Customer Reviews

At a Crossroads: Between a Rock and My Parents' Place

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At a Crossroads: Between a Rock and My Parents' Place Graduation time is fast approaching and in the most timely way, the perfect gift for any high school or college (and beyond) graduate is Kate Williamson's new book, "At a Crossroads..." The exquisite artwork that was found in Williamson's first book, "A Year in Japan" is happily found in "Crossroads..." As well, the evocative text will ring true for the multitudes who will be throwing their caps in the air and beginning the often confusing journey into the real world.

I started enjoying Kate Williamson's haiku in the Hello Kitty series. I thoroughly enjoyed her book, A year in Japan and wanted to read more. This book has the same humor and flavor I've come to expect with Ms. Williamson. At a Crossroads took me back to my college years when I was old enough to have the world by the tail, but too young to know it yet. This book is great for anyone who has the same angst felt by many young people who are starting out. The referrals to Hall & Oats is one of my favorite parts and the illustrations are awesome.

I loved reading this book! Besides the wonderful illustrations, Kate Williamson is a fabulous writer. I was instantly engaged and could completely relate to that time in my life many years ago. A great book for all ages.

I hesitate to call this a graphic novel, because it's really more of a slice of life memoir that's illustrated. Don't get me wrong it's not a bad thing, but after reading books like Lucy Knisley's French Milk and To Timbuktu: Nine Countries, Two People, One True Story I guess I expect a bit more out of a diary comic, something with a story to it. Instead Kate takes us through her year living at home with her parents after touring Japan and it's her everyday life that she illustrates. While again it isn't a bad thing, I just don't get anything that I can connect with or learn from.

I also don't really care for the script chosen for lettering. It's in cursive and at some points I have to struggle to decipher the writing or to find the writing when it's hidden in the background. The illustrations are pretty good for a self taught artist using watercolors, which is one of the most difficult mediums to master. The colors are vibrant, crisp and clear and make reading the excerpts from the diary a bit more interesting.

To me...I just can't connect with the author and so the book falls flat for me. I'm sure there are some folks that will enjoy it, but its just not my cup of tea.

I have brought this book with me on train trips and into hotel beds so that I may let my mind drift into the quiet, contemplative, mysteriously beautiful world of the in-between time so thoughtfully captured by AT A CROSSROADS. Kate T. Williamson is such a thoughtful and perceptive writer and illustrator, and her illustrations capture the moments of her life so well that I feel completely immersed in the pages of artwork, to the point where I can hear the sound or silence of the scene before me. I enjoy looking through this book page-by-page with close friends.

This book is like a tray of Parisian macaroons - pretty (tastefully illustrated), sweet (a girlie story) and delightful (the watercolors are visually pleasing). Aside from bookstores, it should be carried by retailers like Anthropologie and Paper Source, as it's probably most appealing to girls who appreciate art and style. However, I didn't find the book particularly insightful, funny or creative (that is, it's a pictorial diary rather than graphic novel).