotions to be recognized and adults to be less cruel/lost in a book for middle grade readers. The story goes everywhere, with seemingly unconnected events involving other dimensions, a giant, two-headed swan, a baby monster who wants to eat them, and much more.

The song “Amazing Grapes” is a loose and jubilant variation of “Amazing Grace.”

While I enjoy much of what Jules Feiffer has written, I was confused and annoyed by this book.

D.B.
Ret. YS Librarian

[Shaun M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Your enjoyment of this book will very much depend on not only your tolerance for nonsense literature, but whether or not you're particularly attached to traditional narrative. This is like a nonsense poem in graphic novel form. There's no real cohesive story as it sort of moves from one dream-like sequence to another. At times, the story has hints of The Phantom Tollbooth, but even more abstract and a bit darker. I adored the art and use of color. At times it seems almost frantic, which plays well with the meandering and chaotic narrative.

This review from the New York Journal of Books seems apt, "Some readers will find this all hard to follow. Others will take it page by page for what each offers and enjoy the ride. Younger readers may quickly get lost in the manic energy. Those who persevere will find the ending uplifting, a hymn not to religious salvation but another way to find one's sense of self."

I'd give the story (such as it is) either 3 or 3.5 stars, while the art a 5, landing it at a solid four for me.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Graphic Novel
I received an electronic ARC from HarperCollins Children's Books through NetGalley.
My expectations were so much higher for a Feiffer book. I expected the offbeat style but this felt like a disconnected series of wanderers who never did resolve anything. The dad left to start the story and the we jump a year to mom finding a new man and planning to move the three children with her to a new place. After that, readers journeyed into other dimensions where the kids never changed. The brother and sister remained the same and didn't learn much from their adventures. The mom was portrayed as vapid and indecisive, and the oldest sister seemed to live her life in our dimension and grow up and away from the rest of them. The song woven through doesn't really have meaning (which could well be Feiffer's point).
Others may enjoy this more but it was a rare miss for me with his writings.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very, very weird. This doesn't follow a normal story arc with imperfect characters trying to be good (though maybe some will relate to how Pearly is consistently grumpy and off-putting) and a consistent setting. The various characters and creatures spend a lot of time talking and wandering around the multiple dimensions and being either grumpy or confused. Adults who read this will perhaps get into the philosophy of it (like "The Little Prince"), kids who read it will perhaps really get into the weirdness of it. It will help readers a bit if they are familiar with the hymn "Amazing Grace" so they know the tune to sing "Amazing Grapes" to, but that isn't absolutely necessary. Don't give this to younger kids, but maybe to a weird middle schooler?

[Michelle Tuite · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading 2024
Book 211: Amazing Grapes by Jules Feiffer

Saw this on a list of must read graphic novels in 2024. Was able to grab this at the library.

Synopsis: From acclaimed author-illustrator Jules Feiffer comes a surreal and affecting new graphic novel, full of offbeat humor and wordplay, about the power of language and the passage of time.

Review: Ummm, what did I read here??? This book was weird from start to finish, I get what the author was trying to do with the word play and such, but it did not work for me at all. Don’t worry Erik Peterson I will not try to share this one with you. My rating 2⭐️.

[Maryanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is tailor-made for a certain young reader. But I think it would also appeal to many fans of Pilkey as they grow-up (although I think it's a touch too long for many of them potentially).

It's weird and offbeat - a touch of Dahl, a touch of Phantom Tollbooth, but also got it's own distinctly Feiffer-esque quality to it. Illustrations are insane and wonderful. I'm not sure I got the whole thing and I admittedly got a little fatigued of it in the end but definitely worth a read or a skim or a look.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted this to be Phantom Tollbooth, which Feiffer had illustrated but - of course - it wasn't because Norton Juster wrote PT. It seemed as if Feiffer had an idea and just illustrated page after page about it but never got out of first gear. The song makes no sense, one sibling ends up with a fiance who's a total stick in the mud - it's a muddled story that seems to make no sense. Sigh. Where, oh where, was Tick the watchdog who went Tock and the Mathemagician and Milo, the boy who had nothing to do, and all the rest. Oh, what I wouldn't give for a Threadbare Excuse!

[Ralph B · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the whimsical illustrations of this graphic novel were pure imagination, the storyline seemed a fever dream that lost my interest quickly. After first starting it, I decided to not rush through and let the characters, illustrations and themes sink in for a while. Give it some time, I thought. Maybe I was the one being obtuse and missing something, unable to understand Feiffer's dreamy, more like nightmarish, journey of a mother and her 3 kids all abandoned by a father, yet all connected by a parody of the hymn Amazing Grace.

[Deborah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to read this because of Feiffer, whose Village Voice strips were the first thing I turned to in that paper. This was a bit of a struggle for me until I dropped my adult gaze about 1/2 way through and enjoyed the completely craziness of the fantasy (a rarely read genre) - really fun dialogue between the younger two siblings. I wonder how popular it is with the middle grade crowd it’s intended for?

[Nancy · Rating 1 out of 5]

In the beginning I thought this might be about grief and maybe it was, but the ending didn’t work for me. At all. And I grew weary of the strange, senseless story along the way.

Yet another book from this Best Children's Books that I struggle to understand who the audience is? Would 8 or 10 year olds find this amusing? I have no idea.

I saw a list of The New York Times Best Children’s Books of 2024 and thought that would make a fun little reading challenge. Hmmm, not so much.

[kellymross · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book will stick with me becuase I'm not entirely sure what happened! So four stars for expanding my thinking. I kept hoping for an ending that I could wrap my head around, but that didn't really happen either. The book takes the reader on a wild ride. Thanks to NetGalley for an early copy.

[Erin]

I made it to chapter 6: Meanyopolis before deciding that I was not in the right headspace for this one. It felt like I needed to be ready for wild poetry, but instead I was too tired and lacking in patience for this energetic trip to an alternate dimension on the back of a two-headed swan.

Sorry, Amazing Grapes.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure: we shared Feiffer's books with our own boys as well as with students in the late 90s/early Ohs. Very sentimental memories. Meanwhile. I lost my bear. Daddy mountain. Bark George. So thrilled to see a new book and BONUS, it's an MG GN. It's perfectly nonsensical with new memorable characters like the two-headed swan and the apologetic ghosts.

[Ryan Miller · Rating 1 out of 5]

Jules Feiffer has written or illustrated some of my favorite books, like The Daddy Mountain or The Phantom Tollbooth. And, actually, Amazing Grapes reminded me of a Phantom Tollbooth minus structure, planning and editing. Despite my love for absurdity, randomness and wordplay, this wasn’t at all worth the short time it took to read it.

[Mitchell Wright]

I really liked this! My favor for Jules might be influencing my opinion, but I really think there's something special about committing so hard to a style. EVERYTHING in this book is messy. The plot, the characters, and the drawings are all made with the freedom and passion of a child, and it is clear that Jules has devoted his entire life towards honing that blade. A life well spent, I say!

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 1 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I couldn't even make it all the way through. And that's something I never say about a graphic novel. I was hopeful that I'd love this as much as I do Bark George (my absolute favorite storytime go to)

But here I was distracted by the fonts used (reminded me of messy handwriting), a BIZARRE story, and the oddest spoof of Amazing Grace I have ever read

Nope not a fan of this.

[Fiona · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nope. The art is in the unique style of Jules Feiffer which would be fine if the story wasn't as intangible as his art. This is not for children or adults really. It reads like a boring circuitous fever dream.

[Lauredhel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pet peeve time: I beg of you, graphic novel creators, either get a professional letterer or just use an off-the-shelf readable typeface. I don't mind reading the odd hot mess of a story, but when the lettering itself is a hot mess also, it's a no from me. I'm not interested in your first draft.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is fascinating; some lovely and some overwhelming. I’m not sure I grasped the story exactly. The story takes place (supposedly) in a number of different dimensions, with some very peculiar characters, some of whom are rather mean. Definitely fits my definition of surreal.

[Paula Lyle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this disappointing. The story is nonsensical, which I expected, but it's not very much fun. Lots of complaining, lots of arguing, who needs that? Maybe I'm just too old. I'll give it to my grandson and see what he thinks.

[Mirele Kessous · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just beyond zany. The zaniest thing you could ever read. Hand this to fans of Monty Python and the absurd. I didn't give it five stars because at times it is super messy and hard to read.