A Child's Life and Other Stories Paperback – September 30, 2000

This book was reviewed here: [...]Phoebe Gloeckner’s “Diary of a Teenage Girl” is “An Account in Words and Pictures” of Minnie, a fifteen-year-old who is having an affair with Monroe, a 35-year-old man who is also her mother’s lover. What makes this story so different from other “child abuse memoirs” is that not once in the book does young Minnie (or anyone) claim she was coerced, abused, molested or raped. In fact, throughout the book, we are led to believe that Minnie was an active and willing participant in the relationship.There are endless coming-of-age stories depicting young boys enjoying their budding sexuality without shame, many of them lusting after women twice their age. Usually we are given a view of women as sexual objects, yet deny that they are sexual creatures. This is a story of a teenage girl shamelessly exploring her sexuality with enthusiasm. She is intelligent, self aware, amorous, sexually liberated, without the usual consequential disaster normally associated with these traits. This is one reason why “Diary” is such a unique novel.This 300 page book switches between prose and graphic novel, starting with a detailed drawing of Minnie, dark long hair with short bangs, big eyes looking up into the sky. The words on the opposite page read:“I DON’T REMEMBER BEING BORN. I was a very ugly child. My appearance has not improved so I suppose it was a lucky break when he was attracted by my youthfulness.”You can tell in the drawing that Minnie is not bad looking, but it is easy to get right into her mind-set, because what 15-year-old ever knows she is attractive? We also understand that this character has some insight because she knows it was her youthfulness that attracted the attention of Monroe.Set in San Francisco during 1976, the adults in Minnie’s life have no boundaries, or any understanding of her emotions, needs or intelligence. Her best friend Kimmie is the epitome of all Minnie dislikes in herself. As we get to know Monroe better, we understand that he is an insecure, needy, emotional child at best, and at worst, he is an all-out child molester who should be imprisoned for life.This book is unique, powerful and not for the tenderhearted. If you are bored reading about women that are usually the victim, always innocent, never responsible for their own decisions or their own lot in life, you will find this story refreshing in its truthfulness. The artwork is beautiful and detailed. It’s no surprise the author/artist works as a medical illustrator.I also read “A Child’s Life,” Phoebe’s previous book published in 1998. The graphic novel was classified as pornography and refused entry by customs officials in both France and England. It reads to me as the story-board for the 2002 “Diary”; if you are planning on reading both, start with “A Child’s Life,” not because it’s necessary for the story line, but because reading it after “Diary” might be redundant or anti-climatic.Favorite quote – “I wish I knew someone who was happy” or “My youth is something that cannot be helped.”

It seems rare that people grow up in dysfuntionaly free families. My family was dysfunctional because no one knew or understood any thing about haveing and living with ADD. But despite my families dysfuntions I always knew and understood that my parents loved me. Some people are not as fortunet to live in a loving family even if they are free of dysfuntions, but not being told you are loved and wanted while growning up is in itself dysfuntional.Phoebe Gloeckner is very much a talented illustrative artist and tells/illustrates her story of growing up in one such dysfuntional family. It shows how she was effected and what she did as a result. Even at a young age she knew she like drawing and was good at it, and eventually it was her belief in her drawing abilities that allowed her to over come some of the issue of living in a dysfuntional family and to go on and improve her life.Phoebe unflincingly looks at and shows part of her past, that many people would want to soon forget.it shows how damaging some dysfuntional family can be and their effects on your life growning up, because you have a distorted view of how life should be. It also shows to some extent how likeing and developing a perticular talent, in this case likeing to draw, can allow you to escape from the past and dysfuntional behaivor.Now one is free of self doubt or having psychological problems of one kind or another. Human being can be very flawed creatures, but as we grow older we can be come self aware that what we do as dysfuntional people is not good behaivore and we can decide to no longer want to be dysfuntional people and learn how to improve ourselves. Certainly Phoebe's talent has helped allowed herself to grow and learn to become a very talented artist and along the way she learned so need not repeat past mistakes and has imporved her life.

I don't know how I learned of this book, but it is disturbing, and, yet, compelling. The author, Phoebe Gloecker, is a medical illustrator and also an abuse victim. She has, among others, a rather disturbing illustration of a child having oral sex with an adult man. She is medically technical with some of her illustrations of sexual abuse, sometimes giving cross sections of the abuse.I think sexual abuse victims will feel that her story has some resonance with theirs. She depicts the mental manipulation of abuse and some of the underlying psychology going on through her illustrations in a disturbingly accurate way that few "professional" books show!

I will warn that this is quite disturbing. That being said, it's well done. Gloeckner sheds light on trauma and tragedy in a way that demands it be dealt with. It's not a book you read and out done and move on from.

This collection of Phoebe Gloeckner's comics is definitely not for the faint of heart, but it's worth a reading. If you haven't read her novel, Diary of a Teenage Girl, I think you will find this book a better introduction to her work. The themes are much the same and the comic art is very well done.The subject matter is pretty bleak.

Deeply disturbing and dark--I often find these types of reads fascinating--but this is even a bit much for me...beautiful drawings, depth and care, excellent artistry and story telling.

Perfect item, took awhile for me to get it.

Beautiful illustrations. Her work is badass and raw.

Incredible, i had been saying to myself for years i would buy this at some point to read (i like to collect womens graphic novels) i wish i had bought this so long ago! it has been the BEST graphic novel i have ever read, so raw and straight to the point - very relatable but the artwork is mind blowing yet looks effortless. You won't regret buying this - If you are reading this - just buy it!

Bought as a gift for my Neice. She is so happy with it.

Really detailed distinctive artwork that you couldn't mistake for another cartoon artist. Short story's are unusual but so raw. Phoebe Gloeckner is very talented!

Arrived quickly, was in good condition, I cannot say anything bad. The stories are disturbing and heartbreaking, but that was expected. I am glad I found this book.

Gloeckner's oeuvre needs to be known. Great art.