Good-bye, Chunky Rice [Paperback]

Craig Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 9, 2006

This here be the first ever “graphical novel book” by Craig Thompson. It was winnning a Harvey Award, no less. It documentates the once upon a time in our fishing village town and a short turtle lad name of Chunky, last name Rice.

Mister Chunky Rice be living in the same rooming house likewise myself, only that boy be restless. Looking for something. And he puts hisself on my brother Chuck’s ship and boats out to sea to find it. Only he be departin’ from his bestest of all friends, his deer mouse, I mean, mouse deer chum Dandel.

Now why in a whirl would someone leave beyond a buddy? Just what be that turtle lad searchings for? I said you best read the book to find out. Merle said, “Doot doot.”

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-Chunky Rice is an anthropomorphic turtle who follows his urge to move on, leaving behind lovesick Dandele, a bug-eyed mouse, and a dreamy longshoreman. Chunky books passage on a barely seaworthy craft piloted by a shady skipper. Conjoined twins Ruth and Livonia are also on board. Back on shore, Dandele sends bottled missives out to sea and the longshoreman's injured pet bird, Merle, heals and regains flight. Thompson presents this bittersweet and engaging story in black-and-white panels that flow and tip into one another, giving the story motion that is reminiscent of the ocean against Chunky's boat and at Dandele's feet. The narrative intersperses past and present so that each character's motives become clear. Solid storytelling is expanded by the images, resulting in a fully realized literary work. The sea captain's posturing is fittingly retrograde and the twins are, by turns, self-exploitive and just plain folks. Chunky, Dandele, the longshoreman, and Merle, however, are unremitting winners. This book will be popular with both inveterate comics readers and those new to graphic literature.-Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley Public Library, CA

Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

“Both funny and genuinely touching in turn, Craig Thompson’s Good-bye Chunky Rice is an affecting meditation upon friendship, loneliness, and loss, all delivered with a real feel for the musicality of the comic strip form. This work sings and dances, and you could do a lot worse than to sing and dance along with it. Highly recommended.”
—Alan Moore, creator of From Hell and Watchmen

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 125 pages
• Publisher: Pantheon; Sixth edition (May 9, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375714766
• ISBN-13: 978-0375714764
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 0.4 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #62,443 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

CRAIG THOMPSON's previous graphic novels include Blankets (for which he received three Harvey Awards for Best Artist, Best Graphic Album of Original Work, and Best Cartoonist; and two Eisner Awards for Best Graphic Album and Best Writer/Artist); Goodbye, Chunky Rice; and Carnet de Voyage. He lives in Portland, Oregon.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating tale of the ongoing struggle to find ones home., November 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Good-Bye, Chunky Rice (Paperback)

Chunky Rice is like no other book I've ever read. Its at one time adorable and depressing, but always captivating. Comparable to Melvile's MOBY DICK, this tale of a wandering sprit's driving desire to leave his safe and almost perfect life in exchange for the uncertantity of life at sea is one that anyone can relate to. The fact that the central character is an almost genderless cartoon turtle makes him truly iconic so that anyone can put their own identity into the character's life journey. Once Chunky Rice sets sail we are introduced to a strange crew of freakish characters each with a striking vulnerability that they try to keep buried within them only to find it constantly resurfacing. This is the type of book to read and then share with a friend. I Highly encourage everyone one to pick up this book. It's quietly poetic and beautifully drawn with a wild imaginative style that truly stands out.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I would buy anything Craig Thompson produced,,, October 18, 2004

By 

Kate (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Good-Bye, Chunky Rice (Paperback)

Honestly, what a wonderfully innovative artist and writer Thompson is. His drawings are absolutely maginficant in both this and 'Blankets', and his tales are sweet and utterly likable. I daresay, at the tender age of 28, Thompson has some wonderful years of graphic novels writing ahead and we are in for some divine and quirky treats.

This little work is bittersweet and kind and sensitive and beautifully texturised. It is also quite a novel concept for this genre, and I daresay I have read no graphic novel which even lends itself to some kind of comparison. Its just delightfully simple and there is so much in the artwork. Every glance warrants a new discovery, and Thompson is already a master at evoking feeling. I particularly loved the frames where Chucky and his mouse love were lying under a quilted blanket and Chunky was telling her not to cry. Just gorgeous.


However, the work is relatively short and can be difficult to follow. It is not flawless, but remains a timeless addition to any graphic novel collection. 'Blankets; is clearly Thompson's incredible and unusual masterpiece, and while both are worth getting, 'Blankets' illustrates how Thompson has developed as a writer and artist in the last four years.

That said, I would still highly recommend 'Good-bye, Chunky Rice.' It stands alone as utterly beautiful work and a gentle and innovative credit to the graphic novel genre.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wistful...don't look back in anger., June 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Good-Bye, Chunky Rice (Paperback)

A potent story to pass around...skirts the edge of the maudlin, but is rescued by the author's keen sensibilities. Reinvigorates the American graphic novel.