Customer Reviews

Reality Check: A For Better or For Worse Collection

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This, like all the FBorFW books, is fine comfortable family viewing. It is such a shame that everyone who reads it can't see the simple beauty of having a family (though 'fictional')like the Pattersons who really care for each other, their friends and their pets. Some of the other "reviews" I have read of this book seem extremely bitter and anxious to put down those of us who enjoy simple comics and stories of families where no one is on drugs or in prison for a hate crime or murder. If you want "gruesome", go watch TV and leave our Lynn Johnston alone!

I became a fan of FBOFW after reading "Lives Behind the Lines". My favorite aspect of the strip is that, while Johnston generally sticks with chronicalling the so-called "normal, everyday day occurances" of nucular family life, she isn't afraid to write about serious issues. Aside from the well known (and VERY well done) story dealing with Lawrence, Johnston has dealt with such issues as the death of a parent and the ethics of journalism ( when Michael and Weed photographed a vehicle accident, then later learned that Deanna Sobieski had been involved). Lynn continues that tradition in ths book by addressing an issue that I, for one, have NEVER seen addressed in a mainstream, syndicated comic strip - sexual abuse. This story, which involves Elizabeth's roommate Candace, was published in December 2001. As usual, Johnston wrote the story well, and showed a great deal of sensitivity. As a survivor of abuse, this story has alot of meaning to me.
Another issue brought up in the book is the fact that Elly's father is showing signs of Alzheimer's. I look forward to seeing how Johnston deals with this.

P.S. : As Elizabeth continues her training to become a teacher, I was pleased to FINALLYsee the adition of some First Nations characters. Given that Johnston's strip is both Canadian and, usually multicultural, this omission had always struck me as odd.

Lynn Johnston and Robb Armstrong of "Jump Start" fame are comic geniuses in a class by themselves. No two ways about that.

Johnston has created a believeable and appealing family who, unlike most strips contend with controversial issues such as homosexuality; divorce; infidelity; physical challenges; racial issues; crime; death. It is always a treat to read her strip in the daily paper and it makes for something to anticipate daily.

Michael, the oldest Patterson child, now married has a child on the way. Readers follow Deanna's pregnancy up to the birth of daughter Meredith Anne. It makes for a riveting story line that is sure to delight most readers and maintain their interest.

Middle Patterson child, Elizabeth, now an adult and working towards her teaching degree moves in with her boyfriend, only to discover what a mistake that was. Her way of exacting revenge upon him was funny and resourceful.

April, the youngest Patterson child went from obnoxious pain to obnoxious teen and patriarch Grandpa Jim, a delightful character marries a woman whom he meets at a senior citizens' gathering.

A truly delightful collection that will not only evoke smiles, but will undoubtedly remind readers of milestones in their own lives.

I always like seeing a new book by Lynn Johnston. Her comic strips find the humor in everyday things, and I think most of us can relate to at least one of her characters. Her latest book is funny, extremely well-drawn, and continues the adventures of the Pattersons and their friends and relatives. Buy it for the fun and insights that it offers.

This book picks up where "With This Ring" finishes. I was actually disappointed with this book after reading the first one. There was no introduction, and the book goes from Michael and Deanna adjusting as newlyweds, only to 1 strip after Baby Meridith is born. I thought that this book would be more towards the baby's birth, but it wasn't. I enjoyed it however, more so for the other storylines in the book.

Another Great book to visit the Patterson's with. "For Better / For Worse" has to be one of the best comic strips of all time. It really makes you think, "They are just like my family", and if you do not have kids, read the books so you know what to prepare for.

In alot of ways I was enviuos of these characters. It took me 4 months to find a OB who would take state medicade for my first pregnancy. They have national health care ensuring them prenatal care once the strip is positive. But Johnston outdoes herself showing us the chaos pregnancy can create in a marrriage, especially one as new as micheal and deannas.

Despite a brief period of being considered a cutting-edge cartoonist (with the infamous "Laurence is gay" story line), at heart Lynn Johnston likes things neat, tidy and relatively conservative. "Reality Check," the latest "For Better Or For Worse" collection, continues that tradition.

The main focus of the book is the gestation and arrival of the first member of the next generation of Pattersons, Michael and Deanna's daughter Meredith. Anyone with any semblance of intelligence will immediately roll their eyes when reading the initial strips where Deanna informs Michael that she's pregnant, claiming that "I wanted to change medications and wait for the first one to leave my system, and ... it just happened." It's bad enough that this kind of "oops" is seemingly acceptable, but considering that Johnston has Deanna's profession as a PHARMACIST who (one would think) knows how birth control pills should work makes it that much more unbelievable. Johnston has often stated that her strips reflect either what is going on in her life or what she wants to happen--the arrival of April is a prime example of the latter--and apparently she has a screaming case of grandbaby rabies. Of course, after a token protest or two Michael and Deanna fall in love with parenthood, and everyone is delighted despite the fact the couple is portrayed as having major financial problems. But in Johnston's world, everything always works out for the best, because a baby always fixes everything, right?

As for the Patterson daughters, idealistic Elizabeth gets her heart stomped on by her latest boyfriend--Johnston has the pair living together but ostensibly sleeping in separate bedrooms--while bratty April becomes more obnoxious and spends all her strips whining (at least that's somewhat realistic of today's kids). There is a neat little plot with Grandpa Jim's unexpected marriage, but Johnston still spends a few too many strips dealing with various Patterson animals, including the protracted death of April's rabbit, at the expense of John and Elly. Johnston isn't always sugary, but sometimes she misses great opportunities to be real and goes for the schmaltz. "Reality Check" is best suited for those who followed Deanna's pregnancy and Meredith's birth with baited breath (not to mention those who--yes, it's true--sent congratulatory e-mails to these fictional characters).

It's the soap opera of today's funnies! Unlike most of the cartoon characters on those pages, the family is doomed to age and change just like us lowly human mortals.

The funny little boy, Michael is now all grown-up and has a wifey of his own. Together, they have produced a preciousy-woo little cherub who has inherited collagen-puffy lips from her mommie. And it also looks like she would one day grow up to be a spoiled little princess who's the center of attention now that April is getting too old for it. Instead, she's now a teensybopper who's getting ready to arrogantly flaunt her perfect nails and midriff in the public and already, she's regarding her loving, doting elders as deadly enemies. As usual, big sister Elizabeth is still an innocent do-gooder who got duped by a two-timing boyfriend so handsome and dashing he should've been on the cover of a romance novel. And - the innocent little dame gets swept off her feet by ANOTHER boyfriend handsome and dashing enough to be on the cover of a romance novel. Grandpa may have lost his wife, but he now has a new squeeze to replace her memory. But at least she's as old as fossil. And both Elly and Connie are obviously on the way, though they think they're still pubescent young girls.

Oh, and I almost forgot...the pet bunny croaked and a busybody landlady nearly cooked it up in her famous rabbit stew.