The Book Club: Chris Ware

Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth is a deeply personal and emotionally charged graphic novel by Chris Ware. The story intertwines two main narratives: one follows Jimmy Corrigan, a middle-aged man who travels across America to meet the father he has never known, while the other recounts the life of his grandfather, Jimmy Corrigan, growing up in late 19th-century Chicago under the abusive care of a single father. The book is praised for its intricate and innovative graphic design, its exploration of themes such as alienation, family history, and the interplay between memory and imagination. Ware's work is often compared to literary modernism, particularly the works of James Joyce, and is celebrated for its detailed and poignant portrayal of human suffering and the search for connection.

Rusty Brown is a graphic novel by Chris Ware, published in 2019. The book collects stories that Ware began writing and illustrating in 2001. It focuses on Rusty Brown, a character who remains fixated on his childhood obsessions, particularly comic heroes like Supergirl. The narrative also delves into the lives of other characters, including Rusty's father, Woody, who is a sci-fi escapist and an English teacher, and Joanne Cole, an African American language teacher. The story is characterized by its non-linear narrative, exploring themes of nostalgia, loneliness, and the complexities of human relationships. The book is notable for its experimental approach to the comics medium, with multiple storylines and visual storytelling techniques[2][3][4].

Building Stories is a 2012 graphic novel by Chris Ware, composed of fourteen printed works including cloth-bound books, newspapers, broadsheets, and flip books. The work, which took a decade to complete, focuses on the life of an unnamed female protagonist with a missing lower leg, along with other inhabitants of a three-story brownstone apartment building in Chicago. The stories can be read in any order and delve into themes of loss, relationships, and the human experience. Ware's meticulous hand-drawn compositions manipulate time and space, creating a profound emotional impact on the reader. The physical aspects of the book, such as paper quality and binding, are also carefully considered to enhance the storytelling experience.