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For Better or For Worse: The Complete Library #5
For Better or For Worse: The Complete Library, Vol. 5
Collect the beloved newspaper comic strip that chronicles the saga of the Patterson family in real time, over three decades, in these definitive editions. This volume features one of the most beloved stories in the strip's history–the saga of Farley, the family dog. When little April gets into big trouble, it is up to Farley to come to her rescue. But that isn't the only big event in the lives of the Pattersons. Michael heads off to college while Elizabeth navigates her teen years. Back at home, Elly and John deal with adult problems such as house renovations and menopause. Lynn Johnston keeps the ongoing narrative fresh and interesting. Includes every comic strip from April 25, 1993 to August 31, 1996. Each volume also contains annotations by Lynn Johnston detailing motivations for certain strips, funny anecdotes, reactions from fans, and much more!
- GenresComics
544 pages, Hardcover
Published January 12, 2021
50 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Johnston
143 books134 followersLynn 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.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 23, 2022
This is a strip I'm aware of, if not entirely familiar with, so when one of the bigger collections came available I grabbed it.
It's a much bigger strip in the Americas than it is over here, and it's the sort of slice of life strip we don't really do. There's a sweet gentle humour to it, mostly around April, who is 4 going on 5. The actual ageing during the strip is again something we don't tend to do over here. I may need to go backwards and read the earlier ones
It's a much bigger strip in the Americas than it is over here, and it's the sort of slice of life strip we don't really do. There's a sweet gentle humour to it, mostly around April, who is 4 going on 5. The actual ageing during the strip is again something we don't tend to do over here. I may need to go backwards and read the earlier ones
June 20, 2021
They keep growing up!
Not every comic is a winner but Lynn Johnston’s family keeps living and loving. I cry a bit more than I laugh but some of those tears are from happiness. This is volume 5 of an anticipated 9. I expect to relove each volume as they appear.
Not every comic is a winner but Lynn Johnston’s family keeps living and loving. I cry a bit more than I laugh but some of those tears are from happiness. This is volume 5 of an anticipated 9. I expect to relove each volume as they appear.
August 23, 2021
This was likely my favorite volume. So. Much. Happens. From Farley to Mike and everyone else in the strip. Can't wait for the next volume!
May 27, 2021
But rereading the Farley story line? 😭😭😭😭
February 2, 2021
The latest edition in the Complete Library collection for Lynn Johnston's For Better or for Worse comic strip takes readers on yet another endlessly entertaining and satisfying look back at the Patterson family.
Things are changing in this volume. John and Elly are growing older and aren't really happy about it (particularly Elly), Michael is heading off to college while Elizabeth starts high school. And the newest member of the family, April, starts to find her way in the world.
Of course, along the way, readers relive the many adventures the individual members find themselves on. Michael's first real relationship and the reintroduction of someone from his past form the majority of his storyline here. But there's his new friend "Weed" and major developments for his longtime friend Gordon (still my favorite supporting character) that help shape his own outlook.
John and Elly find themselves dealing with Michael heading off to school and Elizabeth becoming that moody teenager I'm sure we've all been at that time in our lives. Elly finds a new job while she and John take time for themselves via a couple of trips by themselves.
Elizabeth goes through the growing pains of her first relationship and navigating life as a high school student.
April is still pretty dependent on her parents as she ages to just 5 years old in this volume. But the youngster still manages to get into her own brand of trouble.
But the plotline that sticks with you most involves the least verbal member of the Patterson family, Farley. The family dog has aged right along with the human cast members and he's at an age now that makes him quite senior. But he's got a couple of surprises here, one great and one quite sadly tragic and yet heroic at the same time. I remember reading these particular strip as they were published in the newspaper and how sad I felt at the final resolution.
How much does the strip resonate even today? I was out to dinner with a friend on the day I picked this volume up. My friend mentioned something and when I was home later and started reading the book, I found a strip that hilariously mirrored something she said!
I've said it before but it is something that bears repeating as often as possible, Lynn Johnston's For Better or for Worse is my all-time favorite comic strip. In Volume 5, this belief is once again reinforced as each panel helps make my love for the Patterson family and their friends ring true all over again.
Things are changing in this volume. John and Elly are growing older and aren't really happy about it (particularly Elly), Michael is heading off to college while Elizabeth starts high school. And the newest member of the family, April, starts to find her way in the world.
Of course, along the way, readers relive the many adventures the individual members find themselves on. Michael's first real relationship and the reintroduction of someone from his past form the majority of his storyline here. But there's his new friend "Weed" and major developments for his longtime friend Gordon (still my favorite supporting character) that help shape his own outlook.
John and Elly find themselves dealing with Michael heading off to school and Elizabeth becoming that moody teenager I'm sure we've all been at that time in our lives. Elly finds a new job while she and John take time for themselves via a couple of trips by themselves.
Elizabeth goes through the growing pains of her first relationship and navigating life as a high school student.
April is still pretty dependent on her parents as she ages to just 5 years old in this volume. But the youngster still manages to get into her own brand of trouble.
But the plotline that sticks with you most involves the least verbal member of the Patterson family, Farley. The family dog has aged right along with the human cast members and he's at an age now that makes him quite senior. But he's got a couple of surprises here, one great and one quite sadly tragic and yet heroic at the same time. I remember reading these particular strip as they were published in the newspaper and how sad I felt at the final resolution.
How much does the strip resonate even today? I was out to dinner with a friend on the day I picked this volume up. My friend mentioned something and when I was home later and started reading the book, I found a strip that hilariously mirrored something she said!
I've said it before but it is something that bears repeating as often as possible, Lynn Johnston's For Better or for Worse is my all-time favorite comic strip. In Volume 5, this belief is once again reinforced as each panel helps make my love for the Patterson family and their friends ring true all over again.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews