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Never Goodnight
The cult Swedish graphic novel that inspired the critically acclaimed Lukas Moodysson film ‘We Are the Best!’
Coco, Klara and Mathilda have known each other since primary school, where they met in Folk Dancing class. Now they’re almost teenagers, and their anarchist ideals and dreams of forming a world-beating punk band set them apart from the other girls at school. They can’t play any instruments, practice with pillows and pans, and keep getting told that punk is dead. But they’re not going to let any of those things get in their way…
Published in English for the first time, Never Goodnight is a hilarious and life-affirming memoir that will remind you that all you need in life is your best friends, a can of hairspray and three guitar chords.
Coco, Klara and Mathilda have known each other since primary school, where they met in Folk Dancing class. Now they’re almost teenagers, and their anarchist ideals and dreams of forming a world-beating punk band set them apart from the other girls at school. They can’t play any instruments, practice with pillows and pans, and keep getting told that punk is dead. But they’re not going to let any of those things get in their way…
Published in English for the first time, Never Goodnight is a hilarious and life-affirming memoir that will remind you that all you need in life is your best friends, a can of hairspray and three guitar chords.
252 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
7 people are currently reading
330 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
January 16, 2016
About a year ago, my family and I found this Swedish movie called "We Are The Best!" on Netflix and decided to give it a try. The film, which is about a trio of teenage girls who decide to start a punk band, immediately became one of my favorites. It's funny, it's heartfelt, and the three young main actresses are absolutely wonderful.
After seeing the movie, I was excited to find out that it was based on this graphic novel––titled Never Goodnight. I finally got around to reading it, and I enjoyed it a lot. Like its film adaptation, it's a cute coming-of-age story; it's a funny and honest portrayal of friendship and being a teenager.
I have to say, I wasn't a huge fan of the art style, and sometimes I had difficulty telling the characters apart. And honestly, I think in some ways the film does a better job of giving the characters distinct personalities and giving the story a better structure. But over all, it's a quick and fun read and I recommend it! (And, if you couldn't tell, I highly recommend the film.)
After seeing the movie, I was excited to find out that it was based on this graphic novel––titled Never Goodnight. I finally got around to reading it, and I enjoyed it a lot. Like its film adaptation, it's a cute coming-of-age story; it's a funny and honest portrayal of friendship and being a teenager.
I have to say, I wasn't a huge fan of the art style, and sometimes I had difficulty telling the characters apart. And honestly, I think in some ways the film does a better job of giving the characters distinct personalities and giving the story a better structure. But over all, it's a quick and fun read and I recommend it! (And, if you couldn't tell, I highly recommend the film.)
November 19, 2015
The Swedish graphic novel that inspired Lukas Moodysson's film ‘We Are the Best!’ which I tend to think would be better than this memoir. It was first published in Swedish on 2008, and was released recently this year (2015) in English.
It's pretty fun, the story of how Moodyson and her two friends grew up moving from Swedish folk dancing to an interest in punk. They work hard especially on getting the hair right, of course. They dream in that spacy teenaged way of forming a punk band, but they don't know how to play the instruments, they can't afford their own, they are pretty clueless. They do get to know punk, and develop the usual fan-craziness, which is somewhat amusing. I guess it's just a portrait of three girlfriends who wanna be punk. It's light and kinda breezy and the art attractively captures the feel of the times. It's a kind of "up" nostalgic take on this period in Sweden.
It's pretty fun, the story of how Moodyson and her two friends grew up moving from Swedish folk dancing to an interest in punk. They work hard especially on getting the hair right, of course. They dream in that spacy teenaged way of forming a punk band, but they don't know how to play the instruments, they can't afford their own, they are pretty clueless. They do get to know punk, and develop the usual fan-craziness, which is somewhat amusing. I guess it's just a portrait of three girlfriends who wanna be punk. It's light and kinda breezy and the art attractively captures the feel of the times. It's a kind of "up" nostalgic take on this period in Sweden.
to-read-cant-find
November 27, 2015I really, really want to read this but obviously the language may make things difficut as the only words I (think I) know in Swedish are ones that look similar to German, which may or may not actually mean completely different things and as my German is now pretty terrible that probably still won't even be helpful in the slightest... But the film of this was amazing, so I'm hoping for a translation at some point (or a bilingual swedish friend who wants to read me the book).
