Reality Check

For Better or For Worse #22

by Lynn Johnston

They say life is what happens while you're busy making other plans. And in the latest update of the Patterson family, life is "happening" and a few new realities have set in. Still adjusting to their status as newlyweds, Mike and Deanna find that two cannot live as cheaply as one, and then learn an unexpected baby is on the way. After discovering that her live-in boyfriend was cheating on her, Elizabeth swaps steady date for blank slate. And Grandpa Jim catches everyone (including himself) off-guard when he and Iris elope to England. Life, it seems, always has a new surprise in store. Lynn Johnston has been bringing life to the Patterson clan for nearly 25 years, and for readers of more than 2,000 newspapers around the world, life just wouldn't seem right without her daily dispatch. This is the magic of For Better of For it is real life at its most realistic. Like real life, it is unpredictable, enlightening, heartwarming, honest, sometimes sad, and often very funny. Reality Check gives readers more of what they've come to expect from Johnston's beloved a sense of connection, a shared intimacy with a family as familiar as their own, and a front-row seat to the enduring, endearing comic saga called life. Like the many For Better or For Worse collections that have preceded it, Reality Check is sure to resonate with fans around the world.

Genres: Comics, Humor, Graphic Novels Comics, Graphic Novels, Comedy, Fiction, Canada

136 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2003

About the author

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

Reviews

[Adrian Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always thought of the Pattersons as the neighbors. I started reading the strip when I was a kid and was faithful to the end. I have the entire collection and I read it every few years. It's a classic!

[Jeremiah Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, after the last one, I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happens with Liz, that issue was resolved but at the end of this one I’m still wondering WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN TO LIZ!!!???

This was a fun collection, I felt the humor wasn’t as strong as other For Better or For Worse, so that’s why it gets the three stars but lots of good stuff.

Favorite characters: Liz, Grandpa, Mrs. Saltzman, April

As always, the art is impressive, I love seeing what Johnston does to express so many different feelings in so many different characters. This one, I thought she did some fun things with how she drew hands.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

As you might gather from the cover, Mike and Deena having a baby is the big event in this run; meanwhile Elizabeth finally ditches her boyfriend. Johnston continues in good form.

[The other John · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this For Better or For Worse collection Michael & Deanna face the reality of married life, Elly deals with a theft at her store, Elizabeth discovers the truth about her boyfriend Eric, and Grandpa Jim moves out. (Not because of Elizabeth's boyfriend, but because... oh, just read it yourself.) April and John pretty much hang in the background, playing the straight man or providing punchlines as needed. As far as strip development, the writing is okay--nothing spectacular or heinous. Michael's storyline seems a bit sparse. After years of being involved in his schooling and social life, we only get an occasional strip of him at work or out with his friends. Elizabeth picks up the slack somewhat, but I guess she comes across as a weaker character and her storyline is not as satisfying. Ah, well. The book is still worth a read.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

funny!

[Rain ((A 1,000 yrs of nothing, it’s a heartbeat, I’ve never been ready.)) · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best!

[Child960801 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael and Deanna find out that they are expecting a baby. Elly has a robbery at the store. Elizabeth confronts her boyfriend. Jim moves to be closer to Iris.