A Mess of Everything

by Miss Lasko-Gross

This semi-autobiographical follow-up picks up where her debut "Escape from "Special"" leaves off: nonconformist Melissa is now in high school, coping with an anxiety-induced drug habit and an anorexic best friend. Even when the situation is not life or death, Melissa must negotiate the everyday problems that young adults face.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Memoir, Nonfiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Womens, Humor

223 pages, Paperback

First published February 15, 2009

About the author

Born Boston Massachusetts 1977
B.F.A in Communication Design, Pratt Institute

Books

Fantagraphics Books: Escape From "Special" nominated for YALSA's 2008 Great Graphic Novels.
Fantagraphics Books: A Mess Of Everything
Comixology: Miss Lasko-Gross Some Short Stories 1994-2014 (http://cmxl.gy/1jRExGt)
Z2:HENNI nominated for YALSA 2015 Great Graphic Novels for Teens.

Contributions / shows
Smith Magazine: Next Door Neighbor series
New Museum of Contemporary Art Alt.Youth.Media show
CBGB's Gallery
Indie spinner Rack: Awesome 2 Awesomer
Screw Magazine
House of Twelve #3, #4 & #5
True Porn 2
Mauled
Friends of LuLu: Girl's Guide to Guys Stuff
Friends of LuLu: Broad Appeal
House of Twelve: Heavy Metal
House of Twelve: Roshomon
Forbidden Zone
Cow
Don't Shoot it's Only Comics
The Blank Collective

Series'

Cryptic press' Aim Comics 1993-2001

Minis
Red (cover) 2006
Lefty 2004
Nine hours to Durham 2005

Reviews

[Dov Zeller · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that starts out: "This town blows...No actually I blow. This is probably one of the best places to live in the history of human kind...I hate it here."

Yep. Melissa is back and she's tired of being a bored and lonely suburban misfit but doesn't really know how to be anything else.

I liked the first book more, I think, just because it had some vivacious cuteness to break up the social/existential angst and felt a little less like many things I've already read. And it is hard to stay connected to a character who is emotionally all over the place all the time. But, the art is great and some of the humor very enjoyable. I think suburban boredom and lack of compelling social structure and cultural engagement can be a soul-crushing and worrisome thing. I'm glad that Lasko-gross turned to comics as a way to express herself and stay 'above water.'

Here are some of the segment titles.

Breaking Boredom
Kid Stuff
Satan of the Suburbs
Angel of Suburbia
Nasty
Sexual Harassment
The Cup is...Always Half Empty
Birth Order
"Information"
The Decoy
Consignment
Less Threatening
Time
Waste

[Raina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Lasko-Gross' art. It took me a while to warm up, but her little title illustrations for each anecdotal story are really amazing. And in this volume, unlike previous, the anecdotes actually lead somewhere, telling the story of one friendship. It's a little of a light, more artistic Ariel Schrag. A little bit of candid teenageness with a little less rebellion success. I can identify more, that's for sure. She's getting better, and I want more.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this much more than her first book escape from special. This is the second volume of a semi-autobiographical series, and while the first was about childhood, this is about being a teenager. Specifically, an angsty, outspoken feminist teenager in the mid-90s, which just happens to hit me right where I live. Each story is only a few pages, but there is continuity in the protagonist's struggle to figure out how to combat injustice and how to have friends that she actually likes.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a likeable character, but that's not the point. She is a typical (and fully realized) teenaged character. Not fun to read, but it is very good at characterizing this kind of (suburban) teen girl... Not a picture of innocence, but of a certain kind of vulnerability, a kind of desperation to fit in, be okay... and NOT "normal," she would say, like deliberately "alternative"... I can't say I "liked" HER all that much, but IT is very good at what it sets out to do...

[Hannah Garden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 2 of this stitched-together-from-short-stories memoir and I liked it just as much as I liked the first one. As much as the 90s is getting turned into visions of it by people who are kind of selling an image a little, it is always nice to settle into something that feels genuine to the time. This totally qualifies as feeling real as hell, which I enjoy as a reading experience, getting to see the known again once it's gone and up for grabs.