April 4, 2022
Gölllig!
November 22, 2015
Ugly-cute: the only description of adolescence, and also the spirit and look of this naive graphic novel about Swedish misfit girls. The movie adaptation "We Are The Best!" is deeper, not to mention the movie that has made me laugh the most, but the source is good too.
January 1, 2024
"Nu har vi röstat om vad vårat band ska heta.
Matildas förslag Vi Drar Till Fjälls vann över mitt Spya Dig med två mot ett. Klaras förslag The Fucking Pet tycker jag faktiskt var ganska värdelöst."
<3
Matildas förslag Vi Drar Till Fjälls vann över mitt Spya Dig med två mot ett. Klaras förslag The Fucking Pet tycker jag faktiskt var ganska värdelöst."
<3
January 19, 2016
12-year-old Coco lives with her divorced mother and her 17-year-old sister Magda. Their mum’s a bit of a party animal and gives the girls a lot of freedom. Coco’s best friend since third grade is Klara. Klara’s big sister Matilda (her age is never given but it’s implied she’s very close in age) often hangs out with them, and the three of them have decided to start a punk band. None of them can play an instrument but it’s punk, so that doesn’t matter.
The story is about female friendship first and foremost, touching on a few coming-of-age moments such as trying alcohol and starting to see parents as human beings. These girls have turned to punk because they are outsiders by nature, and they’re proud of it. They’re scathing of mainstream music and they talk about politics and environmental issues. The day they first heard the Clash they all cut their hair into spikes and dyed it black. But they’re also a little socially awkward, reliant on each other because they can’t really talk to anyone else.
Music is of course hugely important to the story. I wish I knew more punk so that I could recognise some of the lyrics written liberally through the frames (I think some of it is obscure Swedish punk from the names on the records). But the girls’ punk band is just the latest in a series of hobbies these girls take up together. Because it’s music, and because of how old they are, even if the band only lasts as long as the few months covered by this book, you truly feel that it will remain important to these girls for the rest of their lives.
- See my full review: http://www.noseinabook.co.uk/2016/01/...
The story is about female friendship first and foremost, touching on a few coming-of-age moments such as trying alcohol and starting to see parents as human beings. These girls have turned to punk because they are outsiders by nature, and they’re proud of it. They’re scathing of mainstream music and they talk about politics and environmental issues. The day they first heard the Clash they all cut their hair into spikes and dyed it black. But they’re also a little socially awkward, reliant on each other because they can’t really talk to anyone else.
Music is of course hugely important to the story. I wish I knew more punk so that I could recognise some of the lyrics written liberally through the frames (I think some of it is obscure Swedish punk from the names on the records). But the girls’ punk band is just the latest in a series of hobbies these girls take up together. Because it’s music, and because of how old they are, even if the band only lasts as long as the few months covered by this book, you truly feel that it will remain important to these girls for the rest of their lives.
- See my full review: http://www.noseinabook.co.uk/2016/01/...
January 12, 2016
Look, it's weird, okay?
Never Goodnight is a Swedish graphic novel recently translated into English. It's about three girl friends growing up in 1980s Sweden who want to be in a punk band. But they're only 11/12 years old so mostly they play on pillows, pots, and pans. They do normal young people things and dream about being in a successful punk band. At the end of the day, it's really about adolescence and female friendship which are things I enjoy reading about quite a bit.
The art style fits the punk tone of the book, but isn't necessarily pleasing to the eye. There are some weird things that go on (11/12 year olds getting blackout drunk) that I'm not so sure about. I know these kinds of things go on, but it's strange to read about in a book that tends to lean toward the lighthearted. Also,there were some oddities that I chalked up to cultural differences. But who knows?
Have I reviewed this yet? Lmao. I wouldn't thrust this into just anyone's hands. If you were young and desperate to be in a bad - read it. If you want to read some translated work and enjoy female friendship overcoming the growing pains of adolescence - read it. If you need your graphic novels to be very normal with traditionally gorgeous, colorful art - avoid it.
Never Goodnight is a Swedish graphic novel recently translated into English. It's about three girl friends growing up in 1980s Sweden who want to be in a punk band. But they're only 11/12 years old so mostly they play on pillows, pots, and pans. They do normal young people things and dream about being in a successful punk band. At the end of the day, it's really about adolescence and female friendship which are things I enjoy reading about quite a bit.
