Lynda Barry
Lynda Barry is an American cartoonist, author, and teacher known for her comic strip 'Ernie Pook's Comeek' and graphic novels like 'One! Hundred! Demons!'. Her work often explores themes of childhood and adolescence, and she has received critical acclaim for her contributions to the field of comics. Barry has also been a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she teaches interdisciplinary creativity.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. The Good Times Are Killing Me
The book is a coming-of-age tale that explores the complexities of friendship and racism through the eyes of a young girl named Edna Arkins. Set in the 1960s, the story delves into Edna's relationship with her best friend, Bonna Willis, who is African American, in a predominantly white neighborhood. As they grow up, the innocence of their childhood bond is tested by the societal prejudices and family pressures that surround them. The narrative, rich with humor and heartache, captures the bittersweet moments of adolescence and the painful realization that the "good times" of childhood innocence are often overshadowed by the harsh realities of the adult world.
The 4957th Greatest Book of All Time -
2. Cruddy
In the darkly comic and unsettling novel, a teenage girl recounts her harrowing journey through a dysfunctional childhood marked by neglect, abuse, and a road trip with her dangerously unhinged father. As she navigates the grim realities of her life, her story oscillates between the grimy, violent past and her struggle to survive in the present. The narrative, rich with vivid and disturbing imagery, explores themes of memory, trauma, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity. The protagonist's voice, both raw and poignant, offers a stark and unflinching look at the complexities of family and the scars that our early experiences can leave on us.
The 7853rd Greatest Book of All Time
