I’m pretty sure I commented something of the sort back in chapter 2 vis a vis Kierie, but it’s really something (unfortunately, only because it’s so rare) special to see the level of humanity that the women get to have in Rigsby WI’s writing.
Like, we get to see these glimpses of Gladys’s measures of humanity that make you start seeing the reasons she acts the way she does (that aren’t just her being a horrible hateful monster Just Because), like this moment and her interactions with her mother-in-law, without it excusing the way she treats Beth.
Also, this whole comic reads as a condemnation of white upper Midwestern culture, and the hits just don’t stop coming. My family is half Midwestern/Catholic, and I used to live there, and I love that the story portrays the flickering promise of that culture…the brightness of people who are genuinely communal…the natural beauty that hasn’t been marred by industrial farming…etc. But I also love that S.E. Case doesn’t hesitate to draw a bigger picture of collective self-destruction, adult hypocrisy, obsession with authority and punishment, and religious/racial insularity that’s mistaken for a sense of community.
These lines are entirely out of context, but to me they epitomize the grim direction of the adults and the broader culture portrayed in this comic:
“Do you think that if you were falling in space…that you would slow down after a while, or go faster and faster?”
“Faster and faster. And for a long time you wouldn’t feel anything. And then you’d burst into fire. Forever. And the angel’s wouldn’t help you. Because they’ve all gone away.”
*
Beth feels like a cousin of mine. Her capacity for rebellion and love, and the company she keeps, gives me hope for her. But no matter what happens, she’s going to carry the emotional wounds of her upbringing, and it’s just hard to see scar tissue forming in real time. I want her to find peace for herself, but I know that’s not always possible.
No matter where the story goes, though, I trust the author to tell it honestly, and that’s something very special.
That shadowed face with the one glaring eye in the 2nd panel is a shockingly good depiction of remembering moments like this. That just specific features stood out.
Goddamn… The ‘stop letting her win’ comment really hurts. She shows actual empathy for her own daughter, and likely just had treatment he’s given HER is now being given to Beth.
It breaks my heart how Gladys externalises her frustration with her husband onto Beth.
I’m pretty sure I commented something of the sort back in chapter 2 vis a vis Kierie, but it’s really something (unfortunately, only because it’s so rare) special to see the level of humanity that the women get to have in Rigsby WI’s writing.
Like, we get to see these glimpses of Gladys’s measures of humanity that make you start seeing the reasons she acts the way she does (that aren’t just her being a horrible hateful monster Just Because), like this moment and her interactions with her mother-in-law, without it excusing the way she treats Beth.
It’s just real good.
GOD I HATE HIM
Well this hit home.
Well this hit home.
The dad needs a good kick between the pants.
This is so real and so sad
Also, this whole comic reads as a condemnation of white upper Midwestern culture, and the hits just don’t stop coming. My family is half Midwestern/Catholic, and I used to live there, and I love that the story portrays the flickering promise of that culture…the brightness of people who are genuinely communal…the natural beauty that hasn’t been marred by industrial farming…etc. But I also love that S.E. Case doesn’t hesitate to draw a bigger picture of collective self-destruction, adult hypocrisy, obsession with authority and punishment, and religious/racial insularity that’s mistaken for a sense of community.
These lines are entirely out of context, but to me they epitomize the grim direction of the adults and the broader culture portrayed in this comic:
“Do you think that if you were falling in space…that you would slow down after a while, or go faster and faster?”
“Faster and faster. And for a long time you wouldn’t feel anything. And then you’d burst into fire. Forever. And the angel’s wouldn’t help you. Because they’ve all gone away.”
*
Beth feels like a cousin of mine. Her capacity for rebellion and love, and the company she keeps, gives me hope for her. But no matter what happens, she’s going to carry the emotional wounds of her upbringing, and it’s just hard to see scar tissue forming in real time. I want her to find peace for herself, but I know that’s not always possible.
No matter where the story goes, though, I trust the author to tell it honestly, and that’s something very special.
That shadowed face with the one glaring eye in the 2nd panel is a shockingly good depiction of remembering moments like this. That just specific features stood out.
OOOH yes backlit panel.
Goddamn… The ‘stop letting her win’ comment really hurts. She shows actual empathy for her own daughter, and likely just had treatment he’s given HER is now being given to Beth.
WOW. just wow. he’s the worst… the way she was being genuine and caring for her daughter, and then….
I can see why this family thinks that someone else receiving kindness and care is losing lol