The art style fits the punk tone of the book, but isn't necessarily pleasing to the eye. There are some weird things that go on (11/12 year olds getting blackout drunk) that I'm not so sure about. I know these kinds of things go on, but it's strange to read about in a book that tends to lean toward the lighthearted. Also,there were some oddities that I chalked up to cultural differences. But who knows?
Have I reviewed this yet? Lmao. I wouldn't thrust this into just anyone's hands. If you were young and desperate to be in a bad - read it. If you want to read some translated work and enjoy female friendship overcoming the growing pains of adolescence - read it. If you need your graphic novels to be very normal with traditionally gorgeous, colorful art - avoid it.
October 14, 2016
I don't really know what to say on this. Someone else called it ugly-cute and I think that's an apt description. It is undeniably cute, as children so often are. But It is also ugly. The drawing style is corse, the characters lumpy and lopsided with a tendency to be shown on the toilet or in other cringe-worthy positions. But it's about three female, punk tweens in 1982 Sweden. Nothing about them is frilly or girly or pretty and it's not supposed to be. In fact, this is a lot of what the book is about. They get significant pushback, that they don't quite understand themselves, for breaking out of that acceptable, pretty, gender norm.
For about half the book I didn't like it. I thought it was choppy and I didn't see a theme emerging. By the end however, I was brought around. It ended on a happy note and I was smiling along with it. I guess I'll have to go find the movie on Netflix now.
For about half the book I didn't like it. I thought it was choppy and I didn't see a theme emerging. By the end however, I was brought around. It ended on a happy note and I was smiling along with it. I guess I'll have to go find the movie on Netflix now.
January 6, 2016
This was quite cute and enjoyable. Really reminded me of being in my early teens, getting into punk music, and wanting a bass guitar more than anything. A quirky art style, and dialogue that sometimes broke through the fourth wall. It reminded me of a lot of the graphic novels I picked up this past semester for a graphic novel course, and I think anyone who enjoyed Walter Scott's Wendy might enjoy picking up this one too.
May 12, 2020
3.5 stars. Cute read. Would have liked a bit more depth. Not 100% a fan of the art style - couldn’t always tell characters apart (possibly that was intentional though). Probably won’t re-read. Interested to watch the film tho.
April 15, 2015
"RIKTIGA PUNKARE GÅR INTE PÅ SCOUTERNA!"
December 30, 2021
I picked this up after hearing about the film "We Are the Best" and wanting to read the source material before watching the movie. The author is the same age as me, and like her, I got into punk music about age 12 -- albeit in Washington, DC vs. Sweden. The book is about that super-awkward age of 11/12 when the adult world still sees you as a child, and you are moving into teenagerdom. The obliviousness of adults becomes more apparent, as do the social conventions you've grown up in. All that comes across very vividly, as Coco and her friends uneasily navigate that transition.
Between the chunky/ciunky artwork and the episodic nature of the narrative, the book is better at conveying a mood than any particular story Coco and friends discover punk music and are instantly transformed, with ideas of starting their own band (largely unrealized) and connecting with other Swedish punks (also largely unrealized). Interest in boys picks up, and again, the book does a good job of capturing the inner confusion of that transitional age where one can become alienated from one's own past. I can't say that I particularly enjoyed it (especially the artwork, which just isn't to my taste), but it has to be respected for nailing a certain type of kid at a certain time of life. Readers with overlapping interests in coming-of-age stories, graphic novels, and punk should probably at least give it a shot.
Between the chunky/ciunky artwork and the episodic nature of the narrative, the book is better at conveying a mood than any particular story Coco and friends discover punk music and are instantly transformed, with ideas of starting their own band (largely unrealized) and connecting with other Swedish punks (also largely unrealized). Interest in boys picks up, and again, the book does a good job of capturing the inner confusion of that transitional age where one can become alienated from one's own past. I can't say that I particularly enjoyed it (especially the artwork, which just isn't to my taste), but it has to be respected for nailing a certain type of kid at a certain time of life. Readers with overlapping interests in coming-of-age stories, graphic novels, and punk should probably at least give it a shot.