[kyliemm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This young adult novel was a graphic novel about a girl named Melissa experiencing the woes common to high school students: drugs, bad grades, lack of boyfriend, etc. Melissa's main problems are her friends--anorexic Terry, rebellious Kylie, and shoplifting Penny. I think this book captured perfectly the way many teenagers feel in high school: confused, conflicted, attempting to be individual but still wanting to fit in, and lonely. My main problem with the book was that I hated the artwork--I think it just wasn't my style. I really liked the story, though, except for the lack of resolution at the end--I still fail to see how graduating early, ditching your friends, and failing to really deal with anything is an okay resolution. However, the book is semi-based on the author's own life, and I guess she made those choices herself, so I don't really know how to criticize that. I liked how the author switched back and forth from the conflicts in Melissa's head to the words she said to people, and I especially liked the author's portrayal of how Melissa dealt with the different boys in her life. I also liked Melissa's parents, who tried to help her deal with different problems, but recognized that the ultimate decisions had to be left up to her. Overall, I thought this was a good book that teenagers, especially older teenage girls, would identify with and like.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an autobiographical comic by a woman artist and writer put out by Fantagraphics. When I realised I had just been reading lots of comics by men earlier this year I went and added all the (non superhero) comics by women that I could find. I ordered a copy of this from the library and it took MONTHS to show up. When it did arrive I sat and read it in one evening. It was quite brilliant. Little vignettes about growing up in high school and not fitting in. Being a loner, a stoner, and just generally odd. There was SO much here that could have been developed and turned into a 5 page graphic novel series, as it was the relationships and the years seemed to change really quickly but the little glimpses into life made it more intense and as such it is definitely one of my favourite comics in this genre. I've already gone and added both her books to my wish list and if I wasn't not buying anymore books this year I would probaly already have bought them! I also really liked the art. It was very stylised and such a refreshing change after the traditional American comic art of the swamp things. Definitely a book I'd recommend.

[Derek Royal · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much as I enjoyed Escape from "Special," I appreciate A Mess of Everything even more. The earlier book left off right after junior high, and this one covers Lasko-Gross's high school years. Again, I like the way her art reveals inner turmoil and states of mind. This is especially the case with her background work. During moments of anxiety or tenseness, the visuals around Melissa are highly detailed and at times chaotic patterns (sometimes with words discreetly embedded in them that reveal the moment) that border on the surreal. This is supposed to be the second of a trilogy of books. I wonder when the third will come out?

[Diana Welsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really wonderful. It continues where the autobiographical Escape from "Special" left off. Melissa is about 14 when it starts, and probably 17 or 18 by the end. Each vignette is a few pages long, and once you get into the rhythm of it, the lack of an overarching plot won't bother you. This book is meant to capture moments and feelings.

And capture them it does. It was amazing. I was soooo this chick at this age, minus the drugs, understanding parents, and making out with boys. Our lives were so similar, and the moments she chose to capture in this comic were a lot of the same ones that I remember as being important and memorable. I had creepy friends that did bad things, and a running internal dialogue about how pointless my existence was. It just shows up so perfectly on the page.

Some of my favorites:

-Melissa's thoughts about wishing she could just stop existing without having to kill herself.
-Flirting with a boy, getting ratted on for harassment, and knowing he wouldn't have minded if she were pretty
-Calling out teachers on their bullshit assignments and getting told to shut up
-Having to continually "prove" you're cool
-Liking a guy but noticing that he's asked out all of your friends except you

It just perfectly captured the essence of how much it sucks to be a smart, ugly, artistic teenage girl. I loved it. A++++++ Thanks to Wright for lending it to me.

[Bianca · Rating 3 out of 5]

At the end of the day, my friend gave me this graphic novel to read. I wasn't actually planning on reading it, but since I had some free time in the class, and there was a sub in AP US History I figured I'd go ahead and read it.

A Mess of Everything is actually the 2nd book in Miss Lasko-Gross graphic novel autobiography but since it's a stand alone, you can go ahead and read it without reading the first. The comic deals with Melissa's struggle of fitting in, anorexia, friendships and so many other things. I enjoyed it and thought it was a pretty good comic!

On a random note, the book doesn't say where it takes place, but as I noticed in one of the pictures there was a building with "123 Beacon St" or something and my first thought was that it took place in Boston and then there was another picture. I checked the author's site and what do you know, she was born in Boston. Although the drawings were subtle, I'm glad there were details like that!

[Margot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly black, with a touch of "colorized" effect to lighten the bleakness. Lasko-Gross takes us along on the roller-coaster ride of teenage confusion and desparation, constantly struggling to either fit it or throw off the shackles of conformity altogether. Melissa deals with getting dropped by friends, getting dropped by boys, and the attempts of her parents to "help" her, to which she reacts with rage. Her highly analytical and sophisticated metacognitive narrative/inner monologue is a jarring and stark contrast to the cruel pranks and dialogue of high school. Scenes of her trying to confront her friend's eating disorder, her thought process when deciding that drugs are only going to slow her down, and her closing realization that she can transcend all the high school bullshit by graduating early--all these scenes are touching and hopeful and heartrending all at once. I find myself rooting for Melissa and her outrageous outbursts.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw some of Lasko-Gross' original art on display at the "Graphic Details: Confessional Comics by Jewish Women" exhibit during my recent trip to Ohio, and was inspired to check out her books. I enjoyed Escape from "Special", but everything really comes together in the sequel, A Mess of Everything. Like the first book, it's told in a series of short comics (usually 1-5 pages), but this time they build and overlap with each other more, and dig a lot deeper. The ending had me tearing up. Recommended!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is pretty much my adolescence in comic form. I loved the short segments and Lasko's art is top-notch here.

[Jd · Rating 5 out of 5]

The drawings are even better than the first book and the angst is angstier. Just like all the torturous scenes from my high school days of trying to fit in without conforming.

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a crush on this author and not just for this great teen experience book.

[Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Mess of Everything is about high school with all its anxieties, problems, funny moments, and questions. Melissa struggles to be herself, yet succeed without antagonizing the teachers and often other students and friends. She's outspoken, yet doubts herself often. She worries about her best friend, yet is unable to help her. She's smart, yet her understanding of American history, capitalism and the "system" doesn't help her get As. It's a relief when she finally figures she can just play the system and get out to do what she wants, instead of resist it (a sad, but perhaps necessary lesson to learn for anyone at that age). Recommended for those who like to smoking, skateboarding and Tank Girl.

[Books and a Brew · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Picked this up in a second hand store for a few quid.

I enjoyed this memoir, the illustrations are striking (if a little ugly) and the short stories are told concisely.

It’s effectively the story of your average teenager, angry at the world, falling out with friends, eating disorders and drugs, sex and alcohol. There is nothing especially groundbreaking here and I would say the book is a little heavy on the angst to the point where the MC is pretty unlikable. I would have liked to see more joyous scenes so when the hard hitters arrived they had more impact on me. As it is, the stories are pretty forgettable.

It is a good representation of a difficult period in everyone’s lives, but I needed the highs to come through.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

[review for A Mess of Everything and Escape from Special]
I wish I'd reviewed these closer to when I read them because I don't remember a lot of details but I remember them resonating with me: the feeling of being just a little off, all the time. Not quite fitting in, not quite happy enough, but not necessarily in crisis. Henni is one of my favorite all-time comics, so I was happy to get a little bit of insight into the mind of its creator (I know this is not strictly autobiographical).

[Shoshanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miss is struggling with friends, and feeling generally out of place. I admire that she is so critical at such a young age of social issues and the way history is taught. Ultimately, Miss is a good person and a good friend. Told in vignettes, like Escape from "Special."

[Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Escape from Special was pretty good.

This was great.

This author-artist evolved in every way for this one.

So much of this resonated with me, both as a former teen and the father of a teen daughter. I might buy this one in print for her.

I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Adam Rosenbaum · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first graphic novel was entertaining and I bet, if I was female, would resonate more. Miss Lasko captures high school teenage angst in all its brutal forms. The push and pull to conform is the overarching theme as Melissa tries to navigate her own growth and figure out where she fits in. Cruel friends, drugs, boys, parents, self-image are all covered. The graphics are well done as well. It made me glad, once again, that I am not in high school.

[Aheem]

“A Mess of Everything” is a 232 page coming of age graphic novel by Miss Lasko-Gross' semi-autobiographical trilogy. The graphic novel is a coming of age story about a girl named Melissa who was trying to find herself. She experimented with different lifestyles trying to figure out where she belongs. The idea that moved the book along was the fact that Melissa was a drug user with anxiety problems who was best friends with an anorexic girl with low self-esteem. Through the course of the graphic novel, Melissa learned what it was to grow up and act mature when faced with an obstacle. This sudden realization of where she belongs and how she should act led her to a more secure lifestyle and personality that she was comfortable with. What I liked about this graphic novel was that the message was so basic but the way the story was told through Melissa’s thoughts depicting her emotions through graphics. What I didn’t like about the book was how explicit the graphics were when they were depicting the events that were happening.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow. When I finished A Mess of Everything, I e-mailed Miss Lasko Gross herself to tell her how awesome her book is! (Yes, she replied! She's awesome, too!) She's a bit younger than I am, but so much of this book could have been taken from my life or that of any of my high school friends. It's not so much the circumstances, though there are those, too -- it's the feelings, the things she goes through inside, that were so shockingly familiar to me. Attempting to save a troubled friend, coping with some of the stupider things doled out by high schools, sneaking out, etc.! Miss Lasko was there and she's here to remind us exactly what it felt like, good & bad (but mostly good -- this does have a happy ending!).

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautifully colored, with a female protagonist who reminds me of Sally from _The Nightmare Before Christmas_. The storyline and characters felt simplistic, though pop culture references in the artwork did make the work feel fresh even during weaker moments. I would consider reading more of Lasko-Gross's work, and would certainly recommend this book to adolescents.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw some of myself in the main character and the style of this story. I admire the raw honesty and I think this is a good bildungsroman that doesn't come across as cliche. I didn't read the previous book so I'll have to go back and do that. There are some risqué topics addresses so I would be wary about teaching this for classes below (or even in) 11th or 12th grade.

[Emilia P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sympathy star for being a girl-diary comic. But you, Miss, are no Ariel Schrag, or Lynda Barry. It's cool to be a disgruntled teenager but it is not cool to just be thoughtlessly bitter. The intentional ugliness of the artwork doesn't help. Um.... yeah. The only parts I really liked were when she got really sad and hugged her mom. Figures.

[Hana b · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend handed this off to me. The drawing leaves a but to be desired but everything comes through- you can feel the main character's pain and angst, all those feelings that are now pretty hazy and part of a teenager's everyday life. I'll give anything a chance and I'm glad I did with this. The ending was pretty great, too.

[Sarah]

I really loved this. It was gritty and realistic and sad and hilarious all at the same time. I loved that it was so realistic. Great for fans of graphic novels, fans of teen fiction, and fans of memior realism (Lynda Barry comes to mind).

[Susan Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say about this memoir graphic novel is that it is a perfect sequel to Escaping Special, if you liked that you will like this and if you haven't read that you definetly should, go do it now, go on.

[Sarah Laing · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seem to have an endless appetite for messed-up American teen graphic novel memoirs. Or maybe there's an endless supply of them... anyway, this one's a goodie, even if I feel like I've read it before in a different incarnation.