Lauren RabainoI have a bit of a problem. I really like to spend money on things I shouldn’t, like comic books. For instance, last week I was at a bookstore with no intent of buying anything, and of course I had to check out the graphic novel section. I stumbled upon something I just had to have, Jeffery Brown’s “Little Things: A Memoir in Slices.”
I’ve read some of Brown’s work before and I’m a big fan. For those of you that don’t know, Brown is an indie “graphic memoirist” from Chicago, whose work mostly consists of autobiographical stories, told through little pictures, about his many failed relationships with girls.
Jeffrey Brown certainly isn’t limited by that, however, for he really has a great knack for observing the world, remembering it, and then bringing it to life through his drawings. Like in his adorable little book, “Cat Getting Out of a Bag and Other Observations” in which he illustrates his love for his cats by showing the shenanigans they get into around the house, such as getting caught in a bag and getting out. It’s great!
“Little Things” is a really great combination of the entirety of Brown’s talents. It is made up of, as the title gives away, short stories about the little things in life. From friends, to work, your favorite coffee shop, buying CDs or getting your gall bladder taken out, Brown describes the interconnectedness of the little things in life and what they mean to us. How seemingly mundane objects or events, taken in context, can take on a very personal and important character, which would otherwise be devoid in an individual’s life.
For instance, the first story in the book describes how the music of artist Andrew Bird has affected Brown over the period of his life. At first, and of course, Andrew Bird’s music was associated with a girl, but when that relationship ended, so did his love for the music. However, after time passed and new experiences accumulated, Brown finds a new love for Bird’s music.
A bit of warning for any of those out there that may be looking for a continual narrative when they pick up Brown’s works. More often than not, the stories are true to life and do not have any definitive ending, that wraps the story up in a neat little package. Brown’s stories don’t follow a traditional plot line either. There have been numerous times while reading his work that I was positive that the story was going to turn out a certain way, but it didn’t. And hey, that’s kind of refreshing when you think about it. Moreover, that’s kind of how life works and Brown knows how to capture that.
It’s getting to be about that time in the quarter where midterms are quickly creeping up. I swear I’m starting to smell the stress in the air. So if you need a break from those studying blues and maybe want a bit of reassurance in the little things in life, then you should pick up a copy of Brown’s “Little Things: A Memoir in Slices.”