May 14, 2024
I don't know who is rating this anything below 5 stars. This is a quality graphic novel that is maybe slightly better than the film adaptation We Are the Best! (which is a feat because the movie is great). The author's style is idiosyncratic and consistent, and the writing is good. It evokes a time of carefree, angry and rebellious young adulthood - it's a beautiful thing. Also, after reading other Goodreads reviews that call the artwork "chunky" or "clunky" (which it is, compared to sleeker and less arty mainstream graphic novels), I'd say it was ahead of its time. Published over fifteen years ago at this point, you go to any alternative comics show today and see a lot of work that looks like this but has significantly worse storytelling and drawing.
November 12, 2022
Another exquisite auto graphical piece!
Coco retells her adolescence in the 80’s with her friends Klara & Matilda (Klara’s older sister) as they try to start a band, to help stop punk from dying!
Often comical and wholesome - behind the banter of the characters is a deep meaning - trying to find who you are in the world.
This graphic novel explores family troubles, friendship, social justice, teen angst! and many other themes as well.
The graphics themselves I absolutely adored as they were edgy and simplistic <3
Wishing I had a cool friendship group like this :(
Coco retells her adolescence in the 80’s with her friends Klara & Matilda (Klara’s older sister) as they try to start a band, to help stop punk from dying!
Often comical and wholesome - behind the banter of the characters is a deep meaning - trying to find who you are in the world.
This graphic novel explores family troubles, friendship, social justice, teen angst! and many other themes as well.
The graphics themselves I absolutely adored as they were edgy and simplistic <3
Wishing I had a cool friendship group like this :(
February 17, 2019
I saw the film based on this graphic novel, We Are the Best, five years ago. The graphic novel isn't quite the same. The film gave characteristics from some characters to others in order to amplify the conflict, and in the process made the girls seem like better musicians. The spirit of the graphic novel and the film are the same, though--the moment of adolescence when the adults' dorkiness and hypocrisy are the most obvious. I guess as the parent of an adolescent I liked it.
February 3, 2021
I have never ever read a book that so perfectly captured what my early teenage years were actually like. Coco, Mathilda, and Klara are 12 and 13 in Sweden in the early 80s, but it still hits eerily close. They find punk music and decide they must be in a band, that they ARE in a band. They have no instruments, no money, and no idea how to play, but they know that they’re a band. Every chapter was perfect. I want to watch the movie!
January 15, 2019
i bought this novel brand-new for $1 at strand bookstore a couple days ago, and read it all in one night. never saw a graphic novel like this before. perfect mix of realness, confusion about identity as a teenager, and how strong the love of friendship is. originally bought it for my younger sister, but i think i'll wait a couple years lol. really cute.
October 15, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyable, grasps the essence of what it may have felt like to be a thirteen-year-old punk girl in the early eighties, even though I have no means to cross-reference the rhetoric. Regardless, it felt true and honest, really immersive, wish there were more of it.
It may seem a bit contradictory, but the movie felt a bit more coherent, had much more of an arch to it. But life doesn't always have an arch or any direction whatsoever.
It may seem a bit contradictory, but the movie felt a bit more coherent, had much more of an arch to it. But life doesn't always have an arch or any direction whatsoever.
October 29, 2017
i think coco is me and i am coco. it is kind of sad haha her mood after coming home after meeting those punk boys is literally my WHOLE LIFE
April 7, 2018
Breezed right through this in no time flat. An enjoyable coming-of-age punk rock story, even if there are several parts that I think only really make sense in the original Swedish.
June 24, 2018
I found the movie to be a bit more enjoyable, but this is still a pretty cute story.
June 20, 2021
Liked the story, hated the art.
June 15, 2022
3.75 stars
August 23, 2022
I've never heard of this or the movie based on it, but it's OK if you're into graphic memoirs of youth.
Read
October 22, 2022<3
October 29, 2023
Loved this, it was sweet and wholesome! Looking forward to checking out the movie!
January 10, 2026
I wish I could give this book to 13 year old me, and 18 year old me and maybe even 23 year old me. Current me loved it too, but I mostly loved how much younger me would have been obsessed with it.
December 19, 2024
Never Goodnight by Coco Moodysson is a Swedish graphic novel about the lives of three teenage girls during the heights of punk rock music in the 1980s. The girls form a bond based on their shared desire for self-expression, rejecting societal expectations in favor of their own identities. It focuses on their rebellious nature, personal struggles, and the challenges of growing up in a conservative society. I really enjoyed this story and it's simple but effective illustrative style.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews